The Washington times., 1908-01-28
QUAKER SCRIBES
HAND OUT ROAST
ABOUT SHEPPARD
Censure Middle Allan
tic for Holding Up
Suspension.
By THOMAS S. RICE.

world whose dog is bitten
When Guy Haskins the University of
Pennsylvania runner. was disqualified
for fouling Pete Herring at Richmond
last January, the Philadelphia papers
fell joyOusiy Tor the roasts on the South
Atlantic Association of the Amateur
Athletic Association Union for promptly
suspcnding him. They could see moth
ing but an attempt on the part OF The
S. A. A 10 take a whack at its old
enemy. the Middle Atlantic Association.
Of which George Orton is the moving
spirit To judge from the Philadelphia
papers at that time. the NJ. A. A. was
just like knight could do no wrong
and the suspending OF HasSns for dirty
work on the track was attributed TO
petty malice on the part Of SoUtherners.
Played to Box Office.
On Friday night Melvin Sheppard of
New York, committed a fragrant and
dangerous foul on Haskins. The regis
tTatiOn committee of the self-righteous
NJ. A. A then deliberately refused TO
suspend him until after the iEtercity
relay in Philadelphia the next day, on
the ground that his absence would hurt
the box ONCE receipts. He was allowed
10 run on Saturday, and then promptly
suspended for thiTt.- days, although he
had been equally a. extensively adver-
tised for the Pastime a. c. games in
New York last night.
This is undoubtedly the rawest bit Of
work ever pulled OF by the Philadelphia
crowd fl the Amateur Athletic Union
and gives an excellent idea why ~thaJ
city was expelled bodily from the organ
izatiou two or three years ago. Il also
shows the style OF politics that led the
present South Atlantic Association TO
desert the Amateur Athletic Union and
conduct the successful secession which
did so much TO stimulate athletics in
the South, Philadelphia was taken back
into the fold on the lofty assurances Of
Orton that there would be no more dis
Creditable proceedings, vet when Has
klns was disqualified by the Southern
Athletic Association orion and the
Philadelphlaus refused TO admit that
they had 10 recognize the suspension,
which was about the most childish plea
conceivable II the Amateur Athletic
Union were granted TO have any au-
thority at all
Sample Roast.
The following is a sample of what the
Philadelphia papers are carrying this
morning, now that some other associa-
tion than the South Atlantic is involved.
The suspension of Melvin Sheppard
by the registration committee of the
Atlantic Association of the A A L.
has raised a storm That the sus-
pension was just there can be no ques-
ton, but there is room for a howl re-
Earding the way the action was taken
by the registration committee and
James Sullivan, president Of the A. A
T., Is the first and foremost among
the squealers.
1T will be remembered that Sheppard
louled HaskinS In most deliberate
manner in their race on Friday night,
but he was not suspended until Sun
day so as TO allow HIM 70 compete in
the second nights meet Of the First
Regiment games on Saturday night.
The committee attempted 10 excuse
themselves for allowing Sheppard 70
compete Saturday night on the ground
that the public. and hence the box Of
fee. should be served IN the interest
Of fair play.
Considered Promoters First.
This is only another instance Of how
the A. 4. l.. which would keep ANA
teur athletics pure, does things. And
then II is wondered why ii is that shere
IS not more friendly reeHng toward
the body, which, while It would purify
the athlete does other things that do
more harm TO the interests they are sup
posed to support than does an athlete
when ne sells his prizes
IF Sheppard was guilty of an attack
Upou Haskins, and there can be no
question about that he should have
heen suspended at once, regardless Of
consequences that might have resulted
IN keeping number OF persons away
from the games on Saturday night. The
interests O. pure sport should have
been served first. and the COM
mittee should have allowed the pro-
motors. of the meet 10 look after the box
Office and the public.
Sullivan Angry az NJ. A. A.
James Z. Sullivan, the president Of
the Metropolitan Association of the A.
A. L, was incensed when ne heard of
Sheppard's SUSPENSION last night. Mr..
Sullivan does not question the right of
the Middle Atlantic Association to dis
cipline a New York athlete, but he
wants to know WHY the Middle Atlantic
Association postponed their action IN
I'll after Sheppard had run In the sec
Ond day events of the First Regiment
&c The Philadelphians took care not
10 lose the services of Sheppard on Sat
urday night said Mr.. Sullivan hast
night. and they seemingly cared moth
ing for the PaStime A. @. carnival from
which Sheppard is now barred. II looks
as though the Philadelphia officials only
think of the financial end of the snort.
You Will notice that Sheppard's suspen-
sion will expire in time to let him run
At their meeting in March "
II should be remembered that il is
not the A. A. L. but the Middle Al
l7ntic Association Of the A a, L.
which turned the trick so strongly cen
sured-