Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-25
THE A. A. 4. BACKDowN.
A. G. Mills Refuses to Countenance II and
Resigns.

Resigns.
While A. G. Mills has not been a member Of
the world fair committee Of the amateur sth-
letic committee, still he has upon invitation
taken prominent part in the discussions and
acts OF that body. A. G. Spslding occupies Q
similar attitude, and both gentlemen have been
doing all in their power 10 assist in the ar
rangements for the championship meeting to
be held at Chicago. Things ran along smoothly
until Saturdays meeting in New York, says tn.
Sun, when a radical difference OF opinion arose
between Mr.. Mills and the members OF the COM
mittee, those present in addition to Mr.. Mills
being Howard Perry. F. X. Stearns, ]. L. sulli-
van. W. b. Curtis and A. q. Spalding.
The trouble occurred during the meeting OF
the board OF governors OF the A A. T.. in the
midst Of which Mr.. Mills suddenly arose and
with some warmth OF manner announced thai
he would have nothing further TO do with the
arrangements. He put his resignation in
writing and Immediately withdrew from the
meeting.
Mr.. Mills action caused something OF a SEN
saton. especially in view OF the fact Of his prom
lnene IN athletic matters and the ability which
he brings TO discussion OF affairs Of that charac-
ter. An attempt was made TO keep the affair
secret, but IL leaked ont, did also the reason
Tor Mr.. Mills action. The disagreement related
to the reinstatement of professionals. Ats meet
Ing OF the board held on November a TIE fol-
lowing resolution was adopted:
hereby dereed ny the board OF rov-rro, Of the
amateur Atnletlr Union that from and IN date
NoNemt er 81. lSsl2. professional athletes b. and
they are hereby. disqualified from reinstat-ment as
and such disqualification shall removed by TIA:
bosrd by tue board OF Of any
which Is . member Of this union.
That was a complete shut-out for profess
SIGNALS, who had no chance for reinstatement
IL appeared, however, that large number Of
disqualifod athletes in the Metropolitan Associ-
alton had applied tor reinsta teme n some months
previous to the adoption OF the resolution, and
their cases were pending at the time. Il wss
argued that the passage Of the rules would
work hardship to those applicants who would
thus be debarred from even a hearing and rels-
gated permanently 10 the professional ranks.
In that respect the rule was q retroactive one
After considerable discussion the above rsso-
luton was repealed and the following substa-
tuted:
No person shs'l be reinstated an amateur Who be-
comes. professional after February l6 1884 and
come professionals before that date shall Be- reosived
and scted upon only by the board Of governors of The
A. A L..
1t can easily be seen that the change IN the
rule opened the doors TO those disqualified
men who have petltioned for reins tssement in
the past The latter proposition seemed to
meet the approval Of nearly all except Mr..
arguments were OF no avail and he thereupon
withdrew from the meeting and washed his
hands of the entire affair.
Mr.. Mills was very much surprised when
questioned in regard 10 the matter, and de-
clined to discuss the subject He also refused
TO say whether he had resigned from ~ con
mittee.