Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-30

NEW YORK December 30-1t is the
general opinion in athletic circles that
the Amateur Athletic Union authorities
have little more on the six athletes
they suspended Monday night than was
given out for publication. Porter BonhaS.
Bellars, Lee. Sheppard and Bacon were
suspended for accepting cXorhtant eX-
pense money from a Buffalo organiza-
ton, and this exorbitant amount was
placed at So.
The men went from Philadcphi to Buff
falo on the occasion of this particular
meet and then returned to New York. 1t
would take pretty close-fsted man to
make that trip like civilized being for
less than $50. Athletes are VIGOROUSLY
good Ivers. and if SD is all they re-
ceived for this trip they must have been
considerably out of pocket at the end OF
The junket. Athletes are not cranks try
ing TO reform the people. They are in
Variablv common-sense Young fellows out
for little excitement and a good time.
They are III sport for the fun OF the
thing. and there could be no fun il they
had 10 keep account of their pennies to
get through.
Bonhag was more sensible than the 9TH
ers. He asked for so. and that is about
The proper allowance for trip from
athletes argued in this way yesterday,
and the argument led them to the con-
cusion that the A. A. L. has up its sleeve
a stronger case against these men than
the one given out.
j. is whispered about that some of these
mea have asked for and secured expense
money to appear In meets held in this
city. and that out-of-toWn associations
have had to pay well above a reasonable
expense allowance for their services. 1t
RI
true since the tremendous advertising GER
tain athletes have secured since they be-
came Olympic heroes.
Work for Their Pockets Now.
Giving athletes liberal expense money
has always been sanctioned by the a. A.
L. The athletes of ten years ago not
only demanded liberal expense money, but
had also to be assured OF some sort OF
hospitality. The latter-day champion, how
ever, according TO the whispers that fill
the air, not only wants liberal expenses
and a good time. but something that
would make his pocketbook look more re-
spectacle.
The A. A u is now ready to make a
determined fight against this semi-profes-
Sionalism. James f. Sullivan, the presi-
dent OF the 4. A T.. said yesterday the
laws of the union would be upheld IL
every champion was driven from the fold
Let them be professionals IL they want
TO. There is nothing wrong in that" said
Mr.. Sullivan, but VIC won't let them
masquerade as amateurs if we can help
it,
George Bonhag was seen yesterday He
seemed to take his suspension as joke.
He said the Buffalo association had mere
ly failed to ask permission of the 4. A. L.
before giving him a $40 prize. 1t is said
the association did ask permission, and
that 1t was refused. and also that Bonhag
knew of this refusal. Bonhag has re-
turned the prize TO the Buffalo associa-
ton. Both Sheppard and Porter were to
have competed IN Pittsburg last night,
but the Smokytown club was notified that
their suspension was in force and that
every man who ran against them would
suffer suspension. They did not COM
pete.
Signs of Big Fight.
The New York A. &. is very hot over
the suspension OF Eellars. Capt. Mahoney
OF the Mercury Foot Club, said yesterday
that he would see that Bellars got fair
deal The Irish-American a. c. officials
were equally warm under the collar over
the disciplining of Porter, Bonhag, Shop
pard and Bacon. The loss Of this quartet
would greatly weaken the Irish clubs
team, and II the charges against the men
are not substantiated the A. A. L. officials
are in for warm winter. In fact, one
of the liveliest scraps the A. A. T. has
ever had seems imminent
. A rather fair criticism against the reg
istration committee is that it suspended
the men before giving them a trial. The
A. A. L. laws certainly need revision in
of the A. A. L. officials yesterday to dis
cuss the situation. All the officials
manned mum Is to what happened at the
meeting.