The Washington times., 1920-09-13

hold at ieast two decks Below the
main deck in a temperature that
was .stfning One thing we can say
the food was excellent. After -'one
or two nights in the Glory Hoi'
the athletes assembled, appointed a
committee, and directed IL to confer
with the Olympic officials and seek
to better affairs and conditions. The
confab was OF no avail. We could get
no satisfaction out OF the committee,
so We took things into our own
hands. All those that wished, dragged
their bedding to the deck and spread
II in the open, where, despite the
wind, we could at least breathe.
"wAsN'T ONLY DRAWBACK,
. "The heat was not the only draw
back about the "glory hole" but the
part where the atheItes were quar-
tered was far aft. Just forward of the
propeller and every time, during any
unpleasant weather, that the wheel
was out of the water, II shook the
ship from stem to stern and we got
more than our share.
The trip was like a nightmare. In
thirteen days we reached Antwerp.
We arrived in that port on Saturday
night at 8 o'clock. We were not al
lowed to go ashore, but were com
PEELED to remain on shipboard. The
next morning was Sunday and we
landed. AS soon as the duffle was
dumped at the schoolhouse, the
coaches ordered the track and field
men out for practice. Fancy that!
Before we could even change from
our legs to the cobblestones of Ant
werp, we were ordered out to prac-
tice.
conditions at the schoolhouse
were abominable. The place. stunk TO
the skies"
&" GIEBEL TAKES UP YARN,
Here Leo Giebel again took up the
yarn. Giebel was not compelled to
practice during the same hours that
the track men were and so had
better chance to observe conditions
"The schoolhouse," Giebel said,
twas another, evidence of, the, way in
which the Olympic committee de-
ceived us. 1t was filthy. The sani-
tary conditions were absolutely in
describable. The only place we had
to wash was a cold shower or else in
a basin no larger than a tea cup,
placed on table.
EEs.Dan Ahearn, who had a little
more money than the rest of us, went
to one of the Antwerp hotels and put
the unspeakable conditions. For. that
move the committee announced that
Ahearn was bounced from the team
and must take the next boat back to
America
THAT straw broke the cameps
back. We held big mass meeting
in the court yard Of the schoolhouse.
Norman Ross presented the athletes
side of the case. Then Mr.. Kirby
started to speak. Contrary to press
reports which were sent home, we
did not boo him or stop him from
speaking, but listened in absolute
silence.
HAD OPPOSITE EFFECT.
'"Then Justice Weeks arose. In a
very ponderous' manner he asked us
what the team would do IL the COM
mittee went. on a, strike and left us.
At that suggestion the air was filled
with hats and cheers. The suggestion
had just the opposite on us that the
justice figured it would have and he
was, somewhat taken back by the
frank manner in which we showed
our feelings" ,
Matt McGrath, the New York A. c.
shot putter. who was one of the first
American athletes injured in Antwerp
and thus put out of running, was
rather reluctant to say anything
about the expedition. When asked
about his being injured, he exclaimed:
"Well, / will say this NV injury