New-York tribune., 1915-03-21
Radical Changes Have
Been Proposed by Spe-
Cial Committee.
MARATHON RUNNERS
WOULD BE HARD HIT
Back Lines To Be Provided IN
Jumps and Pole Vaults
DecathlOn Adopted.

The special committee appointed ny
the degates OF the Amateur Athletic
Union to amend some of the general
and athletic rules Of the associat on
has completed its work, and copies OIL
the proposed changes have been mailed
to the board of governors for approval
Changes in twenty of the rules nave
been suggested, some Of which are RAD
lcal. In a great number OF cases ne
committee recommended changes which
would conform with the rules decided
on by the International Amateur Atm
/ letic Federation, Union. at its meeting
in France last summer.
The committee, which is headed b.
Justice Barlow s. Weeks, requests that
the rules receive prompt approval, so
that they may become effective lmn1-
diateiy. It is certain, however. that
several Of the proposed changes VIII
be objected to by the governors.
The most radical is in regard to mar
athon running races. The lnterna-
tionat Union voted to deprive contest
ants of the right TO receive nouriih q
ment during the course OF race, or 10
have the assistance Of bicycle rider
and the committee has seen fit TO sane
ton this change. The long race - one
of the most popular contests on me
Olympic programme. 1t is cXpec'e !
that this provision will call forth
strong disapproval from clubs.
h. T.. Babb. Of Boston, the New Eng
land delegate. is sure to file protest
on this change. the Boston Athletic
Association conducts its annual "a
riots Day marathon race in Boston on
April 49,. and the victor is herald"d as
.ba nf
lea. Mr. Babb is bitterly opposed &c
the recommendation, and declares that
( TO refuse contestants any nOurlshmei
or coaching from bicycle riders would
I be inhumsr and result in decided
drop in interest on the part Of ath-
! letes.
In weight events hereafter no record
/ will be allowed unless the implement
/ has been officially stamped to certify
! that it complies with the specifications
| of the union. This change has been
: agreed upon by the international
, Union. and will prevent any further
trouble in competition where records
have been made with short weights. OF
in the use of javelin or discus wnlch
does rot comply with the rules.
Another change TO General Rule %
which refers to the field competitors
is that after throw is made, except
. ing in the weight for height, the con.
testant must remain in the circle until
his effort is marked by the officials
This will bring out clearly the fou
throws. The circle in the discus
event will be feet pig inches, in
stead of feet.
. In relay races zone OF twenty
wards ten yards on either side of the
finish lire has been allowed within
which a runner must pass the baton tc
his succeeding runner. -,
Balk lines arc TO be provided IN all
jumping and pole vaulting contests
and two balks will here after be count
ed as a trial. The ground Just beyond
the take-Of in the jumping contests
will be sprinklcd, to make foil Jumps
more discernible. The uprights in Z
high lump contest are not TO be moved
after the first man has taken his Jump
In walking events in the future al
official will have the power TO dis
qualify competitor in the last fur
long. instead o. the last A4O yards
which heretofore was the rule.
Swimmers who finish second an(
third in senior championship races vii
still be eligible to compete for junior
titles.
Tho decathlon has been substituted
for the individual all-around competI
tion. while the travelling expenses OF
an athlete will be limited to 50 a day
in accordance with the federation rueS