South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-09-19
GOOD CANDIDATES
FOR HEAD OF A.A.U.
United States Has Chance to
lump Into Leadership in
Amateur Athletics Since the
Death of James E. Sullivan.
BY HUGH S. FULLERTON.

The United States now has an OPP
portunity never before experienced Of
stepping to the front in amateur
athletics and taking the lead among
all nations in athletic sports.
The death OF James Z. Sullivan
clears the way to that opportunity.
Much as Sullivan's death will be Ia
mented by athletes and by those who
for years have been associated with
him in the conduct Of amateur games
in this country, a change in the die
tatorial policy which obtained in the
Amatelr 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.
L. and fine most absolute ruler Of
athletic{ we ever have had.
1t is cot seemly TO criticise the con-
duct of affairs by Sullivan during the
years ne has been the supreme au-
thority and dictator In athletics. 1t is
enough to say that there exists and
has existed for years bitter resent
ment against the A. A. L. and its rul
ings, charges Of favoritism and I'M
fairness an a division Of interests
that has not worked for the best in
terests Of athletics.
Changes Are Made.
1t is probable that similar crit
icisms would have been made against
any man or set of men placed in
similar positions. The alleged in
fuence Of a certain sporting goods
manufacturing house over amateur
athletics also has worked against the
best interests Of sport
Sullivan's untimely death, which
followed quickly upon an operation
leaves a vacancy the filing OF which
may make or mar amateuriSm in the
United States. We have no man in
this country so we'll known nor any
who stands as high in the estimation
or European athletic leaders as did
Mr.. Sullivan. We have several who
hold place in America even higher
than that held by Mr.. Sullivan Al
fred Lii. jr.. president of the A. A.
u, is comparatively unknown outside
OF Boston, and Judge Barlow Weeks
Is only a temporary successor of Mr.
Sullivan. The choice Of a successor
10 the head of the A. A L. means
much.
Great Work Ahead.
Besides taking over control of all
sports there is a chance to bring dis
senting sporting organizations into the
A. A q. field and to aid TO the or
ganization the various amateur base
ball bodies.
Before any successor to Sullivan is
given full power an effort should be
made 10 allow all amateur athletic
bodies TO have a voice in the selec-
ton.
A man such as A. A Stagg of the
University of Chicago; Walter Camp.
r. c. Patterson and George Huff
might broaden the scope Of amateur
ism, and do great good.
The objection 10 the A A. T. has
been that II was more or less of a
self-created body; delegating powers
to itself and assuming more powers.
These original powers were conferred
upon II by the organizers, but as 9th
er organizations Joined it they did so
because there was no other govern
ing 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 a gov
erning body, so the A. A. L. grew and
expanded, and became the one DOW
er. while, perhaps. not a thf~l of the
organizations under it's control had
anything to do or sag with what its
rules and laws were to be.