New-York tribune., 1921-05-02
Paddock Eager
To Show East
His Real Glass
Coast Marvel to Convince
Skeptics Records We're
Not Result of Accident

The human Man o. War Is coming
East Hurt by the skepticism with
which his marvellous performances on
the Pacific Coast were received, Char
lie Paddock. of the University Of
southern California, has decided to
make the 3,000-mile journey to con-
vince the Eastern critics that he act
uaily shattered four worlds records
and equaled two other marks at Red
land, Cal, on April 23.
A large majority Of the experts in
TINS section refuse to take the Olym-
plc. champion seriously, although there
is hardly q doubt but that he will be
officially credited with the new rec
ords. Not few insist that the timers
used alarm clocks, and when Charlie
faiied to accept the most urgent invi-
tation Of the Penn relays management
to compete at Philadelphia in the
sprint race last week his friendly
enemies were quick to criticize him.
why doesn't he come East and
show us how he did til" and ssIs Pad
dock afraid that he won't find The
Eastern tracks to his likingw are a
rev OF the remarks made by those who
follow footracing closely.
Paddock Has Own Reasons
Paddock, no doubt, had good and
sufficient reasons for not going to
Quakertown, but as he laid himself
open TO criticism because of his nom
acceptance he hastencd to correct the
false impression that he is afraid to
take chance" here, by announcing
that he will start in the Eastern inter-
collegiate championship at Cambridge
on June 27-28.
Following this meet Charlie will 90
to Chicago, where the National College
title meet will be held, and from there
he will return to California for the
championships Of America at Pasadena,
in July. Thus, 1t would appear that he
is perfectly willing to show the world,
"did it,"
It is true that in several starts in
this section of the country Charlie has
failed to show the speed he has dis
played on the Pacific Coast, indicating
that there is something to the theory
advanced by many that climatic condi-
tions affect the speed of runner.
There are many other elements that
enter into the question Of form and
certainly long journey such as Pad
dock is compelled to make in order to
race here Is not conducive to great
speed, unless the athlete has sufficient
time to rest.
Performed Before In East
In this connection 1t will be e>recalled
that Charlie stepped from the train at
Boston last July after fve-day trip
and ran within one-fifth Of second
Of the record for 220 yards. The timers
and judges at this meet-the Olympic
tryouts-were Of the opinion that had
Paddock got a better start from his
mark he would have beaten the record.
The Pacific Coast marvel has ever
been known as q notoriously slow
yards at the halfway mark. It Is
reasonable to suppose that since that
time Bob Weaver, who discovered Pad
dock and trained him, has taught his
charge the secret Of getting away from
the mark quickly. The New Haven
meet will settle the issue definitely and
the sporting world awaits this classic
Of the track with great impatience.
The Westerner will be opposed by
one Of the greatest field Of sprinters
in the country, including Woodring,
Syracuse: Farrell, Brooklyn College;
Lever, Pennsylvania, and Gourdin,
Harvard.
In statement given out last Thurs
day, Paddock announced that he would
retire after the national title meet in
July, but those who know Of the twen-
ty-two-year-old sprinter's love FOR the
cinder track believe that he will
change his mind in this respect. He
is likely to stage several farewell
tours" before his spiked shoes are
really discarded.
Frank Zuna's victory in the Boston,
marathon was easily the most impress
sive bit Of running over the long trail
recorded in this country in several
years. The big Bohemian went over
with bang and justified the belief Of
his friends, who were Of the opinion
that had he been properly handled
Zuna could, at least, have been the
first American to finish in the Olympic
marathon.
Frank owes his high place in the
world Of sport largely to Harry Coates,
his coach, but Harry was overlooked
in the selection Of Olympic team men
tors.