The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-08-29
Investigation
Rrecipfates
ReDision
Porter Case Reveals Con-
ditions Which Arouse
Amateurs.

The conditions revealed by the inves-
tigation of the case Of F. H Porter, OF
Cornell before the registration commit !
tee OF the Amateur Athletic Union, has
finally aroused all lovers OF athletics
to the necessity OF action BY the union
at its meeting In September to prevent
the continuance OF the practices that
are being employed.
The fact that the New York Atnletic
Club and the Irish-American Athletic
Club have been shown 70 be equally cll-
pable in the Porter case. has mace the
feeling very much stronger Wnen II IS
considered that every athlete who won
a point IN the Metropolitan champion
ships represented one or the other OF
these organizations, the extent TO which
: the proselyting has been done is evident.
There has been no adequate protection
I 10 other organizations in the Metropoli-
I tan Association, or outside OF the dis
( trfct against the fnrOads OF the two big
/ clubs. and only those in authority know
/ what means have been used 70 lure
I q way from the others the crack ath-
: lstes. If permitted 10 continue, there
is no telling 10 what lengths the sharp
practice may not. 80. and everyone be
/ lieVes that II VIII result IN great harm
! 10 amateur athletics
Reasons for Organization.
The Organization of the Amateur Ath-
letic IniOn was brought about by men
anxious TO safeguard athletics against
just such practices. The free purchase
Of athletes in the old days was openly
conducted. II was recognized by those
who organized the Amateur Athletic
Union that the continuance Of the game
demanded the elimination OF the prac-
does In spite OF its vigilance. the i'm
proper rivalry OF some OF the big clubs
and the cupidiUy OF individuals has per-
mitted the continuance OF unsport 5Tnan
| practices under the guise OF such de-
! vices as the payment OF expense money
am similar peFquisites- Inc expose OF
Arthur Duffey. two years ago. demon
strated how Widespread had been the
I evil
The trouble that the Amateur Athletic
/ Union officials has had 10 contend with
has been the difficulty OF getting eyi-
/ dence. The negotiations were secretly
! conducted, and there was no way 70 gel
at the WrOngdoing. even though the on
Gals believed that athletes w1sre FScsiv-
| ing remuneration for their services II
! was for this reason that the 4 \ L.
at the time that Duffey's case vas be
fore the public, passed regulation thai
declared that a member could be sus
pended upon suspicion alone.
Rules Not Enforced.
The rules Of the Amateur Athleti,
Union at present cover most of thes'
cases. The Indisposition , enforce then
Is said to be due TO the fear Of the ex
tent to which they may reach. Refug,
is taken behind the fact that an affidavit
taken by any Of the athletes. though
I paipably false, must be accepz d as con
elusive.
The necessity that presents stself. a,
seen BY prominent Amateur -Athletil
Union officials and other lovers OF sport
! IS that the rules shall be completely re
/ vised and clarified, leaving no excus
for non-enforcement and at the SAM
| time be made so stringent as TO proven
the continuance Of the practices, Thos
| influential enough 10 enforce thPi- view
upon the members Of the Amateur Ath
{ ietc Union in their coming convention
declare that this shall be thorough.
done.
Discipline Proposed.
The suggestion has beer made tina
The clubs shall be disciplined whe
proved guilty Of PROSECUTING as well a
the individuals. It Is also advocate
I that a one years residence rule shal
= be adopted. whereby no athlete VII
represents a college or athletic club ma
/, 90 to another organization and compel
: until a resident member Of that organ
q ization for one year The argumeu
L that this imposes a hardship on the in
\ dfvidual is answered by the considera
: ton OF the general good It has bee
successfully employed by the college
: and can be applied equitably by atl
d lelic clubs.
I. The best evidence CT the justice 81 I'll
PROPOSAL and the nee sssity Tor II Is IN
T. fact that. although almost every att
$. [ fetic official Of n3te has declared
I, favor Of some such stringent regulation
7. none has been found courageous enoug
s, to acknowledge opposition TO II. IT
Z. remedy will no doubt be applied IN Sci
b, TENDER.