Omaha daily bee., 1911-11-19
ATHLETES DIVIDED ON RULES
Law Proposed to Compel Cinder Path
Artists to Stay with Their Clubs.
HIGHER OFFICERS WANT CHANGE
Under New Order Big Clubs Cam
not Call on Students When
They Go After Team
Trophies.

NEW YORK, Nov. 1S.-Records Of the
past show that there have been many in
teresting battles in the ranks of the
Amateur Athletic union, but a recently
proposed amendment, planned for the
protection Of the smaller clubs, has
created a sensation among the athletes
and club members.
The proposed law makes 1t mandatory
for cinder path artists developed by the
smaller clubs to stay with these clubs
II they want to join larger and more in
fluential organizations they must com
pete unattached for two years before
making a change.
Blk delegates from the METROPOLITAN
association, headed by Secretary James
e. Sullivan, will cast votes on the propo-
sition at the annual convention at the
Hotel Aston on November 90 Four of
them, whose opinions are printed below,
are In favor of the amendment.
Another important amendment to be
voted on is that appertaining to the strict
elimination OF all college men from par
ticipating In local meets.
In other words the big clubs cannot
call upon the students to help them out
when they go after team point trophies.
1t was Frederick W. Ruben, vice presl-
dent of the Metropolitan association, who
suggested the two-year unattached busi-
ness to Mr.. Sullivan. The latter had the
same thing in mind half a year before.
cts hard to impress athletes when you
do a good thing for Them" declared the
chieftain yesterday, '"but I'll bet they
will side with me and the others who
think we'll Of the new law.
New Law VIII Do Good.
Naturally they are against it now,
but II they have the club spirit at heart
and don't go after the so-called glory and
good Jobs, they will find out that the new
law will do them a whole lot OF good.
Let them stay where they belong so
that We can get more competition and
interest the public at large, instead of
the usual athletic following. II the New
YOrks and Irish-Americans capture every
thing, persons will look upon them as
the only athletic clubs in America"
Mr.. Ruben. who Is working hard to
put the amendment through, agrees with
Mr.. Sullivan in every respect.
cts a mighty good thing for the
smaller clubs" he said yesterday, "and
win cut out a whole lot of these one
night stand tricks of the fellows with a
reputation. II a club develops a man it
is entitled to keep him. unless some un-
foreseen things crops up that prevents
a young man from getting a square deal"
z. T. Hart of the Mohawks, ex-member
of the registration committee, says he
will vote for the amendments and he
feels confident they will pass without as
much as a fight.
+. ]. V. Delany is in favor OF the law
standing as 1t is, claiming 1t an in
justice to compel an athlete to compete
for two years.
zone year is plenty for a man TO run
unattached" he said, "if he wants to
lQuit club to go to another. think that
Is severe enough"
Give Minors Square Deal.
William Sparrow Robertson, who pre-.
sides over the famous roost where ath-
letes congregate daily TO tell their
troubles and who was one OF the finest
ten-mile runners back in the sos, says
It is about time that the minor organiza-
lions get square deal
e. It. Haubold Of the New York Athletic
club, believes one year is enough punish
ment for the fellows who want change.
So does w. Il. Jones OF the Irisl-Amer-
lean Athletic club. who is well qualified
to speak on this subject.
1.-TWO years is too long 10 keep an
/ active fellow on the outside looking in"
declared Mr.. Jones. But 1 like the
college idea very we'll"
Pat Conway, head Of the Winged Fist
club, has already stated his views--he is
, In favor OF the amendment
; When Harry Cloudy, the new president
. of the Pastimes, was asked what he
; thought OF It, he flared up and declared
: himself on the spot.
'If had anything to do with IT," said
| Cloudy, II would make It life term
+ Some persons may laugh when they learn
| OF my opinion, but it stands The idea
t Of big club butting in on an organiza-
5 ton like mine and stealing an athlete
whom we developed.
1T is about time stop was put to
such unfair tactics. One year Is not
!, enough; We ought 20 have two, and more,
5 IL the honored gentlemen would look upon
E It with favor"
y Practically every prominent athlete Is
against the proposition.
Mel Sheppard is one OF those who do
not favor the proposed law and secs
I nothing but hardship for the athletes.
b III / felt like quitting the disclaimer
leans tomorrow" he said. Il would have
10 compete unattached for two years II
Z Is a bad law and I agree with the fell
a lows In my class that It is not fair"