The Detroit times., 1914-09-21
WHO Will HEAD
THE A.A. IT,? IS
NEXT QUESTION
The Fate Of Amateur Athletics
Hangs With Man Who Sue
ceeds Sullivan
WESTERNERS SUGGESTED
BY HUGHIE FULLERTON
Stagg or HUFF Would Broaden
the Sphere of Amateur Sports
in the Country
BY HUGH s. FULLERTON

pI hIoh -. LLLhL N<s
The United States now has an OPP
portunity never before experienced OF
stepping to the front In amateur attn
!etics and taking the lead among all
nations In athletic sports.
The death OF James K. Sullivan
clears the way TO that opportunity.
Much as Sullivan's death win be la
'mented by athletes and by those who
for years have been associated with
him In the conduct OF amateur games
in this country, q change in the dicta-
torial policy which obtained in the
Amateur Athletic union under him
will be welcomed.
Sullivan was head OF the American
olympic committee, secretary and
really the central power of the A. A.
U. and the most absolute rules OF ath-
letics we ever have had.
II is not seemly to criticise the con-
duct OF affairs by Sullivan during the
years he has been the supreme
authority and dictator In athletics. II
Is enough to say that there exists and
has existed for years bitter resent
ment against the A. A. U. and it's rul-
ings. charges % favoritism and unfair
has not worked for the best interests
of athletics.
It Is probable that similar criticisms
would have been made against any
man or set Of men placed In similar
positions. The alleged influence of q
certain sporting goods manufacturing
house over amateur athletics also has
worked against the best interests OF
sport.
SuIlivan's untimely death, which
followed quickly upon an operation,
leaves q. vacancy the filling OF which
may make or mar amateurism In the
United States. We have no man In
this country so wellknown nor any
who stands as high In the estimation
Of European athletic leaders as did
Mr.. Sullivan. We have several who
hold q place In America even higher
than that held by Mr.. Sullivan. Alfred
LII. jr.. president OF the A. A. u. is
comparatively unknown outside OF
Boston, and Judge Barlow Weeks Is
only q temporary successor to Mr.
Sullivan. The choice of successor
to the head Of the A. A U. means
much.
Besides taking over control OF all
sports there Is chance to bring dis
uenting sporting organizations into
the A. A. u. field and to add to the
organization the various amateur
baseball bodies.
Before any successor to Sullivan is
given full power an effort should be
made to allow all amateur athletic
bodies to have voice In the selec'
tion.
A man such as A. A. Stagg, OF the
University OF Chicago; Walter Camp,
e. C.. Patterson and George Hun
might broaden the scope Of amateur
ism, and do great good.
The objection to the A. A. U. has
been that II was more or less OF q
self-created body; delegating powers
to itself and assuming more powers.
These original powers were conferred
upon 1t by the organizers, but as 9TH
er organizations Joined II they did 90
because there was no other governing
body--not that they believed In or
subscribed to all its rules and laws.
Everyone In the athletic world rec
ognizes the necessity Of having gov.
erning body. so the A. A. U. grew and
expanded, and became the one power.
while, perhaps, not q third of the or
ganizations under It's control had any.
thing to do or say with what It's rules
and laws were to be.