Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-31
dead letter by the chief actors at trotting
meetinoa
How It Pays to Be Fair.

q dead letter by the chief actors at trotting
meetings.
How It Pays to Be Fair.
A few weeks ago 1 had something to say
about the unfair treatment that tho Pitts
burg amateur swimmers received at Phila-
delphia. Secretary Page, OF the Three AS,
has filed no protest, as he thinks that would
be useless, but the other day he told me OF
a very interesting incident that has taken
place during the week.
The Philadelphia Swimming Club was
again in need of entries, and although tine
entries were closed for the contests OF last
evening, the Philadelphia Secretary wrote
Mr.. Flower, of the Three AS, asking him
TO compete. This request was handsd to
Secretary Page. who. by the way, is just
earnestness and as much OF gentle
man as anybody 1 know Of Secre-
tary Page replied to the request
and the reply was such that the Secretary
of the Philadelphia club will probably re-
gret that he ever did such a foolish thing as
request the entry of Mr.. Flower.
Secretary Page very iorcibly pointed out
that in view of the fact that Pittsburgers
received such remarkably unfair treatment
when competing at Philadelphia not long
ago there was no assurance that the same
plan Of preventing Pittsburgers from win
ming prizes would not be put in operation
again. 1t is not likely that either Mr..
Flower or Mr.. Taylor or any other Pitts
burg mateur swimmer will give the Phlla-
delphia fellows another chance to knock
their (the Pittsburgers0 heads off for some
time to come.
And the resolve of Secretary Page is a
correct one. According to the evidence OF
people who witnessed the contests in which
this blackguardism took place, the treat
ment OF the Pittsburgers was simply an out
rage. The directors OF the swimming club
have made no explanation nor expressed any
regret yet, and they cannot expect swim
mers from other cities to contest in their
events simply to be the victims of foul play.
The manifest uniairness will have bad
effect on their club.
Speaking of swimming reminds me that
the other day friend of mine told me that
the Manhattan Athletic Club, New York,
would like to have Mr.. Flower on its roll of
membership. During the week just ended
one or two New York swimmers were in the
city, and they approached Mr. Flower on
the matter, but the Pittshurger means to
stay with tine Three AS. He will be very
sensible if he does.
Doin-s of tbs Lending Pugilists.
Things have indeed been very quiet
among the pugilists during the we elk. The
only event OF anything like note that has
taken place was the battle between George
Dawson, the Australian, and Danny Need
ham, at welter-weight 1 had nothing to
say about the contest before it took place
simply because there We're features con-
nected with it that 1 knew nothing about,
or at most very little. But was not sur
prised at Needham's defeat, because he met
a remarkably good man in Dawson, and one
who has always stood punishment in the
most extraordinary manner. 1t was this
staying quality almost entirely that gave
him the victory. But he can use his hands
we'll also and can hit hard, as Needham
found out Needham, of course, was the
cleverer, but he simply winded himself in
trying to knock the Australian out, and in
this it seems to me that he placed his blows
very badly
But Needham has been a very unfortunate
man. He is one of the best of pugilists at
his weight and he invariably meets defeat
There must be something wrong in his
judgment or in the judgment of his seconds,
because just as sure as he gets to a critical
stage he gets beaten. And we cannot say
it is because of lack of pluck, for he is GER
tainly very game man.
II Tom Ryan is still what his followers
claim he is, we may expect contest be-
tween him and Dawson. IF the pair are
matched the contest will be an interesting
one and it may be that Ryan will meet
defeat.
Cam OF Get Man for Fifz.
And certainly there has been and is still
Fitzsimmons during the big week in next
September. All hope of Pritchard' s coming
has been killed, but few people think
that Hall may be here. As matters look
there is not much prospect of substantial
purse being offered to Hail and Pritchard
in England and that may force Hall to re-
turn here at once. But if he does come he
will not fight at middle-weiqht, and the
truth is he is not eager to meet Fitzsimmo&
at any weight If he was the pair would
have fought long ago, as there has always
been very big purse ready for them.
There is talk of putting Costello up
against Fitzsimmons The desire for this is
not very strong among the Olympic Club
directors and it is safe to say that Ed
Smith would be a much better man than
Costello to face the middle-weight cham
pion.
1t will be pity if a worthy opponent is
not secured for Fitzsimmons. President
Noel, of the Olympic Club. deserves sue
cess in his arrangements, for certainly he has |
made the most remarkable and most enter
prising offers on record. The great offers of
the club for three contests in one week and
the unimpeachable character of President
Noel and his colleagues place the club far
ahead of any club of the kind that has |
figured before the world. Depend upon it,
there is great nerve required to speculate as
the Olympic Club does
Corbett and Sullivan in Training.
We continue to read and hear all kinds of |
stories regarding Corbett and Sullivan. |
Some of these stories have Sullivan living |
in the most appro, ed style of lazness and |
"booze." And the other day 1 read a story |
written by New York newspaper man |
which said that Corbett is not training at !
all and that he is only leading the life of |
fast young dandy.
Well, I don't believe anything Of the |
kind. Just as sure as we live Corbett and |
Sullivan are doing their best to get into the |
very best condition possible. There is an
immense prize at stake; much TOO big to
trihe about Most assuredly Sullivan is
trying to get into condition, but whether he |
will succeed or not is another matter 1t is
hard to believe that he will be in as good |
condition as he ever was in his life, while it
is easy to see how Corbett can be in better
than he has ever been before. But
while Sullivan may not get into the very
'pink O. condition" he is likely to be in |,
good shape if all accounts of his
training are true. And if he is only in !
tolerable shape it will make matters more
interesting, because if he was in his best
possible condition he would soon defeat
Corbett in glove fight
There are also many conflicting rumors
rs to the weight at which the men will
light Let me state that at this stage no.
body can tell. AS far as Sullivan is con-
cerned it is quite easy to make mistake of