The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-01-06
EA r
Heart
BY HARRY NELLY.

When Richard Jackson resigned as
commissioner for the Amateur Ath-
letic union, the
amateurs OF De- Too Bad That
troit lost the ser.
vices of man Jackson
who has done as
much II not more, Quit A. A. v.
than any other for
the promotion OF sport among those
who do not play for hire. To be sure,
il was a part of his business 10 en-
courage sport. being manager OF a
firm that deals III sporting goods, but
he went much farther in the interests
of the amateurs than the duties OF
his business demanded.
The A. A. u. will have a difficult
task finding a man for this job equal
10 Jackson, or man who will devote
the same amount OF time TO the job.
II is a thankless position, carrying no
pay, much work and an excellent
chance OF mourning the enmity OF
everyone who transgresses the laws
of the association, and drew pen
atty in consequence. Jackson is the
head OF the Spalding basketball team
and when he suspended the y. Nj. o.
five for a plain breach of athletic cit
Guette, he was criticised. Even in his
suspension, he recommended that the
matter be adjusted speedily, but that
did not prevent a lot of discussion.
Rather than give anyone the chance
OF saying that he was prejudiced be-
cause of his connection with the Spald-
ings, he withdrew from the A. A. U.
ONCE.
There Is some food for thought in
| the recent action OF the National Com
mission relative to
Maonates Are baseball players
engaging In ex'
| Liberal hibition games at
| the close of regu
with PLAYERS. lar league seasons
| The transforming
idea never was popular with the mag
mates who lived in constant fear each
! autumn that some star player would
be injured and his usefulness cur
tailed during the next season. The
difficulty of securing first-class men
| OF major league caliber has caused
the club owners to gaze upon bal
| players of class as assets more pre-
cious than government bonds and
bricks made OF real gold. Hence
every time an athlete twisted an ankle
or famed shoulder, his case was
paraded before players and public as
an horrible example of the pernicious
influence OF post.season games.
The player, on the other hand
sought the afterseason games for 9
variety OF reasons. Chief was that II
gave him a chance TO pick up little
easy change, everything over the reg
ular salary for league work being con
sidered pure profit. Likewise nc
could indulge in baseball as a pastimC
and not as a business, which was
quite a relief after a season OF hard
work in league. Then. too, the folks
at home, usually dwelling In tank
town, had no chance to worship their
"well-known fellow townsman" dur
! Ing the regular season, and after all
there's nothing like gcing home IN
I the role or hero. The athlete would
be dIned and fused over and treated
| as a great notable.
| All lneSt ltlikS NOulIlDNltu "
make the postseason stun look
mighty desirable TO those who played
baseball for living. Consequently
there was a terrific wave OF protest
I when the rTHgHatFs dTaSged from the
strong.b box contracts which bound tnc
player during IL months OF the year
\ Then. entered ID. A. Fletcher and
his threatened third major league
Likewise entered loud announce
ment OF players union which was
to be formed for
the protection or Then Entered
the athlete AMI
which eventually. Fletcher
would be taken in
hand by some pro and His Plans.
motor and devel-
oped into another brotherhood all OF
which would cost the demon magnate