The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-26

between the American and United !
Kingdom athletes and officials at the
Olympic games in London, Two IhiEgs
should be borne in mind:
First: That the English uniformly
make a practice Of betting heavily,
and even publicly. on amateur events,
something which cuts practically no
figure in field and track meets in this
country
Secondly: That II is barely possible
there are on the America team c
number Of chesty young persons. with
atrophied brains Of the Ralph Rose
type. who 20 clustering through and
among the EngIishms IN without for a
moment stopping 20 consider the diff
ferences or maLy points which exist
between their athletic customs and
traditions and those in this country
Losing Bets Jars English
The betting on amateur athletics IN
England should never be overlooked
II has been the cause Of innumerable
rows and accusations in the past. Ey-
cry time American athletes, such as
Arthur Duffey, have gone abroad, their
performances have been the medium OF
big pIunges, and wise gamblers have
cleaned up handsomely by accepting
good odds against the invaders, which
odds were offered out OF the natural
tendency q back persons or animals
with whom you are familiar against
those whom you know only by reputa-
ton Hence. every American victory
has meant the drifting Of a large
amount OF coin from the pockets Of
small British bettors into the war
/ bags OF the chosen few who we're well
aware Of the superiority Of the Ameri-
cans; and the English have not yet
reached the point where they can
| gracefully give Up money a. their own
game.
| Americas proves in field and track
| events is wen known, but in addition
I il should be remembered that when an
athlete from this side was sent asrcss
| the water al the heavy expense involv-
/ ed, he was almost invariably a wonoeT,
/ even for this country otherwise no one
would have staked him for the journey
| L was only natural that the very best
| OF American athletes. picking their best
years 70 go abroad, should very fire.
/ qUently sting the bettors IN thu tight
| little island The inevitable consequence
/ has been that the English officials have
| protected their home teams on all pos
.sible occasions. and an American has
| had % win so ciear.y THAI there was
no chance for dispute before he has
| been declared a victoc, and all that
| good British gold diverted 10 the pOck-
| cts Of those who had the nerve 10 back
! the foreigner
Always Charge Yankee TrickeUy.
! When the financial element Of the bet
\ tin. : considered in conJulctIon with
| the cocksureness Of thei. own superior
/ fly which makes the English such hard
| losers, IL can be seen that the prospects
/ Of harmony in the Olympic OF other
\ English games we're rot bright. When
! ever an Englishman IS whipped by an
/ American he Immediately charges II 20
/ trickery on the part Of the blasted
/ Yankees. his mind apparently being IN
| able 10 conceive the idea that nature
! could construct a human being able 70
/ beat him on the level.
] This feeling Of resentment toward
/ their vanguishers on the part OF the
I Kings loyal subjects has in many cases
/ cropped out in displays OF mere vul-
/ garity and nlbreeding. both IN their
I writings about other athletes and IN
| their social treatment OF them, and the
| effect has not strengthened the grip OF
the hands across the sea Such man
| euvers as keeping the BeIgians out OF
the Henley this year would in this coun-
| Try or among real sportsmen in any
/ other country, be considered contempt
/ ibie. and after that exhibition in row
/ ing. the cIeanest and most high-classed
! Of all the sports. it need occasion no
] surprise IL the English officials have
! slipped it 10 the Americans in the Olyu1-
/ PICS. where their entire national repu-
ton for ability in sports has been al
stake.
No American Officials
Perhaps nothing has shown the self
| sufhciency and narrow-minded insular-
l ity OF the English in their conduct OF
the Olympjcs than their failure to ap-
point James E Sullivan, head Of the
American delegation and president OF
the great American governing body tho
Amateur Athletic Union 10 a position
as an official That fact explains the
mental attitude Of those in charge OF
the meet better than anything that
could have happened, for Nj Sullivan
was not q stranger over the water, but
his ability on the field was we'll known
| there, and he has been one or the CHIEF
! advocates in this country Of some Of
the foolish IDEAS of doing business in
athletics which the english so much
affect when they climb their holier-
than-thou perches- II they wouldn't
recognize a kindred spirit. what chance
did a mere runner or jumper have2
Concerning the second proposition
that about the action Of the American
athletes themselves in intensifying the
/ already existing bitterness of the Eng
| lishmen. we fear there is much TO be
said which has not vet reached the
papers on this side From a long eX-
perience with college and club athletes
in the United States. and speaking with
all due patriotism We think IL a first
class bet that some OF IT young en-
trants in the Olympics hose develop
uent is mostly in the legs and chest
have swelled around. cI1ed. and other
wise made themselves Objectiona bic
The refusal of Ralph Rose TO perform
the customary ceremony in salutins