Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-27
THORPE LIKELY
TO Be BARRED
Great Athlete Will Probably
Never Compete in an A.A.U.
Meet Again.
HIS NAME IN BASE
BALL RECORD BOOK
Assertions That He Played
Borne Out by Records-May
Be a Hit at Warner.
BY n. C.. BYRD.


Jim Thorpe has probably contested for
the last time as an amateur athlete. If
the statements made by men in a posi-
ton to know and If the records in base
ball are correct, then Thorpe will be de-
clared professional by the Amateur
Athletic Union. and will he barred from
further competition in meets held under
its sanction.
Just when and how the rumor was car
ried before the officials of the Amateur
Athletic Union would be hard to TELL but
suffice it to say that in some way it got
wind of the fact that a manager of one
of the teams in the Carolina League had
made the statement that Thorpe had
played professional base ball on a team
that he had managed. Thorpe was i'm
mediately suspended. and after that the
manager in question refused to admit
that he had made statements to the eff
feet that the Indian was a professional,
and went further and said that he knew
nothing that would reflect on Thorpe's
status as an amateur.
Whether or not this will hold true
when brought before the A. A. l.. com
nave as an addition to the well defined
rumor the records as laid down in the
record books of base ball. The base ball
guide for 1910 which also gives the
records of the players in 1909. states that
Thorpe played with the Rocky Mount
team In the defunct Eastern Carolina
League. Also the 1910 records show
that Thorpe played with the Fayette-
Vile club in the same league
When Thorpe comes before the COM
mlttee, II he contests his case, it will be
up TO him to prove that he is not the
Ihorpe whose name is placed in the
h<ar r.
that is a question that will not be an
swered until the trial has been conducted
1t should not be difficult matter for him
10 do If he is not the man. but If SO it
not again be allowed to compete as an
amateur. Whether not Thorpe will be
barred from the A. A. L. is a question,
but the coincidence of the statements
and the manner in which they are borne
out in the record books would tend to
show that he did perform as a paid ball
player in 1909 and 1910
Whether or not the fact that Thorpe is
barred from the A. A. L., if the charges
against him are substantiated will affect
him In playing foot ball is something that
will have to be determined by the author
tiles at Carlisle. If Thorpe has not played
in three years, and evidently is not en-
gagged in base ball as a professionalism
Is in the sense that he is earning his
living definitely by tit is probable that
he will he allowed to play. OF course,
II may De tHdt the INSTITUTIONS Wnlcn are
scheduled to meet Carlisle will enter such
vigorous protests that it will be impossi-
BILE to use him in any branch of sport.
Then, again, it is possible that the Indian
school authorities will not allow him to
represent the institution on its athletic
teams again.
Th--t a man of the prominence of
Thorpe should be barred from amateur
athletics for something that took place
years ago. and which has been discon-
tinued, Is to be extremely regretted. Not
only will Thorpe be barred from further
participation In amateur athletics, but it
is probable that the United States, for
the first time in its history, will be SUBJ
jected to the humiliation of having to
make amends for the use of a man who
was a professional. Personally, it will
mean a big loss of prestige to Thorpe.
as he will not only lose all the records
with which he is accredited, but will have
to return the trophies which have been
awarded him.
traction. too, If Thorpe is barred. He
was expected to compete here in the
George Washington and Georgetown
meets, and was also booked to appear in
practically every set Of games to be held
in the country.
II may be that a huge mistake has
been made. and that Thorpe did not play
with the teams with which he Is said to
have been. but everything points toward
him as having been member of two
clubs in as many years.
There is one phase of the suspension of
Thorpe for having played base ball that
has not yet been considered or thought
of generally. About a month ago Glen
Warner came out with statements to the
effect that base ball was making buns
of players, and made several other harsh
sayings against the game. Those say
ings created enemies for Warner among
those back Of base ball, and they were
not long in finding method OF retribu-
ton. There Is little doubt that Thorpe
owes his suspension to the fact that il
was the desire on the part of some peo-
pie to show that, even though it was the
opinion of Warner that base ball made
buns" of players, he had former ball
player under him who was the greatest
athlete in the world. 1t seems very prob
able that the charges as brought against
Thorpe are more of a hit at Warner
himself than anything else.
A new theory has been advanced for
the poor showing of Yale athletic teams,
comparatively speaking, during the last
few years. The idea is the fruits of the
observations of a former pitcher OH a
not be the real reason for the failure
of championships to go to New Haven.
it is rather interesting. when / was in
college, said Walter F.. Carter. '95.
dergraduate had his own equipage. his
private tournout, although such men as
Cornelius Vanderbilt. Moses Taylor
Harry Whitney and Phil Mcmillan were
at Yale. How many of you fellows now
nave Your own private touring cars? If
you will stay right in New Haven Satur-
day nights instead of running down TO
broadway you will pick up the old spirit
or hShting for Yale
carter laid it down fatty TO the as
seinbled candidates that Yale has won
but three base ball championships since
30. the trio coming in '9S when Gil
Greenways team took the honor, in 1895
when Morgan Bowman landed it. and in
1909 when Fred Murphy was captain.
1t is announced that the National Guard
Will hold its regular championship wrest-
ling tourney February % and %. The
first mentined date the prelimina ries will
take place. and the last the finals will
he contested The classes fo he MT IN
are as follows: 100. 1l5 IN 125 145
Us pounds and heavyweight class.
The next basket ball games tn he nIaved
by Georgetown and Catholic University
will take place Wednesday night The
Blue and Gray is scheduled tn meet rho
Virginia Military Institute five and the
Brooklanders are booked to go AGAINST
the North Carolina Agricultural and Ne
chanical College. Both games will he
played Wednesday night
Maybe Frank Chance thinks some nick
names are knocknames.