The Washington times., 1907-08-17

Grant, OF Baltimore, from the position
OF chairman of The registration commit
tee of the South Atlantic Association OF
The Amateur Athletic Union.
Like all men, Or. Grant has had his
faults, but his sincerity, his judgment
and his success in handling the difficult
problem Of reha oiIitating amateur ath-
letics in this section have never been
questioned. and the effects Of the good
work he has accomplished viii be felt
for years TO come No matter what
opinion may be entertained Of the doc
tor ty his personal enemies OF those
with whom he has come into contact
with in other capacities, his name should
always be remembered with sincere
gratitude not only by the athletes but
by the children Of Baltimore. Washing
ton, Richmond, anG other Southern
cities.
Professionalism Was Rampant
one OF The hardest problems that ever
faced an official Of the Amateur AtE-
letc Union was that undertaken by Dr.
Grant when he was made chairman Of
the registration committee of the S. a.
A. Baltimore at that time was wen
established in the Amateur Athletic
Union, and well accustomed to its laws
in Washington and the other cities OF
the association. conditions We're entirely
different. The A. A. U. was ALMOST an
unknown quantity. its influence was sell
dom felt outside of the Y. NJ. c. A. and
Georgetown University, and athletes
competed when, where and with whom
they pleased, without regard to appear
ances or fear OF results.
With cheerful alacrity basketball,
baseball, and football players played
for love of the sport one week and the
gate receipts the next. Field and track
meets were held at which any man
with the entrance fee could enter, and
competing for cash prizes by men who
considered themselves amateurs was
regular institution. Nobody knew It
was wrong from the standpoint of anna
teurism, anG nobody cared.
Wrought Wonderful Change.
In four years DR.. Grant has practi-
cally single-handed changed all this.
The campaign for the regulation Of
amateur athletics in the District was
inaugurated in Tho Washington Times,
and the doctor Immediately entered into
IT with enthusiasm. modified by tact
and common sense.
enforcement of the A. A L. rules upon
men who had violated the code without
the slightest thought Of doing wrong
would not only be a hardship but a rank
injustice. he started by getting the ath-
letes together whenever possible. and
telling them the error Of their ways
These talks were supplemented by clear
and interesting articles IN the sporting
ma Of Fhe frna IN hp
forth the objects Of the A a. L. and
showed that it was not intended as an
arbitrary OF mercenary organization,
but had been formed for the protection
OF the amateurs themselves.
This bore fruit, and some OF the wild
est and most reckless OF the youngsters
who had been competing in unsanctioned
events became the warmest supporters
Of the a. A. L.
Showed Rare Judgment
Then the doctor showed his head
work Instead Of going of half cooke !
like the average reformer and condemn |
ing all who had sinned, whether IN
tentionally or not. he exercised great
leniency and rare discretion. Except in |
the case Of our-and-OUt professionals, |
such as the boxers and wrestlers, vino !
openly contested for purses and bets, |
he forgave the past gave each |
ycungster a clean bill, and launched
him on an amateur career with a warn
ing to be good in the future
The value of this move to athletics in
the South cannot be overestimated. 1t
gave the athletes Of this section a most
favorable impression of the A. A. u. |
and especially OF the officials of the
South Atlantic Association. Hostility
and indifference were overcome at one
FwOop and the athletes, entering into the
spirit Of the thing, began to lend their
hearty assistance TO the body which
they had before ignored or openly |
Registration spread like wildhre. and
from a weak brother Of no standing the |
South Atlantic Association in one year
jumped to the front and led the A. A u /
In gains in registrations Tins spirit has /
continued unabated. and today this
District IS recognized as having one OF |
the most thoroughly organized and inn !
portant associations in the Amateur |
Athletic Union
Inspired Playground Movement.
The separation Of the amateurs from
the professionals was In itself enough |
10 earn just fame for DR.. Grant, but his |
activities have been OF vast benefit in |
ether directions. The playground move |
inent which at present is such an i'm
been of such inestimable Der efit physi- /
cally and morally to hundreds Of young
sters. owes far more than it's present \
hackers think TO the impetus Il received
from the great revival in athletics /
among the Older boys which was en-
Eineered by DR.. Grant and his associates
in the South Atlantic Association.
The constant talk in the newspapers
Of meets, records, prizes and hOnors |
forced the subject of athletics upon the /
attention of the business men and public
spirited citizens, and prepared the way I
for the collection OF funds and the per-
manent establishment of the play
grounds which are affording healthful /
and sensible exercise TO thousands Of I
children who would otherwise be playing /
on the streets and getting into mischief /
Helped Richmond Children.
Another illustration Of the benehcent /
effects of the doctors energy is to be /
seen in Richmond, Va, where there is /
a plan on foot to establish a large pub /
lie athletic park and numerous play /
grounds. The originators of this move
ment admitted that the idea came to
them through noticing the work of DIR. |
Grant. and he has been consulted and