The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-28
The Investigating Committee Is
After Professional
ScalpS.
WARM NIGHT AT THE CLUB.
President Eaton Would Be Pleased t.
See Copy of the Amateur
Rules.

The investigation committee of the Pa
ciic Amateur Athletic Association, con-
sisting of John Elliott of the Olympic
Club, w. Berry of the Reliance Club and
w. f. Humphrey, president of the associa-
ton, met last evening at the Olympic Club
to continue the Investigations of athletes
who have been charged with professional
ism.
AS The CALL representative was on his
way to the meeting-room he met the presi-
dent of the Olympic Club, Mr.. Eaton, and
held a short interview with that gentle
man on the subject at issue.
Regarding the manner IN which the Off
GERS of the association conducted business,
this is what Mr.. Eaton had to say. and
there was good sound logic in his words ::
Wei mean the Olympic Club" said
Mr.. Eaton, cannot very well understand
what the Pacific Amateur Athletic Asso-
citation intends we should do in this mat
ter of prize offering. 1 have been told by
some one that the Olympic Club, to re-
main mem Der of this Amateur Athletic
Union of the United States must abide by
its laws.
This may be all well and good. but
how are the officers of this club going to
regulate athletic matters with a view of
keeping within the laws of the so-called
union when they are ignorant of the
rules?
II for one do not know positively
whether an athlete should receive $35 or
500 prize in case he proves q successful
competitor in boxing match or a wrest-
ling tournament.
1.-THE officers of this Pacific Association
have been hauling US over the Goals from
time to time for doing things that they
contend are contrary to rule; but how are
We to know right from wrong when we
have no rules to guide us? | have fire.
quentlly asked the gentlemen of this Pacific
Association for book OF laws
by which this club can place
itself in clear light whenever
disputes arise regarding amateur affairs,
ETC., but my request has proven futile and
possibly we may have, under the existing
circumstances, transgressed some OF the
laws of the Amateur Union.
Il hope this thing will be settled quickly
and that this club will understand its posi-
ton as regards its standing, athIetically
speaking, with the governing powers"
Al Lean, who is an Instructor in the
Reliance Club of Oakland, said, in answer
TO questions, that he was acquainted with
the amateur rules of ten years ago, but did
not know anything about the rules of the
present day. He confessed that during a
visit of the Butte City football team he
offered Fentress and Williamson $35
prize, which meant an order for anything
they pleased to that value, if they would
wrestle before the club.
Fentress said to an officer of the Pacific
Association on leaving the Olympic Club
at a recent meeting that he was offered a
$37 80 trophy to wrestle. In fact he adj
mitted that the prize be wrestled for was
In value more than the amateur associ-
alton allowed.
James Lawlor admitted that he had con-
tested on two occasions for prizes that
consisted of clothes and medals under the
colors of the Acme Club.
w. Kennedy, the superintendent of the
Olympic Club, when questioned said that
the only member of the Olympic Club
baseball team he had given money to was
Cooney, and that the baseball team which
played against professionals was contest
ing as an individual team and not as
representative OF the Olympic Club; that
he had not seen a copy of the rules that
govern amateur athletics, and conse-
quently did not know that his Colts were
overstepping the amateur traces.
Frank Smith, the boxer, said that he
was not representative of boxing COM
bination which demanded certain
monetary consideration before any of its
me m bers would consent to box at anna
teur entertainments.
Kennedy cross-questioned Smith re-
garding prizes, and the latter finally adj
mitted that he would box for a $50 prize if
such an inducement was offered him.
Smith also allowed that he received $40
for training expenses, which is, of course,
contrary to rule.
The result of the Investigations has so
far proven that very little respect has been
shown amateur ruling on this coast.
What course the Pacific Association will
take in the matter is only mere coniec-
ture, but it has been limited that the trans
gressors of the amateur rules will be given
to understand that severe Judgment will
be melted out TO those who will so far forget
themselves in the future as to disobey the
rules of the amateur union. The investi-
cations will be resumed on Friday evening
neYt