The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-02
Efforts to Block Plans for
Games Next Season
Fall Flat.
SANCTION GIVEN
IN GOOD FAITH
Wiber Declares Grant Is Justified
by Laws and Policy of
Union.
By J. R. HILDEBRAND.

Efforts on the part Of George Wash
ington University officials 10 block the
plans for holding a Federal meet next
year sustained a bruising jolt this morn
ing. when Dr. j.. +. Wiber, chairman
Of the registration committee, A. a. l..
declared that the sanction issued 10 the
Y NJ G A. would stand despite rigor-
oUs protests from various quarters.
The announcement yesterday that a
sanction had been granted for the
games came as a complete surprise to
the antagonists Of Mike Stuart, manag-
er of the games this season. who had
prepared TO oppose Mixes stewardship
on A. A L. technicalities. The charge
advanced by William Foley, physical
culture Instructor in the high schools.
\ and others, that the affiliation with
the association was merely blind"
Is branded as absurd by Dr. WibeT and
by G. II. Beckett, director OF athletics
at the Y. NJ. Z. A.
In the first place I want it under
stood that this sanction is bona fde.'
declared DR.. Wiber. This affiliation
removes all faint of the wild charges
that Stuart was violating the A. A. L.
rules in running the meet himself.
Both these charges are absurd Admit
ting that Stuart was to continue in active
management of the meet. which he is
not except as an adviser. there would
oe absolutely no reason for refusing
him a sanction. While the A. A. l.
prefers that open games should be con
Quoted by some athletic club or school,
this ruling is subject to the eXigenCies
Of circumstances. We are not settling
A new precedent by recognizing a disin-
terested promoter
1T has been the policy Of the A. A
y 10 encourage any proper individuals
&c develop and TO foster sport Both by
Jechnicality and by policy the A A
would wi - RIG
~ granting Stuart a sanction. and there
Is certainly no legitimate kick coming
against granting the Y NJ. &. \. per-
mission to hold this meet.
The charge that large profits from
the Federal meet found their way into
the pockets of Stuart, placing him I'm
Tidiculed by those who have kept closely
in touch with athletic affairs.
Meet Not Bonanza
An indoor meet on the face OF it
Is not a paving proposition" declared
an official today. who was closely affl-
'ated with the management of the Fed
eral games. I'm this specific case I
can vouch for il that the profits on the
last two meets given under the title
II Federal games barely cleared eX-
penses. This has not been a money
making venture for Stuart It has been
more OF a hobby Il was his pride to
best that money could procure in the
way of talent for this event, and his
expenditures were only curbed by the
limitations of gate receipts.
Stuart has ignored suggestions to
econOmize in order to exploit new feat
ures. While all this has no direct bear
ing on the issue at point il does not
seem TO be square deal that Stuart's
motives should be construed in view of
all he has done to build UP sport in this
city These attacks come from the
-re t. T,rTv -
put the George Washington meet on
its feet and has never shown the par
tisanship displayed by those who at
tack him.
II is not likely that the question OF
receipts will be touched upon by the
A A. L officials, in view OF a state
ment issued by c. Z. Beckett, OF the
Y NJ. .. A, today
Beckett Explains Position.
The y. NJ g. a. is not playing the
role Of a Eo-between between Stuart
and the A. A. L. The sanction granted
MS has no Interior meaning. The event
Will be financed by us alone, and to us
viii acrue any profits. which past ex-
-perence leads us not to expect In any
large measure.
The Y. N c. a has taken over this
event because we believe il IS furnish
ms the best class of indoor sport seen
in Washington You can also take IL
engaged in the supervision of the meet.
Z realize just how valuable his expert
ence would be 10 us even If his record
in building up these games did not en-
title his TO some consideration.
Few topics. of recent months have
SO agitated sport followers of this city
as the continuance Of the annual Fed
eral games
Lined up soldly for the meet are
high school pupils who hCJe. under
the new regime TO compete. y NJ
2 A athletes, and supporters Of the
A. A. u.
The opinion that there is room I'm
Washington for three indoor meets
seems 10 be iIy2ely in the ascendant
Rather than putting obstacles in The
way Of the promoters IL IS pointed out
that Washington spoTtsmcn owe Stuart
p debt Of gratitude for the work be has
done in giving this city a place Or the
athletic map and tiiat this city owes
u 10 Itself 10 give him a free sin 90
further develop his plan Of giving the
Capital an assured position as a mecca
for indoor games.