The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-21
WAFFLE BEGS MERCY
FOR SUSPENDED MEN
Appcals TO South Atlantic Body
in Favor Of New York A. c.
swimming Team.
REVOLT STORY Is DENIED
Pilgrim Says Boys Must Take
Medicine for Breaking
4. A. U. Rules.

The severe penalty Of six months sus-
,.,.lon inflicted on ten New York A. c.
,rimmers by the South Atlantic Associa-
,on Of the A. A Y. was the talk Of the
athletic world yesterday. The blow Is a
,,upnirg ono for the sport In this district
and seriously affects the meet which will
b.s.u In Madison Square Garden tonight
b, connection with the Sportsmen's Show.
A, arst rumors were in circulation OF a
,,.ak between the New York A. G. and
the 4. A. L.. but when all had simmered
down Il looked as though the matter
would be fought out along the lines OF
A. A. L. legislation.
otto Wahle. chairman OF the swimming
committee Of the Metropolitan Associa-
ION. took the first active steps In behalf
u me suspended men by appealing to the
hoard Of managers OF the South Atlantic
Association against the decision OF the
reglstfation committee. In making the
eppeal he distinctly stated that he was
no, acting on behalf of the New York A.
q OF which he Is a member. but for the
sake OF the sport In this district. The
appeal was based on the following
grounds:
First-Because on previous offences OF
a similar nature punishment has been
much less severe.
secona--Leniency should have prevailed
n this case because the athletes them
selves broke the law In ignorance
Thrd-Because the punishment does
not mean only that the ten swimmers Will
be kept out OF competition. but almost
means the killing Of swimming In the
Metropolitan Association, which depends
greatly on the support II receives from the
New York \. C.
The appeal was despatched yesterday
and was followed by kilograms in an effort
70 get hearing by the South Atlantic
board as early as possible In the hope
that some redress may be obtained before
the meet in the Garden ends. In defence
Of the position taken Wahie pointed gu,
that the Washington Y. NJ &. a. team had
competed against the Navy and that the
men had been suspended for only one
month With this warning In view q
team from the same club had again com
peted against the Annapolis boys and fol
the second offence the punishment had
been suspension of six months, the
dose handed out to New Workers. for the
1rst offence.
Wahie is the hardest worker for swim
ming In this district and he fears that II
the New York A. g. loses the service,
o! its crack swimmers for six months
which viii keep them out OF outdoor a,
well as indoor championships, the clut
r drop the sport. This would NEAR
the Weakening of the American team fol-
the next Olympics in very important
branch OF sport. Wahle IL in charge Of
the races in the Garden and he said thai
the events. including the championship
would be held no matter whether the
mo LAT hn nT
Failing favorable action from the Souti
Atlantic Association the case may be ap
pealed 10 the national registration com
m..t,c. After rendering its verdict thu
South Atlantic committee commune tee
10y wire with the national committee. ask
Ing whether that body could interpret thu
A. A. L. rules 50 as to exclude the nava
and military academies from the provi
SONS requiring registration and sanction
There IS no ray OF hope in this direction
- the question has been voted on by thu
A. A L,
Capt Paul Pilgrim Of the New Yori
A {. confirmed the statement of Ott'
Tahle that the club had nothing to d.
ath The appeal. He said last night tina
- far the men had not been notified o
their suspension. but that they would
abide by the rules. That settles all Ques
lion Of any revolt on the part OF tn
New York a. c.
No one could be found TO father tn
talk OF new swimming association, bu
Il was whispered around just the same
secretary sullivan OF the A. A. Y. sal
that he had heard OF no leader for sucl
an assoclat on and did not believe that on
vas contemplated He was by no mean
sverse 10 such an association II forme'
:or the general good of the sport II va
up to the men discontinued by the A. A.
70 serve out their sentences he said
Then IL they felt disposed to form . ne,
association Of all the swimming club
ne could see no reason why the A. A. I
should oppose the move.