The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1898-08-07
OFFICIAL ANNoUNcERS.

New York.-Among the officials who
conduct athletic games and bicycle
race meets the referee is usually looked
upon as the most important. That Is
so because in him are vested the pow
ers of final decision on all doubtful
points as well as several other duties
OF an arbitrary nature. From the
standpoint of the competitors he Is
undoubtedly the most important OF the
officials, not excepting the starter. But
the spectators care little about him.
In their estimation there is only one
official worthy of much Of their atten-
ton. He is the announcer, the man
who tells them who was first across
the tape, who was second, who third,
what the time was and all other de-
tails regarding the progress OF the
tournament
Not many years ago there was no
such parsonage as an official announc-
er. In those days the results were
posted up on a bulletin board at ath-
letic meetings, and those of the specta-
tors who were blessed with good eye
sight could keep track OF the con-
tests. Much faultfinding was the ma
tural result, and the old Williams
burg Athletic Club, of New York, was
management of that club hit upon the
idea of departing from the antiquated
telegraph board" custom, which we
inherited from our English cousins.
In its place a strong-lunged man was
appointed to shout out the results OF
the several events to the crowd as soon
as they were decided. The scheme
made a big hit and has been made use
of at practically all sporting tourna-
ments ever since.
At first the official announcer de-
pended solely on the carrying power OF
his voice in discharging his duties
That was not always satisfactory, par
ticularly in cases OF large crowds. The
vocal strain was such that the voice
of the announcer often gave out long
before the conclusion Of the tourna-
ment. Then all the spectators could
hear was a series Of hoarse sQuawks,
which carried no meaning to the ear.
This disadvantage has been overcome,
too. The modern instrument, known
as the megaphone, has been seized up
on by the official announcer, and with
its aid he can send tremendous vol
umes of sound to any corner OF the
sporting inclosure without much wear
and tear Of his thorax. He holds the
cornucopia-looking affair to his lips,
aims it's muZzle at the persons he Is
addressing and talks in an ordinary
tone His message Is thrown to Its
recipients, as a roar from a cave.
When bicycle racing became one OF
the recognized sports the official an
nouncer played an important role
right from the start. Not only was he
found to be a necessary adjunct in in
forming the patrons Of race meets of
what was going on, but he was called
upon to help the clerk Of the course In
getting the contestants out on their
marks promptly. Women preparing
for the theater are less dilatory than
lot of cyclists making ready for their
races. The clerk OF the course Of
ten verges upon insanity in trying to
get his men to the starting point In
quick time so as to prevent annoying
delays between races.
The oldest announcer In point OF
service as we'll as the best known is
Frederick w. Burns, an athlete Of
great skill IN his youth and an all
around sportsman. He is familiar
figure at all sporting events Of note,
his deep baritone voice OF extraordin-
ary reaching qualities making him
particularly adapted to the office. At
boxing tournaments, as well as at ath-
letic and bicycle contests, Burns has
oficiated as announcer for almost
score of years. He understands the
requirements OF the position perfectly
and the chief value of hts work is that
he talks slowly and distinctly, every
word he utters being audible. The ac-
companying illustration was made
from a photograph taken specially for
this article at a recent bicycle race
meet at the Manhattan Beach track. 1t
shows Mr.. Burns, armed with his meg
aphone and programme, ready to in
form the occupants OF crowded grand
stand the results Of the races.
Mr.. Burns has been associated with
amateur sports from his boyhood days.
Following the fortunes OF the original
Williamsburg Athletic Club, he became
a member Of the Brooklyn Athletic
Association when that organization
succeeded the Williamsburgs. Next
he figured prominently with the Mas
sau Athletic Club and Varuna Boat
Club. He was also one Of the mem
bers of the first lacrosse team of the
United States to attain anything like
national renown. He is now an en-
thusiastic bicyclIst, devoting his ener-
gies to the subject OF highway i'm
proyement He is q member Of th5
Executive Committee Of the Good
Roads Association of the United States,
in which capacity he has been success
full in working several reforms.
His popularity as an announcer is
due in no small measure to his keen
sense of humor. He is quick to appre-
cfate an opportunity for q witty sally,