New-York tribune., 1907-12-28
HALPLN UP In ARMS
Talks IN OWN DEFENCE.
c. H. Sheriff. Speaks Highly sof
OLYMPIC Team Manager.

Matthew P Halpin whose appointment as mana
ger Of the American Olympic team to London mex.
wear has led formal protest by the directors OF
the IrisF1-American Athletic Club, made the foio"-
ing statement in his own behalf yesterday:
although it has been my most earnest desire
not to answer the venomous attacks made upon me
by certain members of the late American OLYMPIC
team which went to Athens in 1906, the unfairnesS
of my enemies and requests of friends force me 10
defend n1yseIf but not the end intended taking
because those in authority ask me not 10 tlrdsh
the matter out in. the papers, but wait unth the
speciIc charges are made after which adJudlcation
will be made by the committee: one Oh my k cnieA
reasons for having taken this action heretofore
was that 1 had desire to cast discredit upon any
other team which might journey ABROAD Oh d eiiiii
lar competitive mission.
IF any one has protest or complaint TO MAKE
u,ttb resnect to nv management of the team which
vent 10 Athens [ think it should be properly adj
dressed to the American Olympic committee IN
all likelihood the many rabid statements MADE
concerning my treatment of certain men on tnat
trim emanate from the Irish-Anerican Athletic
Club which has not had kindly feeling for mo
since I factor in the protestins OF Maruh
7 Sheridan Of that club. for professionalism sew
eral years ago. l am free to confess that thlnK
that the bitterness then engenedered mas never
died out. 80 :.
thrashed out before the Olympic committee that
not alone will able make good for my Scent
inely harsh treatment OF these certain men, puI VIII
also be prepared TO prove many Things 10 theiF
detriment'
Charles H Sheriff. who captain of the New
York Athletic Club for four years. took UP arms
in HaIpin's defence yesterday. He said in part
The best way to judge OF a mans AFFINITY Is
from what he has done in the past. during. ,ne
four years that / captain Of the New YORK
Athletic Club Mr.. Halpin acted as my first heuten-
ant and in position he fulfilled TO the entire
satisfaction of not only myself. but also OF the
governors of the club all the duties whlch zen 10
his lot This work demanded both athletic Kno"i-
edge and executive ability He frequently nao
charge of considerable sums of money TO De ex-
nended for travelling expenses, etc. and we found
him not only most punctious in his accounts, out
also economical in his expenditures am told
aIp pIr Athens
siderable surplus from the fund allotted hin Tor
the expenses of the American team: which seems
to accord with experience with MN IN 'he
New York Athletic Club
Perhaps 1t IS not generally known 10 the readns
public that when athlete has been training ior
some time and has got into good condltion theTe
results such a lyed-up condition of his nervous
system that he -.coTnes difficult to manage and i'm
patient if in any way checked AS result the po-
stion Of manager captain or trainer OF an athetic
team is far removed from a bed or roses, and "
takes the utmost tact to produce the team IN win
ming condition the day of the games. Mr. Hal
pins success in that particular at Athens IS al
ready part Of athletic history. do not fnd It at
all unusual extraordinary that some or the mem
bers of that team should no" crltlclse hiih' Wy
onIv surprise is that every member of the team did
not do So I would regard it as severe criticism
Of his ability manager II he should nave mao
charge of a team none OF whose members did criti-
else him for it would show that he let them do
pretty much as they pleased and did not attempt
TO exercise proper control
Barlow s. Weeks, member or the American
Oly,rnpc committee, had the following TO say on
the subject:
..There is only way to deal with the Halpin
matter and that is for the men VINO are dissatis-
fled to lodge charges, that we may investigate
them have known Halpin for many years. and
know nothing but what is good OF him can
hardly believe the description OF Halpn IN the
Irish-AInerican protest can be an accurate one.
The hest team manager in the world would. OF
course find some trouble in taking abroad mixed
team like the one that competed at Athens. Halpin
may have found 1t necessary TO use plain words at
times but manager is not necessarily boorish or
unc because enfOrCeS
For the good of amateur athletics 1t would be
better TO have this affair Strengthened out. The
members OF the American Olympic committee viii
probably meet TO consider the recent protest, but
it contains charges which an investigation
can be based. The persons who are complaining
should specify incidents. That will give Hapin
chance to defend himself. If the committee finds
that Halpin's appointment was a mistake 1t can
quickly right the wrong; but l say right now
that only proof will a change Threats from
athletes or athletic bodies desert the team are
ridiculous and will have effect"