New-York tribune., 1918-07-07
Matthews Work.
AS Handicapped
Piques Athletes
threaten to Ask Removal.
Charge Morningside A. c.
Is Favored
BY A. c. Cavagnaro


Much dissatisfaction has been ex-
pressed Of late by athletes of the Met
ropolitan Association over the handi-
Gaping of George P. Matthews, official
dispenser Of allowances in hand cap
races of the local district. The athletes
are up In arms and threaten to pre-
pare petition urging the removal of
Matthews, unless he should show i'm
provement in his work.
A number of the athletes have been
so bold as to intimate that Matthews
is partial in the ratings Of the athletes.
Matthews is member Of the Morning
side Athletic Club Of Harlem, and it
has been openly stated that he has
favored with undeserved allowances
athletes of that club. The favoritism al
legged to have been shown by Matthews
to the Morningside organization is re-
tor the many victories scored by the
Harlem runners this season.
Matthews's knowledge Of the capa-
blllties OF men in handicap races on
the track apparently is wide. Little
criticism has been voiced by the ath-
letes at the handicap in these races.
However, in road races Matthews has
been away of form, judging by the ex-
preston of the barriers, as his liberal
nandlcaIpPlng. has practically made it
impossible for back mark men in
cross-cQuntry runs 10 win the fast
time prize.
Protest Halpin's Win
The attacks on Matthews came to a
OF fhn l.
run conducted by the Red Cross on
Staten Island last Saturday. When the
race was completed and as the back
mark men crossed the line they were
surprised with the announcements that
Terry Halpin, captain of the Morning.
side 'cross-country team, had won both
the fast time and individual honors.
In this race Halpin had been allotted
start of LAS, and many athletes pro-
tested that this handicap was unusu-
ally liberal. That the athletes had
good grounds for their argument was
shown in the result, as Willie Kyronen
the scratch runner, was beaten by 19
seconds by Halpin for the fast time
prize. The athletes not only point to
Halpin's big handicap as an example of
the poor rating of Matthews. In many
other instances, they say, athletes have
been pulled down unwarrantedly to a
low mark, while others have received
increases in their allowances when, ap-
parently, they had not been trying in
previous races.
One of the biggest meets Of the pres
ent season will be staged next Sunday
on the cnder path Of the College of the
City Of New York On this occasion the
track squads of the Pastime, Morning
side and Paulist Athletic clubs will
meet in q triangular controversy for
the title among the small clubs of the
city. Ten events have been scheduled
on track and field.
Members of the Glencoe Athletic Club
have made efforts to compete in the
meet, but it appears that their request
came too late. However, the Glencoe
boys intend to challenge the winners of
the triple meet to a dual meet. In ad-
dtion to the closed events, five open
races are also scheduled. The proceeds
from the games, after the expenses
have been deducted, will be donated to
the Metropolitan Association soldier
equipment fund.
The clubs concerned in the triangu-
lar championship number among their
ranks many prominent runners. Judg
ing by the performances of the respec
tive athletes, it appears the Morning
sue ciuo mas a 6oou pi iooPcS1 VI SUI
ing the most wins. However, the Paul
ist Athletic Club, despite the loss of
many of it's star athletes, will give the
Morningside clan fight.
Willie Kyronen, the long distance
Finn, shortly will make an effort to
supplant the fifteen-mile American
record Kyronen is in fine form and
believes that he can set new figures for
the long distance. 1t is intended to get
three other capable rivals for Kyronen
to aid him in his attempt. 1t is prob
able that the race will be held in con-
junction with set of games to be held
by local club.