The Cordova daily times., 1923-02-07
ATHLETES WILL COMPETE LONG
 DISTANCERUN

especially in the East, are paying greater attention than ever before to the development of distance run ners in preparation for the 1924 Olympiad at Paris.
 Americas weakness in distance events, especially the marathon, has always been a handicap in interna- tional competition and problem that athletic authorities have sought con- stantly to solve. Not since 1908, in in the Olympics at London, when Johnny Hayes captured the mara than after Dorando, the Italian star, collapsed when leading near the fin ish, has the United States produced winner or landed better than third place in this classic The same lack of class in other distance events has often hampered this country's chances of team victory, despite the fact that Yankee supremacy has been established consistently in shorter races and in many field events.
 The increasing number of distance and marathon races, and the promin- ence given them in recent athletic contests, reflects a general effort to bolster Americas strength in this branch of competition. Organizations in New York and Boston have de- voted particular attention to bring ing out talent for longer events, while road races in various parts of the country have attracted large entries and stimulated a desire among runners to train for distance laurels
 Two of the most consistent dis tance stars now in competition are Willie Ritola, of the Finnish-Ameri- can A. C., New York, and R. Earl Johnson, Pittsburg negro. Ritola and Johnson competed in most of the principal distance events last fall, the Finn winning the national 1O-mile and crOss-country titles which JOhn- son held the year before. Ilmar Prim, another Finnish-American star, who captured the five-mile national championship, is in the front rank of distance cracks.
 Marathon stars capable of con- peting with European runners have been largely lacking, Clarence De Mar, who is attempting comeback after many years of competitive idle ness, and Frank Zuna, of New York are among the outstanding eligibles for this event, but there are few others of top-notch calibre. Devel- oDment of marathon material is one of the chief goals of those interested in strengthening the American ar ray of Olympic contenders for next year.
 PORTLAND, Feb. 7-Athletic meets by mail were advocated here by J. F.. Bovard, dean of physical education of the University of Oregon, at a meeting of the physical education department Of the Oregon State Teachers Association, who declared that with a standardized scoring table, permitting a definite comparison of athletic accomplishments in various institutions, many athletic events could be held without the stress and cost of travel.
 SEATTLE, Feb. 7.-RepOrts of a break in athletic relations between Stanford University and the uniVer- sity of Washington were denied here in a letter from J. P. Mitchell, Stan ford representatives in the Pacltic Coast Conference, made public here by George G. Altnow, president of the Seattle Stanford Alumni Associ- ation.
 The reports arose, MT. Altnow said from the fact that no football game between the two institutions was scheduled for next season at the re- cent conference meeting.
 Under a faculty ruling, MT. Nit chell said, the Stanford team may make only one northern trip each year. and next season it is University of Oregon's turn for game in the Northwest.
 'T see no need" Mitchell said in his letter, "to search for deep, hid- den, unworthy or unfriendly motives, which do not exist when the real reasons are quite plain and are based on friendliness to all members of the conference and to all our alumni"
 SEATTLE Feb. 7.-The action of the University of Washington board of control in declaring boxing an Of ficial intercollegiate minor sport at the University has aroused interest here in inc fistic pama While m