New-York tribune., 1915-12-26
Taber'S Mile Greatest
Athletic Feat OF 1915
By FRANK ONEILL.

Norman s. Taber did more than any
other man 70 write lasting track ana
field history during the year now slip
ping into the hazy past. This miracle
man of the cinder path, who once wore
the colOrs Of Brown and oxford UNI
versities, won his place among the
greatest runners Of all time by running
) mile in 4 minutes ~ 3-5 seconds on
the Harvard Stadium track in Com
bridge, Mass. on July IS. He made
his record winning a place on the team
70 represent the East In the national
championships held in connection with
the Panama Pacific Exposition IN SaE
francisco.
This was the fastest mile ever run
bv human being. II shattered, by q
fraction Of second. the professional
record Of 4:i2A established by W. g..
George, Of Little Bridge, Engo on Au-
gust %, 1886.
But what doth it avail a man il he
acquire all the records ever inscribed
on parchment il ne fail in the final
test? In a measure Taber did fail IN
the final test, for he dipped his colors
10 little Joie Ray, of Illinois A. c., IN
the championship, and Ray ran the
race in 4:23 1-5.
Track and field athletics, along with
all the other sports, felt the depressing
influence Of the European war. There
were no international contests, and IN
passing it may be said that there will
be none Of eny Importance for some
time to come. The competition was
confined 20 our own athletes. with here
and there q Canadian TO add a touch
Of internatiOnalism 10 the event.
George Goulding, Of Toronto, the cham
zion walker, was the most prominent
athlete from across the border TO com
pete here during the year.
Track and field athletics, however,
we're never in a healthier condition in
this country. Young men throughout
the land have taken 10 the game, and
with what degree of success is best told
in the national championships, in which
the West scored heavily. Ii was the
first time in half a dozen years that
the championships have been decided
away from Eastern fields, and never be-
fore has such meet graced the west
ern slope of the Rocky Mountains. The
men Of the land of the setting sun
6chlv improved the opportunity, hurl-
ing the Eastern invaders back IN con-
fusion, breaking a monopoly on cham
The efforts of the officials of the
Amateur Athletic Union to purge the
ranks Of amateurs Of those who COM
mercialize their athletic ability bore
fruit when Abel r. Kiviat, of the Irish
American Athletic Club, and Harry J.
Smith. Of The Bronx Church House,
two Of the most widely known runners
In the country, were convicted on
charges Of professionalism and dis
barred from amateur competition for
an time. These men have represented
his country in the Olympic games and
have won championship titles. Hal
Holland was another man ruled out
for professionalism.
George II. Goulding, of Toronto, es-
tablished a worlds record for the
seven-mile walk, covering the distance
in 80 minutes 40 AS seconds at New
Brunswick, n. J., over the Rutgers Col
lege track on October %, 1915. This
will give the boys a mark to shoot at,
and II may be years before any one ap-
proaches IT,
College men were conspicuous IN
track and field athletics during tho
year. Half dozen won national titles
and many won local fame in their par
ticular districts. In the nationals, Ted
Meredith, the peerless runner of the
University Of Pennsylvania, defended
his title In the quarter-mile run, and
lie Roy Campbell, Of the University OF
Chicago, was first TO cross the line In
the half-mile run. Arlie Mucks. the
husky weight tosser Of the University
Of Wisconsin, showed the way TO ali
competitors in the discus and shot put
ting competition, while Harry Worth
ington, OF Dartmouth, was best IN the
running broad jump. Alma Richards,
of Cornell, who has since been ruled
out on charges Of professionalism, won
the all-sround championship. George
Bronder, of this city, now at Cornell,
won the javelin throwing competition
with the remarkable throw Of 1T feet
~. inches.
These national championships were