The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-28
ATHLETIC GROWTH
Popularity of Athletics in America Rapidly
 Increasing.
Increasing.

the foundation of the New York A. C.. the regulation of athletics was at tempted.
 The first American track and field championship was held in 1876. The New York A. c. arbitrarily took con- trol of the government of athletics at that time, and gave championship events until the formation of the N. A. A. A. A. which was absorbed by the A. A. U. in 18S8 since which time all control of amateur competition has been under the Jurisdiction of the pres ent governing body
 AS long ago as 1888. the A. A. U., in its constitution, put itself on record very strongly on 4e question of pub lie play-grounds aid baths, as will be seen on page 73 of the A. A U. Hand book. This proves conclusively that the Amateur Athletic Union early realized that the future of athletics rested in the playground movement The organization believes in play grounds and its entire record has been consistent in furthering what is now conceded to be a necessity in every large city and town. The officials of the A. A U. helped to organize the Public Schools Athletic League. the world, and year after year at the an- nua1 meeting of the A. A. U. the dele gates assembled are instructed to ren- der every encouragement to the leagues in their various districts. The Catholic Athletic League. another also suggested and organized by of ficials of the A. A. U. The A. A. ID. has never been derelict in it's efforts to help the physical welfare of the youth of the country
 Amateur sport would not be on the plane that it is today were it not for the Amateur Athletic Union. It would exist in certain locations only. The A. A. D. believes in standardization and strong national organizations. and, as matter of fact. the first cham pionship meeting of the A. A. U. was held in Detroit in 1888. in preference to some one of the larger eastern cit ies where athletic meetings were not uncommon. The success of the De- troit meeting in attracting athletes who otherwise would never have been seen in the West was so pronounced that the A. A. U. since then has fol- lowed the custom of holding the an- Eual meetings in various parts of the country from the Atlantic to the Pa cific.
 They have been held at different times in New York. Chicago. Milwau- kee, Seattle, Portland, St. Louis and Jamestown, and on October 14th and 18th. this year. they will go to New Orleans, this being the first time the national events have gone to the Cres- cent City.
 The A. A. U. from the day of it's in- ception has annually conducted the championships in the various lines of athletic sports-sometimes at a. great loss-in track and field and all-around events, and it is ever ready to help the cause of amateur sport.
 Records have fallen one after an other under it's guiding hand until at the present time they are at such fig ureS that it seems hardly possible for them to be surpassed
 The success of the A. A. U. has not been achieved without hard work. It has had many hard knocks. because there is always an element that does not want to be controlled for various reasons, and that element has to be fought. The Union is built on sound grounds and cannot be destroyed. Its may come and go, but new blood will constantly fill vacancies If the lines laid down at it's organization are fol- lowed. the Union is sure to succeed. It is recognized by every American sportsman and denounced by a, few for lete of the decades prior to the late sos could interest the present day reader if he would tell him of the chaotic condition of affairs prior to the organization of the A. A. U. Track athletes competed under assumed names for money prizes; professionals were brought from different sections of the country and competed one day for prizes and the next for money. Often an athlete who won a prize was lucky If he ever got 1t. Money or Gers were given as prizes. returnable or marketable at certain stores The athlete could buy a necktie for a, few cents and get the remainder in cash. The A. A. U. has made athletics re- spectable by a uniform system of reg C 1frnl can compete today without danger of being unjustly criticised or unfairly dealt with
 Contrary to the general belief, the A. A. G- has no quarrel with the rec ognized professional. The Union is