The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-12-01

alC III tHC INV
light. Hayes was beaten. and in one
night he tumbled from fame to OBJ
livion. Let the other long-distance
lose a race as professionals and
their names, too, will be erased from
public memory. Such is fame for the
professional unner
When Johnny Hayes dragged his
weary body to the finish line and won
the Marathon race at the Olympic
games the news of his victory was pub
lished in every nation of the civilized
world. Then the little American was
the hero of the hour. Upon his return
to Uncle Sans soil he was accorded a
reception greater than any other ath-
lete ever received, and then the in
evitable happened.
A theatrical syndicate offered the Mara
thon winner a few weeks' engagement. To
accept this proposition, Hayes had to step
out of the amateur class. 1t was a move
that required a second consideration, but
Johnny wasn't born with a silver spoon in
his mouth. Money meant more TO him
than hurrahs and honors. He took the step
and became a pro.
For n few weeks money came lowing into
Hayes's purse. Then came an opportunity
to win 5000 in a lump by racing against
Dorando. He snapped 1t up. but in doing so
killed the goose that laid the golden eggs.
The result of that race is now a matter of
history. Hayes was run into the ground In
the presence of his own followers, and by
the very man he conquered in the original
Marathon.
A pretty young woman-Hayes's sweet
heart, they say-fell bdck in Il faint as the
American boy staggered over the line de-
feated. In that moment fame and fortune
fitted away from the hero of n few hours
ago. The thousands who rejoiced at Hayes's
victory In Loudon. the thousands who nom
ored him upon his return. the thousands
who cheered him on at the Garden that
night. seemed TO suddenly forget his very
existence. Today they don't speak Of this
rankee lad as the Marathon winner, but as
Hayes, the boy who was defeated by Do
fando.
There you have an example of how the
chink Of money deprives the amateur ranks
of one of the best athletes who ever wore
the red, white and blue, and one who might
have continued winning honors for the
U. S. A. in years to come. One thing must
he said of Hayes. He was no squealer. He
was beaten, but never put up a wall, never
offered an excuse. He took his medicine
like a little man, and If he never dons the
elects again he can always point to a bronze
tro W, e%mblematic of victory in the Mara
ace Of 1908.
= lE time ago l pointed out me fact
that the basketball game is steadily
III losing its foothold. because of the
lax methods employed and players fitting
about, playing on this team and that for
the little money there is in 1t. There are a
few local clubs whose eyes have been
opened to a realization of this fact, and
thsy are epdeavoring to conduct the. sport
~ q purely amateur basis.
q .-lz 7 ,annr, rfnpdc IN onf olnnH
Ahnse lines. that Is, having only members
~ tn own club on the team. b lyceum
stars will open their season at home to-
Gorrow night, meeting the Dominican five,
rEomas a. Smith, president of the Ma
ff6nal Protective Basketball Association,
= New York. Nov. 30, 1903.
tiMr. G.. A. -Bslzer. EVENING STAR
sSfa~ss SRI have read with much salts
faction some Of your articles IN the recent
Issues Of THE EVENING STAR, and It
9ives me pleasure to congratulate you upon
having struck the keynote OF the IDEAS
which must prevail If the game of basket
bail is to escape becoming utterly dis
XThe lack Of system, the fitting about
of PLAYERS, the absence of adequate pro-
tecfon, the lack of interest on the part
Of MANAGERS In anything relative TO the
game that does not promise immediate
financial returns, and the degeneraLQn OF
the game into a series OF persona en- en-.
nubiio estimation and 1t is indeed high
time that som voice was raised in pro-
test against the prevailing state OF al
fairs. -
loving element of Newark n vicinity
to do some tall thinking, and as the only
result of such mental process must be
the conclusion that basketball as at pres.
emit constituted is not all that 1t should
be. a public demand for some better way
Of handling the game is already very
much in evidence.
wishing you success in the good work work
you have. undertaken, ana trusting INA
able features nave been eliminated from
the national midwinter SPORT I am, yours
very sincerely. ~
president National Protective Basketball
Association"
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