Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-06-02
KAHANAMOKU
! WILL TURN PRO
At $3.50 WEEKLY
HOPPE AND BENJAMIN
FIGURE IN AGREEMENT
Hawaiian Athletes Signature
Said to Have Been Secured
on Board Steamer

ment which was signed.


ment which was signed.
Il believe that Duke could make q
success in the work, and $1,000 a
month is not 10 be laughed at, said
Mr.. Marquez today. When one real
izes that this Is as much as our con-
gressmen make then II is time to
study the situation. and I believe the
large amount was what tempted Duke
10 place his signature on the docu-
meot My action IN the matter was
merely formal. and had no part In
inducing Duke 70 turn professional. 1
did want him TO have good contract
The following story. as given 70 the
San Francisco Examiner. outlines the
worl< that Benjamin has mapped out
for Duke;
"Kahanamoku has placed himself
under the management of BENJAMIN,
and WIN arrive here in about, four
weeks. He viii be taken East at
once. and wiz give exhibitions Of surf
board riding at Atlantic City and New
port. Benjamin says that Duke al
ready has been At these places. and Is
satisfied that the surf is plenty big
enough to enable him TO show his skill
on the native skids7
AT the conclusion Of the open.air
season IN the East BENJAMIN will put
his charge on the vaudeville stage.
where he. viii give exhibitions Of bis
skill In the water. Duke can do many
astonishing things IN the water be-
sides swimming fast, among them
being the novel and strange trick OF
biting the heads off live fish. His
manager says this will be part Of
his stage business
Rawlips u surprised.
I can hardly believe 1t, said w. r..
Rawllns today when told about the
announcement 1T is all news to me.
as Duke has told me on occasions
that he had no thought of taking a
professional career at present. ] re-
gref, Of course, that was not let in
on the secret This may change the
plans OF bringing the swimmers here.
but viii not make any announcement
until the committee meets.
Mr.. RaWlins has accompanied Duke
on all OF his tours to the mainland,
and was on the last trip when Duke
made new records He has been
close friend Of Duke. and was very
largely instrumental In irving the
champion q start on his way to the
worlds championship.
When asked this morning whether
or not the signing of an agreement
would have any effect on Dukes anna
feur lstanding, and whether Duke
would be allowed to compete against
the champions who are coming here
for the big swimming carnival. LorriR
Andrews Of the A. A. q. stated that
he did not know, but the matter would
be presented to the official body Of
the organization.
An agreement or option signed by
Duke Kahananloku viii not bar him
from competition in the coming SWIM
ing carnival in July said John SOper
OF the A. Al. u. today. Had con-
tract been signed, or money accepted,
the A. A, u officials would have been
forced to bar Duke from competition.
He agreed only 10 terms, with pro-
viso. Duke will appear against the.
mainland champions. unless he signs
contract before the meet"
Herbert Vollmer. Perry McGillivray,
Ted Cam, Ludy LANCER and George
cunha were coming here to compete
in the July races. and Duke was to
meet them at the naval slip. The
mere signing of an agreement. with
out a money deposit. may not bar
him from competition. according 20
one OF the A. A. u. members today.
provided he does not carry out an.
OF the terms of the contract foy which
he is to receive $3.50 per week.
Duke Admits Action.
Il have decided to become a pro-
fessional." said Duke Kahanamoku to-
day, provided that proper arrange
menfs tre made whereby ! will be
guaranteed a certain sum for my
work This decision was made after