The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-26
JOHNNY HAYS HAS
 LOST STANDING Real Reason Leaks Gut About Losing to DorandO TOO CONFIDENT IN RACE Hayes Thought He Knew More Than His Friends and Turned Down Their Aid and Advice at
 Critical Time.
TOO CONFIDENT IN RACE

New York, December 25.-(Special)-A few short months ago the Queen of Eng land summoned John J. Hayes before her in the presence of 5O,OOO of her countrymen and presented the American youth with A laurel that sung his fame throughout the world. He had won the Olympic Mar athon.
 All America awaited his homecoming with outstretched arms. Brass bands met him down the bay on chartered tugs, and at the pier he was cheered by thousands and carried off ship on the shoulders Of enthusiastic devotees of athletic sport.
 He was banqueted, lauded crowned with all the glories of a modern hero. Wherever he went people said: Look! There goes Johnny Hayes, who won the Marathon"
 Johnny Hayes walked through Forty second street yesterday He was the same Johnny Hayes of few months ago, al though perhaps his chest was not so prominent. As he passed the Grand Gen. tral station a policeman saw him, and, turning to a bystander said: Look There goes Johnny Hayes, who lost the Marathon"
 Hayes Dodges Away.
 Hayes mus thave heard. He quickened his step lodged through the crowd, and into the Vanderbilt hotel.
 So the mighty fall
 Whatever good or evil came out of the rerunning of the Marathon at Madison Square Garden in November there stands
 tl,a nf a world-famed hero.
 In his bare little room in the Wander bilt hotel Johnny Hayes sits these days, alone and almost frendless, all his glory gone, many friends estranged and little hope or prospect in the future. For all of which he can thank himself Through out the lonely hours he ponders on the folly that brought him ruin.
 The inside story, however, has never been told There were reasons for Hayes defeat His best friends knew he would be defeated, and were not surprised. Let's follow the facts.
 Hayes came back from the Olympic games an amateur. He was a poor boy. Before he departed for London he had been employed as a clerk in depart ment store. His salary was about $1O a week. He had obtained that position through the influence of friends in the Irish-American Athletic club, and he con- sdered it a mighty precious asset.
 Became a Professional.
 But upon his return he decided to be- come a professional. He could no longer associate with the Irish-American club, a purely amateur association, and so he withdrew. He also resigned his clerk ship in the store He left the humble for a room at the Vanderbilt hotel for a roo mat the Vanderbilt hotel signed contract to appear in vaudeville and practically cut off all the friends who had started him on his career and made it possible
 A month or more before the race with Dorando, Hayes signed a contract to run the Italian The contract was made in the presence of his best friends who were confident of his ability to defeat the Italian and who had arranged to pro- vide him with the best trainer available Hard training was necessary, because he had sighted his work He had to be for Dorando.
 A lew days later Hays repudiated the contract He appeared with a manager declaring he would not race under any circumstances. He threw over all his old friends. Another week went by and finally new contract was made. He was forced to deposit a guaranty of s10O0 that he would live up to his contract and race
 Without His Old Friends.
 But time had been lapsing and his work had been lax He was without the advice of his old friends. He chose to go 1t alone. He had nothing but contempt for Donando
 The day before the race he sent for man who had trained him for former races. He said he was in great shape The trainer quizzed him. How are your arms?" the trainer asked "Wen," said Hayes. 'they do get little heavy after go a distance" "Then you are not in condition and you cannot win" the trainer said.
 ''He is beaten" said the same trainer when Hayes had gone 22 miles. "He can run for an hour yet at the same jog, but he cannot sprint"
 Hayes finished the race. He had the heart and the courage but not the speed He was not in condition.
 Ernie Hertberg, trainer of the Irish American Athletic club and probably -he best judge of athletes in the United States, said to the writer: Hayes can beat Dorando He can beat him easily But he needed a months training, at least"
 The saddest thing about Johnny Hayes defeat lies in the fact that Dorando's yi,- tory was vindication of the Englishman who helped the Italian over the line at