The times., 1898-02-06

1t has come to pass. College and athletic
club baseball teams and the Individual
players thereof must register with the
Amateur A. .nletic Union registration COM
mittee, and all games must have a sane
tion from that same Autocratic A. L.
Where will ihis stop? No one knows. II
is believed mat it viii only stop when
this ridiculous movement has nun the
thing into the ground, and when the am
ateur athler',s in all lines viii Tise en-
masse and break up the whole business.
Well, l almost forgot that the predic-
ton jestinEly made in this column a fort
might ago has been borne out, and that
lie that billiard players who compete
In open or interclub or match games must
register. Ii seems scarcely possible, but it
is true, ner ut heless, a nd the order is 10
the effect that 'on and after Februa ry
10 all amateur players in these tourna-
ments must obtain sanction, and all
amateur pla ;ers who play in these tourna-
mentsmust 1e reGlsteTe wi; n he A. a. u
Now, what do you think If that? Next
will be the regist ration of tennis and GRO
quet players, and then towing men, and
marbles may be put on the blacklist!
In the mea utime, the game of basketball
is the most fruitful for iaisine revenue for
the Golfers II the Union, and teams and
players eve -ywhere are set down and
taken up on payment of the necessary
levy.
Now, IL is agreed on all sides that it
is an excellent thing for the a. A. L.
TO foster AIN ateur athletics and keep
the various games clean and free from
Intrusion by professionals and all that,
but, please, for the love Of sport, tell
me how il is possible TO mix up basketball
with professionalism when there are no
professionals TO play with? The latter
have not thought of taking up the game.
and when they do it viii he time enough
FOR the A. A. U. TO put out it's shielding
arm and make rules and laws aud draw
the siern line between the amateurs and
- r'~1''v-InaIlers. Tn" members OF clubs
and the clubs themselves are already
burdened enough with paying fees, dues
and expenses generally, without putting
on an additional tax for competing in
this or that game.
y halt should be called, and this is a
good time 20 call it.
>-uiA-..Ilr Athletic Club.
on next Wednesday viii occur the
annual election Of officers TO serve the
Columbia a thletic Club for the ensuing
year. Polls viii be open from TO
O'Clock p. IN. The nominations which |
closed en- Wednesday night last were very |
numerous ana this fact points TO all in
fxar.a ssNa.r .sa ~.
competition, no doubt, for several of the |
places OF honor, The more competition, the
more widespread the interest, and the
management invites good healthy COM |
petition of the manly, upright sort"
The suggestion that the club hold an open |
set OF indoor games for the District cham !
pionship may shortly take some definite
shape with view, If il is found feasible, to /
hold the games about the middle of next |
month. These games would afford an ex- /
cellent opportunity to sthletic aspirsnts in
all lines in tho various clubs of the District
20 try for athletic honors. This seems TO be 1
one thing needed TO awaken an interest
hereahouts IN all-round athletic lines.
A. j. McElhone, the clubs champion |
high Jumper. is back gain and axes regular
practice in the gym. lie may take q
notion TO set up a new record the coming
season In the running high jump. A. Y.
Bradley Is showing decided improvements in
DIS work and clears the yaulting bar In
clean, Strong fashion. He is built 10 jump.
George Curtis is doing some good Jump
Ing and pole vaalting. To the already large
squad of Jumpers c. Swormstedt has been |,
added. He Is very promising performer.
or all the good bae punchers Powell
seems the most finished. He makes merry
music In the gym when he rings his varia-
tons on the inflated pigskin.
Dorsey Browns wing is staIl on the