Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05
PURITY OF AMATEUR ATHLETICS I'D
A. POPULAR SUBJECT OF GOSSIP
BY UNIVERSITY CLUB MEMBERS

Matt Halpin. whom President Sullivan
has placed in charge of the American
athletes who are to VISIT England next
summer TO take part in the olympian
games. is no more nor less than an at
tempt OF a coterie of hghfiyers in the
ranks to control things generally and die
tate terms. They are amateurs In good
standing. but the expose made by Mr..
Halpin OF their conduct during their visit
to Athens makes 1t rather probable TINT
their status as such will be rigidy in
quired into before they are admitted as
starters in the Olympfan games of this
year.
THE Amateur Athletic Union Is ham
pereo considerably by the lack of har-
mony and action by some of the associa
tons. and the desire to shield rather than
get rid of clubs that openly violate ana
teur rules prevails to degree. while In
numerous instances protection of known
professionals In their ranks is given.
This abuse is strong in the South Allan
tic Association.
The Maryland Athletic Club OF Balti-
more is one OF the presumably strong
athletic clubs of that city. and some OF
its prominent members are always asso-
Gated in prominent places on the roster
of the South Atlantic Association OF the
A a. L. How can Mr.. Sullivan expect
any help from this organization in his
fight for pure athletics when IL openly
violates every principle relating to ANA
teur standing? On last Thanksgiving day
its team played a foot ball match against
Mount Washington, and while 1t is probable
that there were some bona fde members
Of the organization in the lineup It Is ex-
tremsly doubtful. They had playing on
their team that day Sam Edmonston, n
professional base ball pitcher one OF the
men reserved by the Washington club. and
who pitched here last season. after being
secured from the league up in Hagers-
town. Edmonston is fine fellow in
every way. but his presence on that
Maryland athletic club team was a scan
dal which the officers OF the 4. A. L.
have failed to notice. though some Of
them were probably spectators at the
contest, and it matters not whether he
received money for playing in the game.
he was professional. and every one par
ticipating in that contest knowing that
he was such Is equally guilty of the
wrongdoing. and under the A. A. L. rules
is forever debarred from amateur ranks.
Some years ago runner named Sher-
lock was entered in the Georgetown meet
from the same club in baltimore. and at
the meet he was recognized by some OF
the visitors from Boston as q profess
sional. Charges were made to the head
Of the Southern Atlantic Associat ton. DR..
Grant. and after a lot of parleying Sher-
lock was declared to be a professional.
but his medal and cup were never re-
turned. In the seasons that followed
Sherlock became a member OF the Balti-
more and Ohio Athletic Association. and
prayed on its base ball team. that asso-
citation being a member of the South ern
Atlantic Association. and this acknowi-
edged professional was allowed to play on
team connected win the A. A. L. the
| whole of the season.
| 1T is time our amateur ranks vera
| clean and wholesome, and l for one
said the gentleman making these asser-
tons. intend to lend helping hand TO
MI sullivan and his broom sweepers."