Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-30
AMATEUR ATHLETIC
EVILS UNDER FIRE
National Society of Research
Aims to Cure All Ills of
Sporting World.

NEW YORK. December Gothic Ma
tional Society of Athletic Research. an
organization of men connected with edu-
catiOnal institutions in different parts of
the country, met at Murray Hill Hotel
yesterday to carefully scrutiniZe the evils
In amateur athletics and make plans for
a number of reforms. Just what the
researchers want to do is not yet very
clear. They suggest new national ath-
ietic federation, to run all the athletics
in the country. They argue that this Is
not a slap at the Amateur Athletic Mon,
which is now the controlling body, but is
merely advancing "A new organization.
which will have a widsr scope and viii
carry on simpler and more harmonious
administration of amateur athletics. Be
ing outside. the Research Society de-
ciares that it can see where an organiza-
zion like the Amateur Athletic Union
makes mistakes, and it stands willing and
ready to correct them.
In the convention were men who repre-
sent many different kinds of athletic or
CARNATIONS. Among the delegates were
representatives from colleges, Young Mems
Christian Association organizations, secon-
dairy schools elementary schools, Sunday
schools and churches, social settlements,
Fairgrounds, athletic clubs turn verein
societies. rural schools. boys clubs, nor
NAL and training schools and military
athletic associations. &. W. lettering
ton of the University of Missouri Pre-
sided as chairman.
There was much talk of revolution and
war, and the society seems determined
10 keep on working until amateur athlet-
les Is absolutely pure. 1t says that it is
not looking for trouble and does not wish
to do anything which would place other
athletic organizations in wrong light
George w. Ehler, secretary of the Ath-
letic League of Baltimore. told about
what he believed to be deplorable con-
dition in amateur athletics. He admitted
at the start that he was a kicker"
The spirit of unrest is almost univer-
sal among athletes today he said. 'and
it is so in every city in the country. 1t
isn't confined to any one kind of organ
lzation. but L have noticed them all
Mr.. Eher said that when a young man
Is asked to take part in amateur athletics
today the first thing he asks is. What's
there in it," He said that even in Sum
day school base ball league he has known
cases of where player was paid to try
10 win the game. lie said he knew many
cases OF it in the Young Mems Christian
Association. too, and in colleges and
schools. Mr.. Ehler wasn't very cheerful
about reform. He said that when a boy
got to be sixteen years old 1t was too late
then TO convert him. The substance of
his talk was that TO get pure athletics 1t
when. they We're in the elementary schools.
It's time to revolutionize the spirit of
amateur sport said Mr.. Ehler.
DR.. j. H. McCurdy Of the Springfield
Young Mems Christian Association Train
ing School wanted to see a new national
federation. He said that he wanted to
see 1t brought about without a war, but
was willing to fight for Ii il necessary.
Much of the discussion was of a general
nature, and no definite statements were
made as to- just where this unsatisfactory
condition was centered. The opinion that
athletics were not what they ought to be
was universal. but the speakers made no
specific arraignment of the charges.
DIR. George j. Fisher of this city advo-
Cated the formation of a national fedora
ton, which would simplify the admins
tration of athletics throughout the coun
try. He believed that all organizations
allied with this federation should be al
lowed to compete with each other. DIR.
Fisher said that many of the organiza-
lions now allied with the Amateur Ath-
letic Union were not allowed to compete
with each other. He also wanted an or
sanization that would listen to the COM
plants OF allied bodies and do something
to better these conditions. DIR. Fisher
said that he has known cases where the
Amateur Athletic Union has been APP
pealed to and nothing but trouble re-
suited.