The Washington times., 1922-03-22
A. A. U.0FF|C|AL
SAYS COSTELLO
KICK IS UNJUST
Robbins Regrets Effort to
Throw Cloud Over American
Legion Track Meet.

w. c. "Yank" Robbins. 'ocal rep
resentative Of the A. A. u, today
took exception to statements by the
Costello Post Of the American lie.
gion alleging discrimination in treat.
ment of the Costello athletes at the
Johns Hopkins Fifth Regiment
games In Baltimore last month.
"The Costello athletes have re-
ceived the same fair treatment from
the South Atlantic branch OF the
Amateur Athletic Union that has
been accorded every organization
affiliated with it," said Mr.. Robbins.
AT the Baltimore games they
tried to put something over and
were barred from running in the
open relay as a team Their action
in withdrawing from the American
Legion track meet to be held in
Washington May 8 can In no wise
be linked up with the fact that they
were barred from open competition
at the Johns Hopkins-Fifth Regi-
ment games February %.
"Of the five Costello members
whose names appeared on the entry
blank for the open relay event In
which they were to compete against
Baltimore Cross Country Club and
Fifth Regiment, four were Ineligible
to run on account Of improper regis
tration.
1.-The A. A. Y. records showed that
Peake. Griffith and Burthe were
registered with the Aloysius Club Of
Washington, and Henderson with
the Washington Canoe Club. The
oh
Griffith had applied for change Of
Morrisey, the fifth member. had
rules Of the A. A. u. specifically
unattached for one year after ap-
plying for change Of registration.
1T is a distinct injustice to the
A. A. u. and to the name Of the
American Legion for Costello Post
to hide behond any real or mag
mary grievance with the A. A. u.
in announcing its withdrawal from
the approaching games to be held
at Central High School stadium
May s. This meet 10 to be ono OF
the biggest to be held in Washing
ton for many seasons. President
Harding having accepted an invi.
tation to attend.
THE meet will be a huge sue
cess, despite this complaint against
the A. A. u. and some Of the best
athletes in the South Atlantic sec
ton will be seen in action. / am
sorry Of the tactics adopted by the
Costello Post, but cannot see that
1t will materially inJure the big out
door meet, which is a benefit for
deserving service men. 1t seems to
me that il is out of keeping with
the spirit Of the American Legion
for Costello Post or any other post
to throw any cloud about the COM
ing meet or to refuse point blank
to have anything to do with It,"
The duty of every athlete and
patriot is to encourage this event.
Local legionnaires are hot after
the District service mems cham
pionship relay event, which will be
one of the features at the legion
games. Many Of the leading legion
posts Of the city will contest for
top honors, including the Quentin
Roosevelt Post, George e. Killeen
Post, Tank Corps Post, Lincoln
Post, Sergeant Jasper Post and the
Cooley-McCullough Post. Additional
posts will enter as the time draws
near.
In addition to the feature relay,
there will be several other events
for legionnaires only, including
1O0.yard dash, a 220-yard dash. 220.
yard hurdle. half-mile run and mile
run.
Many former college and local
scholastic stars are numbered among
tho members of the various posts OF
the District, and these old timers
are out training faithfully for the
affair. Gold, silver and bronze
medals will be awarded the winners.