The San Francisco call., 1897-04-16
OLYMPIC CLUB
HAS WITHDRAWN
The Amateur Athletic
Union Loses a Great
Western Member.
Eastern Laws Are Not Accept.
able to the Local
Athletes.
Joe Cans and NJ. Leonard Have Been
Matched to Fight Twenty
Rounds.

The Olympic Club has seeded from the
Amateur Athletic Union and the propo-
sition now is 10 form a California Ath-
letic Associa tion, which will have its own
laws independent of the rulings of the
union.
The directors at meeting held last
evening discussed the question of with
dra wing from the union very thoroughly
and they concluded that it was about
time that something drastic must
be accomplished to sustain amateur
athletics and restore the interest IL the
sports which have retrograded to an
alarming extent owing to the severe laws
imposed by the union.
President Newhau said that the club
had contem plated Withdrawing from the
union since January last.
"I cannot see where this club has
benefited in the leas by being a member
of this august body" said Mr.. Newhall.
I'VE are represented by only one indi-
yidual in the Pacific Athletic Association,
and Judge club with such a powerful
mem bership as the Olympic should at
least have three representatives In the
association.
why, the South End Rowing Club,
which is composed of comparatively few
mem bers, has as much TO say in the meet
ings OF the association as this club, and as
result OF this unreasonable comparison
we (the Olympic CIub) have been over
ruled in almost everything that has been
suggested by our representative for the
best interests of the club.
'To cap the climax this man Casper
Whitney. who is the mouthpiece OF the
union and whose writings in an Eastern
| weekly journal have aroused the ire OF
thousands of athletes. made d most vicious
attack upon the directors OF this institu-
tion soon after the Olympic-B Butte City
football game, which was held in Central
Park last January.
"The writer of the article in question &C.
| cused US of fostering professional athletes
| and that amateur athletics on this coast
| were in very decayed condition.
"The A. A. o., as far as I can see, has
| mover been friendly to the amateur ath-
letes of the Pacific Coast and it is through
| the rulings of that body that the present
condition of athletic affairs here must be
attributed.
I'VE can form an association which can
ve-y well afford to take care of itself with
| out the so-cal ed assistance of the Amer j.
can Athletic Union, and with that obiec,
in view our secretary has been instruc ted
to correspond with the secretaries of the
various amateur athletic clubs of thi:
State. many of which have already prom
| lsed to sever connection with the union
| when the matter of forming Pacific asso
citation Is ready for discussion
Howard Taylor, who is leader of the
| club, expressed his views on the question
| of secession from the union at the meet
/ ing of last evening. He said that he die
not wish to display sentiment of ingrat
| itude for the apparent effort o
the Pacific Association to carry
| out the laws maintained by the
union, but that if those laws are
not consistent with the wishes of the ath.
| letes of this coast new rules and regula
| tions must be made which will be accept
| able to the athletes who are now in
| disgruntled and dissatisfied state of mind
Mr.. Taylor advocated better prizes ano
| better treatment for athletes. He be
lieved that a grand athletic associa'
| ton could easily be formed on
this coast and that athletic sport.
of all kinds would flourish under
laws that will meet the wishes of amateur
athletes, who are now protesting aga ms
the rulings of the American Athletic
| Union.
| The club will give grand boxing enter
| tainment in May, and the secretary an
| nounced that the cluo had consummated
a match between Joe Cans, the clever
colored pugilist of Baltimore and Nj.
Leonard of New York.
The men will fight at 1873 pounds, and
| as they are said to be well matched, a rat
Ting good mill is looked for. 1t is quite
probable that ]. Jeffries and Steve O'Don.
| nell will also be matched. A telegram
from ODonnell is expected to-day.