Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-02-16
Club Accused Of Making Improper
Offers to Athletes,
HELD A SECRET MEETING.
Charges Made by Central Association
Of the Amateur Athlete
Union.

The Chicago Tribune, this morning,
says:
"rhe Chicago Athletic association,
Frank w. Wentworth, and VIM. Hale
Thompson and nineteen athletes for
merry connected with the Cherry Circle
have been suspended by the Central
association Of the Amateur Athletic
union. The charge against the club 10
offering inducements In the way OF club
house privileges to the athletes TO OBJ
tain their services for the various
teams. The Charge against VIM. Hale
Thompson and Frank W. Wentworth
is that they refused to give testimony In
the cases and the charge against the
athletes is that they received compen-
sation for athletic services.
This action was taken at the secret
meeting held some time ago, but the
decision withheld by the Amateur Ath-
letic union officials In the hope that
Wentworth and Thompson would tes-
tify.
The action cuts off the Chicago Ath-
letic association from participating In
any open events OF the Amateur
Athletic union until reinstated. The
association will be reinstated when II
proves IL did not offer inducements to
the athletes or when the Amateur
Athletic union decides that the Chi
cago organization has been sufficiently
punished
The Amateur Athletic union officials
don't believe the present regime at the
club is to be blamed too severely FOR
the work carried on under other admin
lstrations and so II Is likely the sus-
pension viii be only temporary and the
registration committee In a short time
will reinstate the big club.
The athletes suspended are: Arthur
II. Pixley, p. A. Wellington, w. l..
Sheppard, Jr, II, c. Kirkhoff. II. p.
Huxley. A. +. Van Dooser. +. u. Buell.,
j. r. Hudelson. II. c. LOOMS. p. II.
Draper, l.. F. Baeder. II. Il. Choulnard.
w. F. Slater, c. w. MoDaniels, H. G.
MADDEN. j. f. Byrnes, II. Paulman, II.
NJ. Foss, p. S. Graver.
OF these men paulman, Foss and
Graver owed trnIng amounts, which
they paid NJ the time Of the first hear
Ing by the American Athletic union.
Their suspension was announced be-
cause II was believed they accepted the
privileges In the same spirit as the
others. every one OF whom was an
athletic member whose membership
lapsed with the Inauguration Of the
present administration over a year ago.
When the bills we're received the
athletes AT once refused to pay them,
asserting they had been promised the
privileges OF the club free Of charge In
return FOR their athletic service. The
Chicago Athletic association upon their
refusal asked the Central association
American Athletic union to expel the
men.
Tie trial was held and the men all
testified that they had been promised
these privileges free In consideration OF
their services on the athletic teams Of
the club. William Hale Thompson and
Frank w. Wentworth were mentioned
as the men having made the promises
The American Athletic union asked for
the testimony Of these men, but Il was
not forthcoming Then began a search.
ing inquiry by President Liginger and
Or. G. X. Herman, officers OF the Cen.
trail association into the methods pur-
sued by the club.
The testimony Of the athletes was
unanimous on the point. The Chicago
Athletic association could not prove the
contrary 10 the satisfaction Of the
Amateur Athletic union. or did not tes-
tify at all In some cases. Accordingly.
after a long consideration the Amateur
Athletic union officials decided the men
were no more guilty than the club, 80
took the action Of suspending the club
and.the athletes, and Messrs. Thompson
and Wentworth.
The club asked for the suspension Of
the athletes on the ground OF non-pay-
ment Of debts owed the club. but upon
investigation President Llginger, OF the
Amateur Athletic union declared yes
terday he did not believe the athletes
owed the club dollar. as II seemed
clear they had been promised the privil-
eyes which the checks and debts repre-
scented.
The Central Athletic association may
appeal the case 10 the National body.
but the Central officials say they do not
believe the club will be 30.