New-York tribune., 1909-11-16
NEW ATHLETIC HEAD
BROUN At THE HELM.
Harmony PreUdils at Meeting
of the H. 4. L.

Everett c. Brown. Of Chicago was elect
ed president Of the Amateur Athletic Union
Yesterday. 10 succeed James F. Sullivan.
who. refusing 10 serve again as presiden,
after three terms. went back 10 his old
Office Of secretary and treasurer The an
uual meeting Of the organization that con-
trolls practically all amateur sport in the
United states was held az the Hotel AsJvr.
With delegates present from ali parts % ire
country. and harmony seemed to be III.
watchword Mr.. Brown was elected 2resi-
dent after a friendly campaign with II. c.
Penniman. Of Baltimore
one OF the most interesting actions OF the
meeting was the passing OF this rule. Ere
sented by the registration committee.
This committee wishes 10 go on record
unanimously that any athlete who manages
or promotes an athletic meet fo- his Ow1
pecuniary gain 'orfeits his amateur stand
Ing"
This was adopted. and seemed 20 cause
lot of comTotion among some mvn who
have been doing just that thing from time
20 time
one new association. that OF Southern
California. was admitted TO the union. as
had been forecast by the attitude of the
officers toward the applicant.
Following The business session whicd
lasted all day. the annual dinner was held
in the hotel last night. the general good
feeling that marked the whole meeting
being much in evidence while the deli gates
from the various associations were a. the
table
President Sullivan. in retiring reviewed
the condition OF the union and OF amateur
sport In the country in his formal address.
referring length 70 the trouble that has
been brewing with the Athletic League 0.
North America, representing the Young
Mems Christian Association athletes. and
suggesting that II could all be smoothed
over lie said, in part:
a year ago. after having served the two
years that Of late have been customary for
the president to serve. the representatives
OF the Amateur Athletic Union insisted 7
should or11ctate another year. The unusual
honor Of the third term. coming as Il did
Al that time was not only personal COM
ptment, but also vote Of confidence in
50 far as II pertained 70 my conduct while
in ONCE. II was an exceptional testimonial
and one that I thoroughly appreciated. and
| have endeavored 10 merit tho confidence
reposed IN me ty every effort 70 further the
cause OF athletic sport.
The Amateur Athletic Union. OF which
have the honor OF having been one Of the
founders. has now passed It's twenty-irsr
year. and. looking back over thst period,
think the members OF the organization are
10 be congratulated on the progress made in
Dilli-AiE tDe cause or ,AlnleLlCS from Lnr
place in which it was held at that time %
the high plane which apateur athletics has
now reached When A governing body in
athletic sport can succeed and become
powerful and respected as the Amateur
Athletic Union 10 must OF necessity he
built upon the right foundation It's sue
cess has not been matter Of chance. but
Of hard WOrk-hard and Unselfish WOrk-On
the part Of its hundreds OF officials through
out the United States. and. gentlemen.
Wnen any organization = fortunate enough
to secure the cooperation OF such a body
Of men, then sucCess is assured.
competitive sport Throughout the United
states is in a healthy condition. and those
in the collegiate. scholastic and athletic
world who are responsible for this sane.
healthy state OF affairs are TO be Congratu-
lated. Ten. fifteen. twenty OF twenty-five
years ago sport, from the amateur stand
point, was not nearly so wholesome as IL
Is to-day. and many Illegal acts were done
I'm years gone by that were due primarily
10 ignorance and lack Of organization To-
day that Is all changed the excuse OF
Ignorance is not heard very often and the
alleged corruption IN competitive circles
does not exist in as widespread a manner
as some would Ike 20 have 10 believed
Where you have an organization that con-
trolls and has competing under its rules
close to thirty thousand active athletes
you must expect 10 md here and there a
few that have tendency To break laws
and evade rules, that is only % be expect
ed. ON the whole. however. amateur sport
in the United States Is on a much better
basis than in any other country that has
amateur competition. and know whereof
practice IN sport, but very feW; they are
fortunately rare.
There Is another subject 70 which 7 wish
20 call attention in this connection In
athletics, as in every branch OF activity
where success has been attained. there
one character u no seems 70 follow in the
wake OF his more accomplished fellows
the sCandalmOnger. Every now and then
+ :, NE startling announcement is made n
relation to this champion that cham
picn: the statement is usually made on
beaTssy evidence. and is not Of the kind
on which the governing body can act The
Amateur Athletic Union stands ready 10
eNpel from the amateur ranks any com
petlng athlete guilty OF misconduct, and u
hehOOves those who make these assertions
not to COnnne their attacks 10 generaHties
but 20 help the governing body in SPECIFIC
cases. Let them come forward and give
evidence. n there IS any. that will enaOle
the governing body 10 eliminate from anna
teur circles those who have no right there
~. There may exist certain Isolated cases
or dishonest athletes evadlng the amateur
rules. but II the Amateur Athletic Union
received the right kind OF support and CO.
operation from those that make charges
conditions could be MADE wellnish per
feet On the whole. WIEN you consider
The great army of athletes competing in
the United States and the remarkable or
-aniZatiOu that has been bGilt up amateur
STOrt IS remarkably free from abuses. and
we should certainly feel very much pleased
with the condition OF affairs as they are
Several experts in tIe Far West have
made the suggestion that the rule IN rsla-
J.
Iatng thai portion Os the rule which reads
as follows: In front u the scratch lll.a
the ground shall De removed 10 the depth
or three and the width OF twelve inches
outward We have had several examples
brought 70 our attention where prominent
athletes men with regulations. who might
have become champions. have had the mis-
fortune 10 turn their ankles. owing 70 the
digging OF this little trench. three inches
deep and twelve inches wide. and as A
substitute IL has been suggested that the
1oist could be sunk flush with the earth.
Should this change be made II will give
the jumper confidence because he will
know that injury 70 himself is wellnign
impossible. II he Oversteps the take-Or-
The suggestion is 2 EO0G and worthy
OF YOUR consideration
We have had a few casualties in con-
necuon with hammer throwing but not
OF such nature would warrant the dis
continuance OF this branch OF competition
on several occasions the wire handle has
snapped and several instances have oc-
ON this account some think IL is a dan
gerous sport snd should perhaps be elm
mated from our list. / am not one OF those
Who believe IL should be discarded. I think
We can make the competition safe. az least
IN so far the implement is concerned
The suggestion has been made that We en-
large the size OF the wire. every other de-
tail Of the Implement would be retained
but instead OF the thin piano wire as at
present heavier variety would be sub
syituted.
The Amateur Athletic Union viii benefit
sport. help its own organization materially
and help communities do good work FOR
future citiz .lShip II the members will agf-
tate and encourage al forms OF athletic