Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-07
BY II. C. BYRD.

in the Harvard stadium, when the best
talent the United States affords will COM
pete for places on the Olympic team. Al
most every man who will take part in the
events is very near a record holder and
has few superiors in the world Each
contest will bring together the best talent
possible to find in the United States and
the result should be some brilliant per-
formances.
There will be one event in which some
Of the interest will be lessened by the
absence of college runner, but the
others will have their full quota of both
college and club athletes. Experts have
been looking forward for some time to
the race that was scheduled to take place
between kiviat. Sheppard. Hedlund and
Jones, thinking that a new record would
be set up for the distance, and it comes
rather as a disappointment that Jones
will be prevented from taking part. Had
these four men run 1t is probable that
one of the fastest miles ever covered by
amateur runners would have been reeled
off.
1t is probable that one or two other
college men will not compete owing to
difficulties being had with examinations
There is not a single event on the pro-
gram for tomorrow meet in which there
are not listed five or six entries which
comprise the acme of performers in that
speciality. There can be but one result
Spectators will see a meet that as far as
the quality of the performances is con-
cerned, will be nearly, if not fully, as
good as the real Olympic games. The
times. heights and distances recorded in
the events tomorrow will probably be as
good as will be taken in Stockholm.
The class Of the meet is expected to
draw thousands of track enthusiasts, it
being generally predicted that the attend
ance will reach close TO 10000. The re-
cepts derived from this source are ex-
pected to swell the Olympic fund ma
terially.
While II there was any necessity for it
there IS every probability that john Paul
Jones could get away from Cornell long
enough to compete in the Olympic trials,
he Is undoubtedly adopting the wise
course in refraning from competition. All
this year Jones has been compelled to
take part in meet after meet and after
running in hard events he did last
Friday and Saturday, he would risk going
little stale by competing again tOmor-
row. OF course, others run the same
risk, but chances can be taken with them
because they are not sure point winners.
Jones will win the mile in the Olympic
meet unless something unforeseen hap
pens. and there is no surety that Ameri-
cans will not need the points. 1t would
be foolish to take a chance of having a
sure winner going stale for the sake OF
having him run in what would be only an
exhibition for him, as he would be as
sured of his place on the American team
no matter whether he won or not.
While it appears now that America will
win the Olympic meet, there is no telling
what may happen when the events are
run. 1t was not figured in 1908 that
there was any Splinter in the world capa-
BILE of taking the measure OF Jim Rector,
but he was defeated in spite of the favor
III lot E14
for the wonderful races run by Sheppard
in the distances there might have been a
different tale told.
1t Is impossible to foresee what sur
prises may be sprung and 1t is best to
safeguard against any.
1t is more than likely that America will
sent the greatest array of mile runners
to the mark in Olympic events that has
ever represented any one country. There
have never been three or four men in
any one nation capable Of equaling the
performance of Sheppard. Kiviat, He'd
lund and Jones' It is very likely that
all four of them can do pretty close to
what Is now the worlds record and there
is every indication that on performances
during the past two months that both
Jones and kiviat can better the marks
now standing
Practically all the games in the anna
teur leagues were declared off yesterday
because of the poor condition of the
fields. The only grounds that were in
shape are on the White lot, and both the
departmental and government circuits
played. They were the only two contests
that were held.
When the matter is ended it would not
be at all surprising to find that the Capt.
tai City League Is again doing business
with the same three clubs that have been
it's standby for the last two years. The
Sewerage Pumping Station and the Navy
Yard clubs are both apt to get in line
again in spite of assertions to the con-
trary and it will be the wise thing for
both to do. The Pumping Station pust
play in the Capital City League OF not
play at all, and its players have no desire
to get out of amateur ball entirely. The
Navy Yard team did not quit until it
thought that the league would be dis
banded. and the manager of the gum
makers stated that he would get back
that the league had a fair chance to
finish it's season
With Brentwood in the circuit and the
other teams doing their part to place the
status of the organization back on
sound footing there is no reason to think
other than that the year can be success
fully carried out
LOOMS. who pitched for the Western
High team in the high school series this
capital City League, and he will get
away with it better than is generally ex-
pected. Loomis is much better pitcher
than he has been given credit for.
This year was his first in the box,
and It would hardly be in keep
ing with the ordinary for him to know
everything in the hurting line. In anoth-
er year. il he goes back to Western.
Loomis will make some of the school
teams he faces look ridiculous. and he
will do better work against the best ANA
for.
Howard has been given an honor at
Western High that comes to but few
schooboys He will captain both the
foot and base ball teams next year. Dur
ing the past season Howard was a con-
sistent performer in each of the branches
of sport in which he will lead next year.
peculiar condition has obtained at
Central. Practically every veteran on the
track team graduates this spring. and
there Is no man who 10 eligible to re-
the views Of those in charge. There are
one or two men on whom the honor
might be conferred but 1t is probable
that the authorities will wait until next
year before selecting q man to lead the
squad. 1t is desired to get q man who
will make good in the position. and now
there is none In sight who. In the minds
Of the coach and principal. would as
| suredly be capable of accomplishing what
Is desired.
big athletic meet will be held be-
tween the elementary schools Saturday.
4 Inn Uor In. oh ~