The Washington herald., 1914-11-17
Local Athletes Petition
Governing Body of OWn
W a shin gtonians Seek to
Break Away from the
S. A. A. A. u.
OTHER SPORT COMMENT
By WILLIAM PEET.

OF vital interest to athletes in Wash
ington is the meeting of the Amateur
Athletic Union at present being held in
New York City.
Reginald Rutherford, representing
the Washington Swimming Club, is the
only local delegate to the big conclave.
His official title h chairman of the reg
istration committee OF the south At
lantic Division Of the A. A. U.
During the past six weeks the various
athletic clubs and colleges OF the Dis
trict have gotten together for the pur-
pose OF entering vigorous protest against
the method employed by the A. A. L.
in its handling of local affairs. and a
petition asking that Washington be
granted a separate and distinct govern
ing body is at this writing in the hands
Of the A. A. u. officials in New York.
The petition signed by eight represen-
tative Washington athletic clubs and
colleges states brieyh conditions as at
present exist. complaints being lodged
that all OF the business OF the South
Atlantic Division OF the A. A. L. is
handled by Baltimoreans and that
Washington athletes are not given a
square deal.
Further than this. a claim is made that
the Baltimore officials are in no position
to handle local affairs, and that where
five years ago nearly 100 Washington
athletes were enrolled with the A. A. L..
less than one hundred names are at pres
ent on the list.
The A. A. L. solons are asked to divide
the present South Atlantic A. A L and
grant permission for Washington to es-
tablish a branch OF its own. with its own
officers. y healthy boom in track sports
Is promised II this scheme goes throug h.
otherwise the track game here. according
TO reliable authority. will die a natural
death.
Mr. Rutherford. the only Washington
ian in attendance at the big meeting in
New York. is heartily in sympathy with
this movement and will urge that such
a step be taken.
The petition demanding better condi-
tions for Washington is signed by repre-
sentatives from the Y. NJ {. A. Carroll
Institute, National Guard. Fairgrounds
Association. Washington Swimming Club
Georgetown, Gallaudet and Catholic Uni
versity
There has long been crying need for
reform in athletics hereabouts The Am
ateur Athletic Association. II acquainted
with the true facts, should consider seri-
ously the petition now in its hands.
Washington wants to govern its own
'-N'''' N'-S "'iN uStS llol ltllSH llIe lQed
of taking orders from a set of officials
in Baltimore. who are not familiar
with conditions in the Capital
Word was received from ClarksviIIe
Tex. that Clyde Milan. the Nationals
centerfielder. is the proud father Of
baby girl. born Sunday. Both Mrs
Milan and the infant are doing nicely.
OF interest to washingtonians who
plan to attend the Harvard Yale game
in New Haven neYt Saturday is the
following notice. Sent out from New
York: In view of the fact that 10000
persons will see the Yale e-Harvard
football game in the bowl next Satur-
day. the New Haven Railroad has ar
ranged to run twenty special trains
from the Grand Central terminal be-
at $40 o'clock in the morning
The specials will be sent away at fire.
quent intervals until Ills O'Clock.
The railroad people advise football en-
thusiasts to buy their transportation
tickets as soon as possible. also to take
the early trains. Probably 10000 per-
sons will make the trip from this city.
while $4,000 will come direct from Bos-
ton. with 5000 more from other New
England cities. The yard facilities at
the stdetracking of the special trains.
which will begin to leave there imme-
diately after the game"