The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-04-22
THE ATHLETES.
Games That Are Popular on This
COaSt-The Official taudicapDer-


COast-The Official Handicapped.
According 10 a late message from George D.
Baird, president of the Pacific Amateur Ath-
letic Union. there is a doubt regarding the
coming 10 this coast of any OF the famous East
ern athletes who had been selected by MIR.
Baird while sojOurning In New YORK.
Ii appears that the managers OF the Midwin-
ter Fair athletic sports have wisely concluded
that they had made huge blunder in bringing
to this city. at considerable expense, men who
were proficient in games that were decidedly
foreign TO the people of this city. The result,
of course, was failure financially.
Rugby football and lacrosse are, no doubt.
very interesting lines of sport which are largely
patroniZed In the countries In which they have
become popular, but when lie gentlemen WHO
compose the athletic auxiliary committee de-
cided % Introduce these games here with the
intention OIL scoring success financially, they
certainly must have been carried away by their
own enthusiasm and vivid imagination They
did not study the desire OF The people OF this
city who patrOniZe aIbrtic sports otherwise
they certainly would have HIT upon a very
Gin rent Dill OF fare. The fact OF the matter is
that the gentlemen who had leading voice i'm
the management OF affairs athletic overlooked
the games popular with the people OF this
country, and consequently thought that by
introducing something that would be foreign TO
home ule, so 10 speak, the people would flock
TO witness novelties IN the line OF outdoor suorf
The speculation ~ owed TO be a decided
failure, ana as Il result the athlefic auxiliary
committee Is now wondering what KIND of
sport the public VIII patronZe. II the rlghr
men had the management or affairs athletic
there would not be any need of speculation as
IL does not by any means require a mind
reader or logician 10 determln@ what games are
most popular with the spoft-lovlng public.
Probably few suggestions might prove
valuable TO the committee, now that it is in
need OF some attractions necessary to recoup
past financial losses.
In the first place introduce sports that the
people OF this city understand. Although base
ball is on the shelf at present there is no
doubt that a series of games between The lead
Ing professional teams representing the States
OF California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and
Utah would draw large and Interested gather
Ing of the lovers OF the national game.
As second attraction series OF handicap
shott-diStance races. not to exceed halt a mile.
belWet n the cracN bicycle riders OF the Pacific
Coast would draw immensely, as the wheel has
now taken the place Of the running shoe.
Third ana last, series of boxing bouts be-
tween the expert boxers OF the clubs that com.
pose the Pacific Amateur Athletic Union.
These contests cOnld be held on he recreation
grounds-that Is of course, with the sanction
OF the A. a. U.-and as there is at present con
siderable rivalry exlspng among the clubs, In
terest In the events would be decidedly spir-
tied.
The Introduction of foreign talent Is NONSENSE.
CAL for the very good reason that unless the
local athletes are capable OF rendering good ac-
counts OF themselves in competition with the
invaders, interest in the pastimes, Whatever
they may be. would prove undoubtedly tame
and lacking in spirit. So much for Midwlnter
Fair athletic sports.
The Olympic journal devoted to amateur
athletic sports. win Editor Elisha Cook a, the
helm, has recently come into existence. If its
future Is to be judged by the edition of April
IL, success is assured. The paper is we'll ed
lied and the reading matter Is instructive and
interesting. Although athletics are extensively
covered. fishing and shooting pastimrs are not
overlooked. These departments Will prove a
valuable addition to the journal.
The following article on wrestling. from the
pen of Professor Mlehllng, appeared III the last
number Of the olympic. As Mr.. Miehling is an
acknowledged authority on choke locks and
neck holds. his e1fusion Is certainly worthy OF
TepTeductinn:
"a wrestling tournament is on hand for next
month. and the interest it brings out In the
boys is ry>poticeable, especially among The
new men. In order 10 make the affair grand
success | shall expect he following men TO
enter: II. B. Graham, w. Haberly. Z. Wand
A. Peuee, Wallace, Dalton Qhe new big strong
NAM, Haw g, E. j. Gilbert, Werz. Goodban K.
w. and w. 5. Taylor, Perez, ClaXtOn, L. Carter,
Lagarde, K. Sebe, EcKert Branett, Kreling
q. FOnge. Bartlett, Scott, Brill, Crowell, Van
dali, Doer. Masury, Davis. Pape, Deacon, rhll-
lips, JOllitfe and A. Reid.
among these are many new faces to be
sure, but they will undoubtedly make sur
prising showing because of the good material
among them and the ambition so many show
10 shine in the world of The mat. | am doing
all In my power 10 make this coming tourna-
ment success and hope tile boys Will work
harder and come up oftener, not only for that
but TO get themselves In better form generally
as well to be ready should the club n ed
them TO assist IL In any contest that may Do
proposed.
"There has recently been a publication and
there is report around that w. Haberly LETT
the Olympic Club 10 join the Acmes in Oak
land. He rendered them some service ana
they made him an honorary member and from
that some smart reporter made up the warn
OlVmlip
He is not the Kind OF 2 man that deserts his
old friends for the new"
The Olympic Club has certainly lost vau-
able man In the resignation OF John Elliott, the
Official Handicapped of the Pacific Athletic
Union. 1t is extremely doubtful If Mr.. Elliort's
place can be filed by any person on this coast
so as To give general satisfaction There are
few men In America who possess as wide and
comprehensive knowledge of amateur ath-
letics as the gentleman who has recently re-
signed from position which lie has held for
many years. The Pacific Amateur Athletic
Union has nnauesiionahly lost its strongest
supporter. Elliott is the grand old man so far
as amateur athletics are concerned, and TO
sneak the truth, there is not a single person who
loves outdoor athletics qualified 10 step into the
shoes now left vacant by the resignation OF
Honest John. 1t Is hoped that the clubs OF he
ASSOCIATION VIII not forget to recognize Mr..
Elllotps past valuable services in some beht-
ting manner. as there Is no man connected with
pure amateur sport on this coast more entitled
10 the warmest recognition.
Tomorrow morning, without fail, the salt
water VIII be run into the tank at the Olympic
Club. Orders have been given the engineer az
the Ocean Beach 10 start the pumps at
o'clock, and by the middle OF the afternoon th,
tank will be full The water will come direct
from The ocean, as the reservoir is not yet
ready TO receive IL. For that reason, as the
pipes are rusty, the first few tanksfuI Will be
filtered. After that, however, The water will be
clean enough for immediate US. Cards an
nouncing the event have been tackled up in all
the prominent places In the club building.