The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-21

That the Intercollegiate Association Of
Amateur Athletes Of America 10 ap.
preaching with all seriousness the
tremendous task Of providing this
country with a definition Of an amateur
that all governing bodies will respect
was proved by the documents ON the
subject issued yesterday. A meeting of
the delegates from practically every
governing body Of sports will be held at
the Hotel Aston next Monday and as a
preparatory move Gustavus T. Kirby. on
behalf Of the executive committee Of the
!. G A. A A. A.. issued = number OF
suggestions outlining the proposed
legislation.
These suggestions are comprehensive
and appcar to cover pretty nearly every
phase OF the intricate question that has
been the subject Of 20 much controversy
since the cases OF Legore. Bricklcy and
others came into pubhc notice. Mr..
Kirby wanted It particularly understood
that the documents handed out yester-
day contain suggestions only. but these
have been prepared carefully by tho
executive committee of the I. c. A. A.
A. A. after conferences With h leaders
In sports such as golf, lawn M and
the track and Held world.
The suggestion viii be sent to-day to
all the delegates who are to attend Mon
day's conference. They will have
plenty OF time to perise them and con-
slider their adaptability to the particular
sports they represent. 1t Is by no means
AwractoJ 80 Rntob ~ thu tssstvoaS If tho
congress at the meeting on Monday.
That afternoon will be devoted chiefly to
obtaining the views Of the delegates and
the appointment of a committee to place
those views in proper Legislative form
Mr.. Kirby Optimistic.
Several meetings may he nereseary
before an agreement on the vital Ques-
tions can be reached and many persons
interested in athletics believe II Is within
the bounds of possibility that such an
agreement never may be reached. BY
the end OF next week. however. Mr.. Kirby
hopes that all the offences against
amateurisin will be c~atalogued and
punishment to fit each crime" WIN be
devised.
The congress will have no power to
pass laws for any particular sport, but
1t is believed II will be representative OF
all the leading sports and pastimrs IN
dulged Ia by amateurs. II an agreement
Is reached II will then be the duty
Of the different delegates to submit 10
their respective governing bodies the
definition of an amateur agreed on and
have those definitions. with the penalties
inflicted for violations. Incorporated in
the constitution and bylaws of the gov
eruing bodies az soon az their annual
meetings come around.
That the suggestion will go through
as outlined even Mr.. Kirby does not be-
lieye. They are arranged to cover every
possible contingency. but prominent men
differ on the terms of many. and Mr..
Kirby said last night hat there were
some which personally he did not favor.
II most of the suggestions are adopted
there will he very few loopholes for
Offenders against the spirit as well AS
the letter OF amatcurtsm. yet in some In
stances the punishment for some or the
offenders will not be as severe as some
governing associations infiict at the pres
ent time.
The definition Of an amateur sug-
gested is extremely simple and Is fol-
lowed by acts OF disbarment which, with
one exception. that of capitalization OF
athletic fame, follow very closely on
established lines. The other causes for
disbarment are fraud. competing for
money and coaching for money.
Against COmmercialtsm.
The article relating to the capitalize.
ton OF athletic fame very clearly pre-
vents an athlete from using the name he
has made famous in sport as a wedge to
obtain none for services that could not
be obtained by the exercise OF his usual
talents iir the particular line OF business
s - Mn 3 III ~ m a
said that the feeling was against "A man
selling golf or tennis goods unless he was
a naturtl salesman. Also hat the prac-
tice Of writing for newspapers as special
lists on their particular sports was
frowned upon-especially cases In which
u regular newspaper man wrote the
articles and the noted athlete received
ply for having his name attached to the
story or received more money for the
story than the regular rates for such
work.
The idea that a man is not necessarily
a professional in all sports because he
receives pay for one is rather encouraged
in the suggestions. In providing penal
ties for coaching for money and for REIN
statement after the coaching period IL
over the suggestions are lenient In the
extreme. IL the ideas are adopted a man
WHO has competed for money in one sport
NAV after a term of five years apply TO
the governing body of any other sport
and may obtain the right 10 compete In
any sport except the one for which he
received money.
For coaches the road to amateurism
is even more open. As soon as a man
gives up coaching for money he will be
at liberty to apply to any governing body
except for the sport in which he coached
and may be ~reinstated at once. After
Ave YEARS he may become an amateur at
the game In which he coached for money.
Following are the documents given out
Yesterday by Mr.. Kirby.
suggestions Submitted by I. A.. \.
4. 4.
Not as definite conclusions. but
merely as suggestions. the I. G. A. A.
4. A., through its executive and ad-
yisory committees, submits to the row.
erning bodies Of amateur sport for
their consideration prior to the con-
ference to be held on Monday, De-
cernber 81. at 4 O'clock in the after
noon at the Hotel Aston and at which
conference the amateur and other
questions OF vital Importance to
athletic competitions will be discussed
the following:
An Amateur.