New-York tribune., 1908-06-08

Our hopes of success at the Olympic games in
London were buoyed up wonderfully after the
try-outs at Philadelphia on Saturday, when the
greatest athletes of the East fought for places
on the American team. This country has just
cause 10 feel proud of her runners, jumpers and
weight tossers the finest collection in the world.
The American team must be exceptionally
stron; this year. because it is really competing
against the world: and again. though our ath-
letes are better than ever before, the same can
be said of both the Canadians and the Britons.
Favorites in several of the events on Satur-
day but there were big surprises in some of the
other contests. Rector, the Southern flyer, was
beaten in the short dash by Lawson Robertson,
local runner, who has never been credited with
record time, though the Virginian was timed in
0:09 So for the century Here some Of the
most probable winners America will have in the
stadium at London: J. B. Taylor, in the 400
metre dash; NJ. W. Sheppard, in the S00-metre
run; ]. P. Halstead. in the 1,500-Inetre run; c.
J. Bacon, in the 4O0-metre hurdle r. c. EWry,
in the standing broad and high jumps; A. c.
Gilbert in the pole vault; A K. Dearborn. in
the discus throw Cfree style); NJ. ]. Sheridan in
the discus throw Greek style), and Platt Adams,
in the hop step and jump. All except one of
these men have equalled or broken the Olympic
record in their particular contest. Tomorrow
night when the men who will form the Ameri-
ca. Olympic team have been selected, they will
lose their identity college club representa-
tives. and enlist under the Stars and Stripes.
The American team may not win by as large
score as at Athens. but it has an exceptionally
fine chance to come out victorious. It is par
ticularly fortunate in having Mike Murphy to
look out fo- its physical welfare. The veteran
trainer of athletes probably has equal in this
country, and he has had experience in handling
teams abroad. This will be a representative
team. for the West Middle West and East Will
have its best men it. When the final selec-
tions are made it is probable that college men
will predominant.
It is cause for keen regret that an English
lawn tennis team will not come to this country
to play off the preliminary ties for the Davis
Cup competition in Australia. Another visit of
the Doughertys had been anticipated.
The merry war in automobile circles between
the American Automobile Association and the
Automobile Club of America may lend an i'm
petus to the sport as it insures two interna-
tional road races, two stock races and two
tours instead of one each. The manufacturers
must pick and choose. disqualification faces
those who take part in one or the other of the
various contests. There are enough manu-
facturers to go round, however. The trouble is
unfortunate in some respects. but may make for
good
With Annapolis and Georgetown out of the
Poughkeepsie regatta this year. only five crews
will line up for the word-Cornell, Columbia
Wisconsin. Pennsylvania and Syracuse With
the Cornell crew less demoraIized
Columbia has a rare chance to make up for
many disheartening defeats.
That August Belmont's Norman II was injured
in the running of the English Derby and Rich
ard Crolers RhodOra fell in the Oaks is cause
for regret, as both might have otherwise, and
brought glory TO the American turf. All credit
however, belongs 10 Signorinetta, the double
winner. She must be wonderful FLY.
HERBERT