The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-17
MANY CHANGES
 SOUGHT IN A. A. U.
Prout Will Recommend New System For
 'Olympics
fRv Associated Press.)

ATLANTIC CITY, N. J., Nov. 16.- Important changes in the organization of America's Olympic teams, based on the experience of the 1924 games at Paris, are recommended by William c. Prout, of Boston, retiring president of the Amateur Athletic union, in the re- port he will submit to the opening session of the organizations thirty sixth annual convention tomorrow. Del egates representing 19 district associa- tions of the A. A. U., in all parts of the country as well as representatives of Canada gathered tonight to whip the opening program into shape.
 Direct selection and financing by the A. A. U. of future Olympic teams in all the branches of sport over which this organization has juricdiction, prin- cipal among which are track, swimming, boxing and wrestling, is the outstanding proposal in President Prout's report, in which he points out that from our experience this year, it would seem that it is almost impossible to have teams representing every branch of sport make the journey as a unit and have each team properly handled and provided I for"
 Divided Control
 1 To a large extent, various sports governing bodies such as the A. A. U., have had such control of their own in- EtePests in the Olympic scheme of af- fairs, subject however, to the final ap- proval of the general Olympic commis- sion.
 As was done this year, it has been the practice to mobilize the various teams and send them abroad as a unit, | hut n1 of assistants feel that, in the light of ex- perience, this plan should be altered. They point out that because of the varying conditions governing different sports and the fact that the Olympic program is scattered over long period, they believe it impractical to combine all operations under one invasion. | Advise Early Plans | Mir. Prout further recommends that competent Olympic coaches and man. agers be selected at least two years be- fore the. quadrennial games to insure proper preliminary arrangements and a more definite preparatory program. His report also dwells on the weakness of America's track forces in distance run ming, as was shown at Paris by com parison with the Films, and urges that this feature of competition be stimulat- ed here. Although the presidents re- port does not mention his name, Willie Ritola, crack distance runner who left the United States to race for Finland at Paris, is singled out by inference as an example of need for linking patriotism with our athletic interests Referring to instances of athletes re turning to their own lands, afer gain ing athletic education here, the re- port, pointing undoubtedly to Ritola says:
 ''This is particularly true of the ont athlete who lived in this country more than nine years, had profited by tho lessons he learned while in competition here, was eligible for American citizen ship but refused to represent the Unit ed States and returned to his native country, which he represented with great success. do not think we should be narrow in carrying out our activ ities but I think it might be well tt take steps to put into actual practice the ideas we have had that participation in sports develops and maintains pa triotic devotion to this land of Ours.'
 Should Change Rules | Further reaction from this year, Olympics is in recommendations by va | rI0uS committees, TOT changes govern ing the rules and conduct of swimming boxing and wrestling competition Awarding of 1925 championship meet and consideration of 108 American swimming and track and field records made within the past year, are othe items on the convention calendar whicl received commitete study tonight.
 It seemed likely that the senior out door track and field championships the biggest title plum would be awarde, to San Francisco, although bids als have been made by Chicago and Pasa dena, Cal, where the games were hell in 1921, the last time they went t the Pacific coast.
 Boston Gets Tourney The national boxing championship are expected to go to Boston again although New York has entered bi for them.
 The wrestling title meet is sought b. the Oregon agriculture college, Okla homa A. and M., College of New York where they were held this year. Murray Hubert, first vice presiden of the A. A. U., and president of tn New York board of aldermen, is slate, to succeed Mir. Prout as the new presi dent.
 REALTY MAN HERE