The Washington times., 1908-07-13
British Athletic Authorities
Fail to Show Americans
Any CourteSieS.
A. A. u. OFFICIALS
PAY TO STADIUM
Competitors Charged q Shillin. to
Enter Field to Train
for Games.

LONDON, July 13.-The members OF
the American Olympic team and FIVE
governors of the Amateur Athletic
Union are grievously disappointed at
the marked absence OF hospitality and
good-fellowship that IS characterizIng
their stay in London.
When they arrived at the station
there wasn't a single official OF either
the Olympic Council or the English A.
A A 70 greet them, and SINCE then not
a single official OF either body. save
Lord DesbOrough. who is so busy no.
body expected him TO, has called or
even inquired concerning the team or
the American officials at the Stadium.
me i've governors of the A. a L..
Messrs. Weekes, Kirby, NfcC-co. Brown
and Sullivan, have not received any at
tention- Indeed, they have been
obliged TO pay a shilling every time
they desired 70 enter the Stadium. and
many Of the Americans who are 70
compete have also been obliged TO pay
admission when they went 10 the track
TO train.
Total Lack of Courtesy.
A prominent man with the team said
today:
I'VE have been received with cold
water. The English officials remain IN
seen and, furthermore, they don't seem
TO care Plainly their attitude strikes
us as though we were not wanted. Con-
sidering the fact that five governors Of
the A A. u. are here, the lack of
courtesy on the part OF The governing
body, the A A A, which is the Eng,
lish association corresponding 10 the
A A l. in America, is obvious.
Our reception IS IN terrible contrast
with the hospitality and good fellowship
"hlcn Americans have always extended
I every team OF foreign competitors and
the officials visiting the United States
II Is calling by comparison with
the reception and attention shOwered
upon the athletes during both their
visits 10 Athens where from the mo-
lnent OF arrival until our departure the
Greeks, from the King down, exerted
themselves 70 make our stay pleasant
We don't ask that King Edward,
Premier AsQuith, and other dignitaries
wait upon US, but we certainly did ex-
pecI after the strenuous efforts we
made In raising a large amount OF
money 70 send q great body Of athletes
. on 3OG-mile journey, that our hosts
at least make some pretense OF giving
US a friendly welcome 10 make us feel
at home in a foreign land.
But the only thing hOmeIike we have
telt here has been the language. Oul
experience IS only a repetition OF the old
reception accorded the Harvard Yale
IAN u lev years d5o- NQDOll met
them at the station. and II was I'VE OF
SIX days before any oxford or Cam
bridge men seemed 10 be aware OF theiI
presence in England.
Our experience thus saE certainly
ought TO discourage America sending
other big teams 70 England"
Tried to Save Day.
The only men IN England who awoke
TO the necessity OF showing the visiting
athletes any hosDiteble attentions al all
were Lord DesbOrough and Lord North
cliffe. Both realized that England would
receive a black eye throughout the
world for this gross di'play OF inhos-
pitality. Lord Northcl1fe's newspaper.
The Daily mail, issued an appeal 70 al
decent Englishmen 10 provide a fund OF
E10Oj0 for the entertainment OF the
visiting athletes The appeal seemed tC
touch I, responsive chord in the hearts
Of the sporting men Of England. and the
fund was Oversubscribed within three
days.
The British sports have in this case
probably saved their country from gain
! ing the reputation Of having the mean
est and thickest bunch Of people or
earth.