The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-25
MEL SHEPPARD QUITS
IRISH AMERICAN CLUB
Veteran Middle Distanccr and
Captain Will Enlist Under
MillrOse A. A. Banner.
PROVES 1T BY OWN ACTS
Enters Naval Battalion Games
Unattached-Flynn and Ryan
About to Follow Him.

Members Of tn. Irish American A. e.
stopped worrying about the disturbance
In the old country yesterday to confront a
similar situation In their own organization
here. The desertlon ~ British army off
GERS paied into insignifcance before the
information that was banded about town
that Melvin W. sheppard. captain of the
Irish American A. -, had forsworn ale
glance to the Winged Fist and vas pre-
pared to enlist under tn, Mllrose \. A.
banner.
The first authentic information in re-
Gard to the situation came with tie en-
try of Sheppard for tho Second Naval
Battalion gaines to he held next satur-
day. Instead of "nts rims as member Of
the irish American A. 6. In. club cap
tain sent In his entry as unattached. and
Il was stated yesterday by men who
know Sheppard that he will continue to
run as unattached until his term Of pro-
baton ends, when he will represent the
Nillrose a. a.
Further It was stated that some OF the
rank and flle OF the Irish club would
follow in the footsteps Of the noted mid
die distance runner. Pat Flynn. the
Irish long distance man, who had VIC
tory over koleamainen TO his credit in
England is one Of the men alleged to I've
flirting with the Millrose \. A. Pat Ryan.
who dropped out OF the Winged Fist ranks
a short while ago. only 10 return in time
fur the indoor championships. also il
said 10 be considering the ACCESSIBILITY
Of jumping to the M!lirusc. The loss OF
these men viii mean a serious drawback
TO the Irish American \. G.. IN point scor-
ing, and the club members are incenscd at
the desertion Of sheppard after he had
tal n "a n N th,. club
Sheppard's liking for the Millrose A. A.
began "A short while before the games OF
the club held In Madison square Garden
this winter. At that time he became n
member of q relay team. which started
out as all interstore team and finished up
as an intercity team because the registra-
ton committee insisted that the men
would have TO run in the race in the
colors OF the Cluos with which they were
registered. Homer Baker, D. Kuhn and
Ray Bonsib were other members OF this
team. The Millrose \. \. has been making
great strides in the athletic world re-
Gently and II has just been Announced
that the Organization would have club
house and grounds on the site OF the
old broadway Athletic club
Sheppu ri has spent his whole time in
athletics ~ n member Of the Irish Amer
lean A. C.. and il Is doubtful II any otho ?
man has earned 50 many points in open
competition. lie has been a the top OF
the lee as a middle distance runner for
ten years. and though beaten In the la: t
A, A. l.. half mile champions came
back and d. feated Homer Baker his con-
auerer. In the metropolitan championship.
That he still retains his toi II vas shown
at the Military Athletic League cham
piorships a little over a week ago. IL"
won the quarter OF mile with great
burst OF speed from good field
Additional interest il given to the two
mile race at the games Of the Second
Naval Battalion on saturday next by the
entry OF Willie Kramer, which was re-
ceivcd yesterday. He viii tackle Harry
Smith and Hannes Kolehmainen. so that
the sensational race which was the feature
Of the indoor championship may be du-
plcated. Kramer decided to com" back
after running trial at the Thirteenth
Regiment on Sunday morning, He reelcd
on the two miles In minutes 81 4-5 sec
Onds. and those who saw him run said
that he had plenty left at he finish.
Homer Baker, who made an armory rec
ord for 1000 yards at these games last
year, IL again scratch an the handicap at
this distance, hut will nave TO beat the
new flyer Anderson, running from the
same mark. Mel Sheppard nd Hal Hell
land are the scratch men in the 800 yard
handicap
Al COPELAND. who was booked to sail to-
morrow to take up his duties as coach of
the Austrian olympic team, ha5 changed
his plans. lie will leave on the New Yorl;
on Friday and viii be accompa ed by his
wife and daughter