Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-10-30
HAND 10 SUIT ALL NATION
Much Agitation Abroad Over ANA
teur Question.
AIM TO UNITY THE DEFINITION
Few Queries Are sent 60 Americans,
but Replies that DO Come Sue
coed I'm Exciting Much
Interest.

NEW YORK, oct zs.-Ths Revue Olym-
pique," the official -organ Of the Interna-
tional Olympic committee, devoted lot Of
space recently to the unificauon Of the
amateur definition, and II frankly admits
that after two years Of hard work upon
the question the agreement to a rule
which would suit all countries Is well nigh
impossible. As TO what Is to be done with
regard to the games OF 1872 Theodore Cook
OF England Is Of the opinion that the
wisest policy TO pursue Is TO let the Swed-
ish definition OF the amateur prevail at
that meet. Until a standardized definition
OF the amateur is unearthed, It is better
to let the country holding the games attend
to the matter
When the international committee started
to get at the universal definition Of the
amateur an English sporting paper sent
queries to every country in the world ask
Ing for the opinion Of men versed in anna
teur sport Very few questions were asked
OF Americans, and It was curious that
those in a position we're not asked for their
views For instance no man at the head
OF the Intercollegiate A A. A. A., or the
Amateur Athletic union. the two great
governing bodies Of amateur sport in Amer
lea, told what they thought would be a
good all around definition Of the amateur.
The views OF a few Americans were pub
lished, but they were useless because they
came from men who were not versed in
the modern statistics Of track and field
sports or else knew little or nothing about
amateurism. II was remarkable that one
or two Americans gave opinions, and they
were never inside an athletic field In
their lives nor had affiliahon with any
athletic association on this side OF the
water.
American Replies Interest.
In referring to the information from
/ America the "Revue Olypique' says THE
replies from tho American associations and
universities are perhaps the most interest
ing Of all the series in that they exemplify
the variations In point of detail which
may accompany agreement in principle,
The questions put by Prof Sloane are not
| identified with the five sent round to the
European associations, but they develop the
same opinions. The preliminary questions
as to the desirability Of a general definition
of the amateur and the advisibility OF re-
stricting international sport by such a defl-
milton reveals a large majority in favor
of the movement toward unificaton, while
| all are agreed that no athlete can derive
profit directly IN money or moneys worth
and remain an amateur.
When, however. we arrive at the de-
batable ground OF expenses. we find that
while five universities agree with the
| limitation of expenses, two universities and
six associations do not The United States
we may remember is a vast country, and
the difficulties inherent upon the develop
ment of amateur sport there have rem.
dered some relaxation to the hard and fas
limit necessary. But many suspension;
have been made of athletes who have de-
manded unreasonable expense money, and
It may be taken that while the associa
items. limiting expenses to actual disburse
ments Of the athlete, are not prepared t
set down any definite limit to the amount
of expenses which an athlete may incul
owing to the magnitude of the Journeys
which he may be compelled to take. il
Europe generally the allowance of travel
ing and hotel expenses is recognized, but II
several instances the wise precautioh Il