The San Francisco call., 1896-08-16
the case it is not to be wondered at that so
| MANY violations of the rule occur.

the case it is not to be wondered at that so
many violations of the rule occur.
About month ago received letter
from an athletic friend in New York. in
which said friend cast some severe refiec-
tions upon the association and athletics
in general on this coast. | have not
showed the letter to any one, consequently
am not betraying any confidence. l
have laid it aside carefully, intending to
answer it in print when opportunity oc-
Cured.
We read that when we try to pick
mote or speck out of our neighbor's eye it
is wise first to cast the beam or log out OF
our own eye, in order that we may see
clearly. If an atom of dust has lodged in
your eye certainly you would not call
upon one who has cinder in his own to
help you.
Eastern athletics are corrupt and honey
comoed to an extent that we know little of
out here. The New York Athletic Club,
for instance, has its grounds on Travers
Is and, a beautiful spot on Long Island
Sound, near the metropolis. During the
season it is the policy of the club to keep"
team of athletes in constant training.
There is trainer in attendance, with as
sistants if necessary. training-table,
lodgings, and l am even informed that
clothing is furnished.
To put it in another way, these athletes
have no visible means of support outside
of the club; and they are provided with
all the necessaries of life on consideration
of their representing the club in such races
as the management may direct. Ii
any one on the team while in train
ing desires leave of absence it
is necessary to cut any quantity OF red
tape in order to get away. For as much
as three months at a time these men, un-
der the guise of being amateurs, are har-
bored by an organization, the Oldest in the
East, which should be the citadel and high
tower of pure amateurism, but which is
really professional at heart.
The true amateur athlete is the one who
earns his daily bread and INDUCES in exer-
else ana racing because he enjoys it, and
because it makes him strong. But how can
such a one hope to compete with those
who devote the same time and attention
that the professional gives to it?
A man leaning over a desk, writ
ing for dear life, scarcely moving all day,
in an office that has little sun in it; or one
laboring over some trade like upholster-
ing for nine hours day-how can such
men hold their own against those who
live at the track and spend most of their
time on it?
| call to mind the name of III. III. Baxter,
who won the cham pionship of America at
pole vaulting from 1888 to 1886, and for
many years held the best on record. Mr..
Baxter was an heir to considerable for.
tune and had all the leisure he desired to
humor his inclinations. But such in
stances are rare; fortunately for bona
fde amateurs the wealthy young men
of our country find hard training too much
like work; I say fortunately" as be-
lieve it is impossible to legislate or provide
against it. But in the instances where
young men with no visible means of sup
port are taken up by some wealthy club,
fed and housed for months at a time, with
dark rumors floating around about cloth
ing and spendingmoney Provided say
it is not healthy for true amateur athlet-
les, nor is it good for the morals or the
future of the young men in question.
There is an opportunity for Mr.. Whitney
to show his zeal for Immaculate athletics
by letting the under dog alone for while,
and hitting the big fellow for a change, for
he needs il. GEO. d. BAIRD.