The Washington times., 1907-08-04
.LONGBOAT WONDERS
WHERE HE rs At"
Warning Athletic Bodies
Make His Amateur Status
Uncertain.

NEW YORK, Aug. 2-NoW that there
appears 70 be a possibility that ath-
leuc peace VIII prevail in Canada the
enthusiasts on both sides OF the border
are wondering what the future holds
for Thomas Longboat, the famous In
dian long distance runner.
The remarkable showing OF the abo-
rlgine in the few races Of Importance
IN which lie has competed marked him
as an athlete OF marvellous perform
ancCs. AS a result those who have his
best interest at heart are anxious that
his amateur status may be preserved
He Il Wondering.
During the struggle for. athletic su-
premacy n the dominion. he has been
the catspaw OF the Canadian y A. L.
and the Athletic Federation OF Canada.
He has been suspended and reinstated
so cfsen that according to his own
staterrcnts he does not know where he
is at II the Canadian A. A. I. had
done nothing else its handling Of Long
boat would have been sufficient TO mark
IL as a body utterly Incapable Of gov
erninG athletes and athletics.
Just at present the Indian is In good
standing unless he has been suspended
In the past twelve hours. but his ath-
letic career has been almost ruined by
the actions Of the lighting organizations
across the border. The actions Of his
alleged managers and those who have
handled MIN in his various races have
cast a heavy shadow OF suspicion over
his amateur status
Blame His Managers.
that he is an amateur and desires 10
continue as one. They say that re has
never prchted financially as a result OF
his great ability as a runner. But
they don't say the same Of those who
have had him in charge. In fact some
very ugly stories are told OF the way
the redman has been used to make
money for a clique OF men who have
been backing him in some Of his races.
The Canadian A. A. L. lost much Of
it's waning popularity when the unat-
tached sporting enthusiasts of the Do
minion saw the shabby way it was
treating LOngbOat. The Indian is looked
upon as a national prize winner in Can
ada and is already being SPOKEN of as
the victor OF the great Olympic Mara
thOn race in London next summer.
Canada hopes to uphold the honors
! gained by Sherring at Athens a wear
ago with the Indian in 1908. Now that
the Athletic Federation Of Canada has
gained the upper hand In the fight for
tho control Of athletics across the bor-
Ger. the enthusiasts are asking. What
are you going to do with Longboat?"
1t is understood that the Montreal
A. A. A. stands ready to receive him
| into it's fold and keep him in. the
| straight and narrow path OF amateur
ism
This appears to be no easy task for
| 1t is understood that certain promo
! ters Of professional foot racing are
offering the Indian all sorts of induce
ments If he will turn professional and
enter into a series of races with prom
inent runners, both in Canada and the
United States. One Of his prospective
opponents would be Alfred Shrubb. the
English long-distance runner, now in
this country.
Shrubb has found no one to date who
could test his ability. and he has fail
ed to make any big money for the
] good reason that he has been unable
to secure an opponent who appeared
! capable of making him extend himself.
With Longboat a professional. how
ever, things would be different Con-
sequently the offers received by the
redman are such as would turn the
head of a far more astute athlete
than the aborigine.
|