The New York herald., 1921-11-26


Olympic controlling body on a basis
more representative in character and
wider in scope than ever before, and
under a comprehensive constitution
that defines the relative powers Of the
different organizations governing anna
teur sport in all its phases. was ef-
Tected yesterday at an all day meeting
of the delegates of the sport controll-
ing groups at the New York Athletic
Club. 1t is to be known henceforth as
the American Olympic Association and
is TO replace the American Olympic
committee which has held sway In the
past. Every sport included In the
Olympic games programme was repre-
sented at the session.
II was not however without a long
and ct times heated discussion that the
organization became a fact. For more
than five hours the supporters OF a
national amateur athletic federation
suggested recently by Secretary Weeks
OF the Army attempted to sway the
gathering toward its acceptance. II
such an athletic federation were found
desirable, they SAID, IL would embrace all
Olympic powers and would render sep
arate Olympic organization unnecessary.
The federation question therefore had to
be taken up in detail.
Major Palmer L. Pierce Of the Ma
tlonal Collegiate Association, Col Wait
Q. johnson OF the Army and DR.. John
Brown, Jr., of the Y. NJ. c. A. led the
forces that proposed the organization of
the national federation the Secretary OF
War had outlined. On the other side
of the question Murray Hubert. the
President-elect Of the New York city
Board OF Aldermen and long connected
with the government of amateur ath-
letics; Col A. C. Mills OF the New York
Athletic Club, William c. Prout. presi-
Gent of the Amateur Athletic Union. and
other A. A u officials provided the ar
guinents in favor Of proceeding with the
plan for an Olympic organization
Vote Is 81 10 20.
Throughout the discussion the presen-
tation by both sides was very earnest
end at times eloquent Toward the end
the opponents of the national federation
plan appeared to be gaining ground, and
so It proved when the vote, finally taken.
showed So in favor of the Olympic or
ganization and 20 against. Then the
delegates proceeded with the work OF
discussing, accepting or amending the
articles Of the constitution that had been
drawn up for the Olympic Association.
II must not be inferred. however. that
the suggestion Of the Secretary OF War
has been tabled for all time. On the
contrary, the executive committee Of the
Olympic Association at its first meeting
Il to take up the consideration OF the
plan and report on its good and Its un-
acceptable features and decide whether
the idea cannot be carried out with
certain important changes. There were
quite u few delegates representing lead
Ing sports who favored some sort of
rational organization and the suggestion
Is bound to come Ut again.
What defeated the federation plan was
the fact that many OF the important
clauses OF its constitution as drawn up
lent themselves TO different interpreta-
tions. One side was emphatic that the
federation meant simply federation Of
cooperation the other side Interpreting
the clauses to mean that II was to be a
Federation of control that would usurp
the authority Of the national bodies now
at the head OF the various amateur
sports and ATTEMPT to dictate Its rules
and its administration. The longer the
argument went the longer was each side
OF the matter. II was this fear that the
organizations that had spent years to
shape the rules and the policies of their
particular sports would have to re.in-
cuish their power that turned the vote
IN favor or o separate Olympic organiza-
ton.
To Function Permanently.
one OF the arguments presented by the
- .Igrso sz1r
was that the Olympic body was one that
functioned only once every four years
and that there was need OF a more active
gnd more permanent association. In re-
buttoi II was stated that the proposed
new Olympic association would function
whenever necessary from now on and
that every sport would have representa-
ton on the various committees that
would have constant supervision OF
Olympic preparation.
In the main, the constitution IA tenta-
tively drawn up for the American Olyrn-
pic Association was adopted by the dele
gates present The articles that de-
veloped most discussion were those that
concerned membership and voting power
The general principle was followed that
associations OF a national character be
given three votes each, that sectional
associations be given one vote each and
tnat associations OF O purely local char
scter be left out Of the voting privilege.
There were. however, certain organiza-
lions like the Y NJ. G. A., the Jewish
Welfare Board. tho knights OF Columbus
ond the Boy Scouts Of America which
while national In character aid not con-
iiae their activities to sport, by any
means. and II was felt that they did not
come under the three votes provision.
After long debate II was decided to
grant them two votes each.
The following organizations were
Finally included I'm the three votes divi-
sion: United States Army. United
states Navy. the American representa-
tiyes on the international Olympic Conn
Inittee. the Intercollegiate A. A. A., the
National Collegiate Athletic Association.
the Amateur Feucers League Of Amer.
lea. the American Trap Shooting Asso-
citation. the international Skating Union
of America the National Association OF
Amateur Oarsmen, the United states
Amateur Hockey Association, the Ma
bonal Cycling Association. the National
Rifle Association. the United statas
Football Association, the United states
Golf Association, the United States
Lawn Tennis Association and the United
States Revolver Association
=. a. u. Leads I'm Represen tion.
The Amateur Athletic Union of the
United States was allowed three votes
for each sport on the Olympic pro-
Ia