New-York tribune., 1920-05-07
Olympic Committee Worried
About Sailing Conditions
Wants House of Repre-
sentatives to Act at Once
ON Bill to Clear Way

Unsettled transatlantic travel CON
ditions may initiate seriously against
the success of the United States teams
in the Olympic games at Antwerp this
summer unless government assistance
can be secured in transporting the ath-
letes to Belgium. This statement was
made by Gustavus T. Kirby, president
last night, following a conference to
consider the situation.
Passenger steamers sailing TO al
European ports for several months to
come are booked to capacity and every
steamship office has long waiting lists.
Tentative reservations have been made
for portion Of the track team, which
is expected to sail from this city on
July "a, but the American Olympic
that any or all of the team can leave
on that date. This is the latest day Of
departure possible if the athletes are
to have an opportunity to complete
their training in Balgium before being
called upon to meet the best runners,
field men and other performers from
all parts of the world.
Advance knowledge Of the uncer-
tainty which prevails in ocean travel
prompted the American Olympic COM
| mittee some weeks ago to ask for gov
ernment assistance in the form of
transport which would carry the Amer
lean athletes to Antwerp, regardless of
the unsettled conditions which exist
! among the commercial steamship lines
due to strikes and other causes. The
delay in passing the necessary law for
the use of such transport is seri-
ously interfering with the formation
of the team, and representatives of the
American Olympic committee will ap-
pear before the House Committee on
Military Affairs in Washington next
week and plead for favorable action
on the bill
President Kirby, in discussing the
situation last night, said "The sue
cess or failure of the United States in
the Olympic games at Antwerp deperds
to a great extent upon our ability to
transport athletes to Belgium. At the
present slime it appears unlikely that
the mmercial steamship companies
cnn accommodate all the men who wiz
be required to hold our own against
the pivk of the athletic world who
will gather there for competition. The
team, which should number between
$50 and 200 to be fully representative,
must travel as unit and under the
care and supervision of proper train
ers and attendants.
"When the matter was first broach ed
| in Washington every one appeared to
be impressed with the advantage and
benefit that would be gained by having
q transport placed at the disposal .;
the team. A bill amending the present
law was introduced in the Senate anC
quickly passed. Unfortunately, similar
prompt action has not been achieved
in the House, and this delay threatens
to nullify much of the advance work
Of the committee in preparing to main
tan the American athletic prestige
gained in previous Olympic games
Peter Trivoulidas, winner of the
Boston A. A. marathon, plans to leave
this country for the Olympic games or
Peter Hegelman, the Millrose A. A
coach, who will prepare the Greek for
the long event. Trivoulidas, not being
an American citizen, will represent
Greece in the Olympic contest.
The pair intend to locate at farm
house just outside of Antwerp along
the trail over which the historic event
will be held. Trivoulidas will steal
QO!NC q 'iioiIil OiI tNe runners OIL Cno
other countries, for he will have five
weeks in which to condition himself
Greek clubs of Boston have subscribed
toward the necessary travelling ex-
penses.
Alvah Meyer, who held the local
sprinting championships at 100 and
220 yards for five consecutive years, is
daily working out at South Field in the
hope Of regaining his old form. In g
trial several days ago three watches
caught him in 10 LIS seconds for the
century route.
The New York A. C. will not con.
duct the national steeplechase cham
pionships on June as at first an
nounced. 1t is understood that the
contest Will be decided on July II at
Pershlng Field, Jersey City, in connec
ton with the national Pentathlon trv-
out
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