The Washington times., 1905-12-17
By DR.. WILLIAM GRANT.

Inc HTst afucle is as follows:
By DIR. WILL,
Owing 10 the recent disturbances in
trict Of Columbia. due to the unfor-
tunate position in which several regis
tered men find themselves for breaking
rules of the Amateur Athletic Union,
and the predictions in some of the news
paper articles that organized amateur
athletics there would be wiped out If the
rules were strictly enforced, the writer
has thought this an excellent oppor-
tunity to inform those most directly con-
cerned and the public at large more
fully about the objects. aims. and laws
of the A. A. L. These matters are alb
solutely unknown to a large proportion
of athletes. many of whom have been
active in competitions for many years.
because they have not taken the trouble
TO read the constitution and laws Of the
national body under which they were
working
Now that a number of prominent ath-
letes seem 10 have broken the A A. l..
rules, and no doubt Will be punished as
provided. there has arisen a fear in
some quarters that the elimination of
semi-professiouals and professionals viii
kill sports in Washington, but careful
consideration will show that nothing
but good can come from protecting the
true amateur from those who have not
the right TO claim that title.
Until fifteen years ago athletics were
run in a haphazard manner in this
country. there being no recognized head
to formulate rules. etc. Several OF the
largest organizations finally got together
and organized the Amateur Athletic
Union OF the United States. Its aims
and objects were set forth as follows:
Objects of A. A. u
Article II-Constitution.
The encourag cement OF systematic
physical exercise and education in the
United States.
2 The Improvement and promotion
of athletic sports among amateurs
Tbe INCORPORATION OF all eligible
amateur athletic clubs in the United
states into such separate associations
of ch,bs. with active membership and
representation in this union. as may,
from time TO time, be deemed best
sdanted TO advance the cause OF anna
teur athletics throughout the United
States. and to foster and promote the
interests of the several clubs
a The establishment and maintenance.
by allied membership or otherwise, OF
alliances with associations of general or
special Jurisdiction. and composed or
climbs or otherwise designated bodies Of
individual members. devoted wholly or
partially 20 physical culture or TO some
speciality in athletics
). The establishment and maintenance
throughout the United States of a uni
form test OF amateur standing. and uni
form rules for the government OF all
athletic sports within it's Jurisdiction.
6. The institution, regulation, and
awarding of the amateur athletic cham
pionships Of the United States.
:. The promotion of national State.
and local legislation in the interest OF
the institution OF public gymnasia. baths
and fields for track and field amateur
sports in the United States.
g. The institution of a bureau OF
records covering all branches OF anna
teur sport in the United States
Met Great Success.
With such large field to cover it is
not surprising to know that the Union
was a success from the start. It's growth
was very rapid. and today it includes
membership of s5.5Se, of whom 1926 are
actively engaged in some form OF ath-
letics. The total value OF property
owned by the various organizations IS
sl2oI7O5
The results Of systematic supervision
were so great that the United States
was divided into nine districts. with
governing bodies which are represented
at the annual meeting of the parent
union. The various Independent associa-
tions which have formed alliances with
the A. A. L. and whose athletes are
elibible 10 compete in its meets. are
the North American Gymnastic Union.
intercollegiate Amateur Athletic Asso-
citation Of America. Athletic League OF
Y NJ. Q. AS OF North America. Military
Athletic League. National Cycling As
ISOLATION. Canadian Amateur Athletic
Union. whose combined membership is
over 10000. all working to protect and
foster clean amateur sports.
The union has been Yerv successful
I'm an attempt 10 accomplish the objects
set forth iu sections 1 to g. Section
Z has been pushed TO the front dur
Ing the past three or four years. with
the result that in nearly all large cities
public gymnasiums are provided or will
be in a very short time.
With such a record as this does il
seem reasonable TO expect that interest
I'm athletics will die out just because
one organization is banished or all or
ganizations in either city or athletic
district has been dropped? No: there
is no danger that the great work will
stop. Instead people will take a greater
interest than ever when they know what
the Amateur Athletic Union IS doing for
the future welfare OF sports No sort
OF athletic organization can afford 10
break the rules of such a body and
hope 10 be successful in running in op-
position to it's authority.