New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-27
u. S. Athletes
Sail After
Near Strike
Olympic Team Makes
Noisy Objection When
1t Hears of Below Deck
Quarters ON Transport

The farewell reception to the Ameri-
can athletes who arc to contest in the
Olympic games at Antwerp became a
protest meeting at the Manhattan
Opera House yesterday afternoon when
it was announced that the men would
be CHARTERED below decks on the United
States transport Princess Matoika dur.
! ing the voyage across the Atlantic.
A spirit of indignation appeared as
soon as Gustavus T. Kirby, president
of the American Olympic committee,
explained that the men would not be
assigned to staterooms.
A score of athletes gathered around
Mr.. Kirby and demanded an explana-
ton. For minute or two it appeared
that the all-American team would sail
without the bulk of its championship
material.
Mr.. Kirby had said that the team,
with the exception of the women SWIM
mers,, would be quartered below deck
in hunks constructed for troops. The
women, he explained, would be assigned
four to stateroom. Coaches, officials
and army officers who are members of
the team would occupy staterooms
1t was 2 o'clock, and the Princess
Matoika was to sail at 4.
"Our athletes are going over under
conditions which are far from ideal, so
far as convenences are concerned"
Mr.. Kirby said. "The quarters are not
exactly what we would like them to be-
but | am sure the athletes will be pa
hn
Sample of Athletic Patience
And straightway Mr.. Kirby was
treated to sample of athletic patience.
Charlie Paddock, the Pacific Coast
sprint marvel, was the first to address
Mr.. Kirby. Back Of Paddock were
grouped a score of determined "stronp
men,"
"Do we get staterooms?" demanded
Paddock
"You do not" said Mr.. Kirby, "but
you will be we'll taken care of"
Twenty athletes shouted their disap-
proval.
where will we Sleep" they yelled
A score of questions were hurled at
Mr.. Kirby, who was inclined to wilt,
but who was powerless to alter the
plans at the last hour.
"You will not be below the water
line" he said finally. "and there will be
lots of room"
liar, har!" shouted a group of the
angry athletes.
Joie Ray, of Chicago, was a team
member who made vigorous protest.
He argued that the men would not be
in proper condition after humping
voyage below deck. Paddock declared
that unless he got stateroom he would
refuse to go aboard, but Mr.. Kirby
finally persuaded him to change this
decision. Paddock boarded the ship.
That coaches, army officers and of
hcials wer getting the staterooms
proved a sore spot for the rank and file
who are expected to hold up the honors
of America on the fields of Antwerp.
The disgruntled spirit wouldn't down.
Mr.. Kirby maintained that the UNI
desirable conditions were unavoidable
and were brought about principally by
the failure to use the steamship North
ern Pacific for the trip. This ship was
engaged, but it was found to be unsea-
worthy.
That being the case" Mr.. Kirby
said, Eve accepted the governments
offer of the Princess Matoika."
Parade to Pier
This ended the argument, and the
athletes who had been cheered and
"farewelled" by friends and relatives,
started for Pier "a.
Big Pat Mcdonald, carrying the col
ors and fanked on the right by Matt
McGrath, and on the left by Alderman
Continued page threc)