The morning call., 1894-12-02
ATHLETIC.
Work Done at the Annual Meeting OF
the Amateur Athletic Union.


William Curtis, who is better known proba-
bly, by amateur athletes as Father BILL" is
now the president of the Amateur Athletic
Union, having been elected 10 that Office al the
annual meeting. held lew DAYS ago 10 New
YORK. julius Harder and Walter simpson were
CHOSEN Vice-preSidepts and j. h. sullivan was
again hon0red with The position OF secretary.
The most important matter transacted oesloes
The election OF officers and the appointment OF
committees Was provision Tor an Increased
revenue. TEiS was absolutely necessary II the
parent body" of all amateur athletic assoela-
tons was 10 be preserved from financial desue-
rude. Al The last annual meeting IL had Deen
toreseen that the financial system would nave
10 be renovated.
Father Bill" Curtis, as member of COM
mittee named for that purpose, devised plan
which was submitted to thrpresidenl, and not
heard OF aferward. II was 10 impose TAX OF
10 cents per annum each upon the members OF
the clubs, The asSOcial ions 10 remit hall OF the
same to the treasury OF the a. A. U. This sim
pie put ingenious plan was again proposed at
the meeting yesterday. It was not adopted,
however IN that form. Instead, speclhc spe-
clal assessment upon the associations of So per
club was ordered, and Mr.. Curtis Was directed
TO prepare an amendment 10 article ii. section
2, OF the constli ution, raising The annual dues
TO SO Tor each club.
a. w. Harper OF Portland, Or, was REIN
stated. Z. b. Bloss of the Boston Athletic AS
soclatlon was allowed record for running
hoD, step and jump of As feet inches made at
the A. A. Z. championship meeting "a Chicago,
September l6, 1898.
The constitution OF the Pacific NOrthWe stern
Association was approved.
The proposition to compel athletes TO wear
only their OwD club col0rs at handicap games
failed TO receive tie required number of votes.
On behalf of The Pacific Association Mr.
curtis read the following letter from Colonel
Edwards of the University of California, Berke-
ley, dated November l, 1894:
james E.. SuiJtUdn, Esq. Secretary 4. Il. u
DEAR SIR: In our efforts to determine the bound
airy line between amate ism sid prof esSionalism
the ex cuttye committee OF the Athletic Assocta
ton OF the Univ ersity OF California feel the need
of advice and Interpretation from higher au-
thority, and for that has requested me to
ask certain specific questions of the BIO ara OF gov
ernors oil the Amateur Athletic Union. The ques-
lions are:
90 If a student athlete accepts membership In
an athletic club as an honorary member does he
forfeit his amateur standing?
(b) II a student athlete accepts membership
upon the agreement of members OF the club that
he shall not be called upon for his imitation fee,
nor for the ordinary monthly dues, does he there
by forfeit his amateur standing?
(c) Ii in add ton (b) the club or a member of
the club furnishes the new member with running
shoes. and with his track suit does he forfeit his
ca II the club provides training table and the
new member lives there at the expense CT the
club, does he forfeit his amateur standing?
(e) IL man becomes member upon the prom
Use OF club members to obtain a business position
for MIN after the season Is over, does he become
professional?
What has prompted the above questions Is the
fact that rival athletic clubs offer Gin or
another of the above suggested forms) mem ber-
ship to college athletes. partial remedy seems
TO lie in the prohibiting of membership in
two clubs unless the member pay full initiation
and ull dues.
IT would not be to the best interests of amateur
athletics to debar tho poor young man who is not
able to pay heavy fee heavy dues but those
who are selling themselves (perhaps not for dol
lars and cents) ought to be put where they be-
long. Very sincerely yours,
GEORGE C. EDWARDS.
1t was resolved TO appoint committee of
three to confer with the Inter Collegiate A. A.
ON the points raised in the letter from MIR. Ed
wards
Each association was directed TO appoint a
committee of Two To investigate the amateur
standing of the athletes and report TO special
committee COMPOSED OF John Stell, w. B.
Curtis and II. ~ cMlan.
On motion OF julius Harder, 1t was resolved
that the secretary OF The A. a. Z. should sub
nit 10 the secretary OF each association a series
OF questions as TO The standing OF the clubs.
A report is required by October l. The
North American Turner Bund pressed for the
adoption of a resolution to take steps TO foster
gymnastic exercises IN all public schools. The
resolution was adopted The following board
OF governors for the West was then elected for
The year, viz: Pacific Association, George C..
Edwards and w. q. Harrison; Pacific North
west Association. II. L. Judge ana &. g. Rowe.
Harvard Is anxious TO join Yale and meet
Oxford and Cambridge in an athletic contest ON
either side Of the ocean next year.
1t is very likely that Oxford aud Cambria pc
will send an athletic team TO this country next
season. providing Yale and Harvard will COM
takes place Pennsylvania should be allowed 10
faa