The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-06-09
South Atlantic Meet
Interest Almost Dead
Around Wasl1tnqton
Exposition Athletic Authorities Have Made
Failure of Stirring Athletes--J. E.
Sullivan'S Name Breeds Lack
of Confidence.
By THOMAS S. RICE.

: make the Boston a. A. cancel the event
II necessary. rather than let a suspended
man compete. On June 1 Haskins wor
the mile Tor Penn at the intercollegiate
games at Cambridge, Mass
His failure 20 enforce the SUSPENSION
Of Haskins IN an A. A. u. meet was
regarded by the athletes of the S. A A.
as a deliberate slap at the s. A A. one
Of the largest and most progressive as
sociauons In the A. A L., and done 10
curry favor with the University OF Penn
sylvania. At that time Mr.. Sullivan was
exploiting himself as the father OF a
scheme 20 have the big colleges go d.
rectly into the A. a. u, like athletic
clubs. The University Of Pennsylvania
was supposed 20 be on the verge of CIV
ing him the desired free advertising by
being the first 70 take this STEP To
have barred PENIS star runner would
have effectuaily killed the proposition.
Knuckled to Pennsylvania.
Instead Of coming out in a manly.
straightforward, sportsmanlike way and
putting the ban on the foulinE athlete,
Mr.. Sullivan preferred TO let him run
and keep his peace with the university
which was TO be the means of getting
his name in the papers, thereby grossly
insulting the craftsmanship and man
hood of every member OF the South At
lantic Association, and, incidentally, OF
the entire South
It is no wonder the athletes and news.
papers in this section are not enthusing
over the jamestown games when they
read Mr.. Sullivan's name at the head
Of the list of officials, despite the fact
That there are a number OF Southerners
on the executive games committee. They
figure that If Mr.. Sullivan is so weak
that he cannot enforce a suspension for
foul tactics in a meet held directly under
the auspices Of the A. A. U. on the
specious plea that the foul was COM
mitted by a college man. then it is hard
Tor them to tell what kind of a deal
they might get at jamestown.
Athletes Should Go.
The writer has no desire to hurt the
jamestown games, but is simply point-
Ing out the apathy here. which is a
source Of constant comment bv the
athletes OF Washington and vicinity ana
giving one Of the probable causes for
the lack of interest and confidence. The
1910 oAA4NlaiS VI the meet 10 De held
at jamestown next Saturday are. some
OF them, the men who promptly ruled
out HasSins in Richmond last winter,
caring not a whit for his Pennsylvania
backing, and their presence on the field
Is enough 10 insure fair play while in
competition. DR.. Grant. OF Baltimore.
Jim O'Shea, w. c. Thatcher, Tom
Kirby, and DR.. J. Z. Wiber, OF Wash
ington. and others Of their stamp will
be on hand. and it is to be hoped that
the athletes will take heart, even though
Mr.. Sullivan is chairman OF the ma
uonal committee. The men from this
district who will hold the watches and
tape are all experienced timers. judges.
and referees, and will insure the s. A.
A. contestants a square deal.
It's pleasant trip, the prizes are
said to be worth winning. and the honor
to be won is considerable. besides which
you will have a good time with a lot Of
people you know Go II you have the
chance and you won't regret it, even IL
you are fouled and the man who does
IL is allowed to go right on gathering
IN trophies after the officials from your
district have suspended him.