Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-10-03
MANY ATHLETES,
Do NOT AGREE
WITH RULING
Pacific Coast Association
Will not Allow Foreigners
to Compete for Titles.

San Francisco, CAL, Oct. 3.-Ama-
teur athletes Of the Pacific coast are
taking than a superficial interest
in the resolution recently passed by
the Pacific Athletic association Of
Amateur Athletic Union that foreign
athletes hereafter be barred from
competing for American champion
ships. The resolution was fathered
by, Robert Dodd, president Of the To-
car association, and it is his intention
to take the matter up with the ma
tional body at its mex meeting.
Just what success it will meet with,
remains to be seen. There are many
persons who are interested in amateur
athletics who r not at all in SYM
pathy with the idea. For many years
the athletes of any country have been
welcome to participate in any cham
pionship events in another country.
Many claim that this has beep an in
centive to better performances.
Americans hold many foreign records
and a number of American records
are held by athletes abroad.
John. Elliott. who has been a
prominent figure in athletics on the
Pacific for a great many years and
who is a past president Of the Pacific
association, is one Of those who be-
lieves that sport will be the loser by
interesting foreign entries He goes
further and advocates an athletic
tournament every five years for the
particular object Of inviting foreign
competition, and to encourage their
presence he advocates that part of
their expenses be betrayed by the ma
tional body.
II am opposed to the tramp ath-
lete," said Elliott. II don't think
any Tom, Dick or Harry should be al
lowed to come here and take away
our titles. 1 am not opposed to for
elgners competing in the United
States championships, provided the
laws Of the A. A. U. distinctly state
they can compete, and provided such
country with the proper credentials
OF their country.
L am in hopes that when condi-
lions permit it after the war the A.
A. U. will, about every five years, en-
deayor to arrange an international
meet or series of meets in this -coun-
try and invite all foreign countries to
send their best athletes. Some Of the
expenses Of such a meet I would sug-
gest be betrayed by the A. a.. U. to
get foreign men here. Such a meet
"oNAu w d DA6 dLlI dCSlOu, ana LNOU
after these series are held let the
United States championships be con.
tested and invite these visiting ath-
letes to compete in the events for our
titles. I believe in being big and
broad in this and such a series of
meets would be a great thing for the
track game Of the country.
1T is the so-called tramp ath-
lete.' that I am opposed to. II would
not give him the slightest encourage.
ment nor would 1 leave any door open
in any proposed A. A. U. legislation
which would allow those chaps to
break in. But when it comes to or
ganized Journeys with the backing OF
the governing bodies Of foreign
countries, approved and desired by
the governing body Of u own coun.
try. then I say let them in"
The resolution Of the Pacific Ath!
letic association will be forwarded
on to New York in plenty Of time fol
the legislation committee to report
".-