Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-10
III tWN INIIu' thu
Robertson dover right)
BY ALAN J. GOULD

kEM 1ORk.-A-AnOther ath-
letic argosy sets forth July III with
flags waving ard spirits high aboard
the s. s. President Roosevelt; in
many respects the most formidable
boatload Of talent America has ever
sent out in quest Of Olympic honors.
1t is also probably the best or
gained athletic expedition ever 10
leave Yankee shores. guided, as it
is, by a soldier returning TO Europe
on peaceful mission-Major General
Douglas MacArthur-and accompan-
led by such able figures in American
athletics as Murray Hubert, presi-
dent of the Amateur Athletic Union;
Gustavus II. Kirby. former head Of
the Olympic committee; Frederick W.
Ruben, secretary-treasurer Of the
outfit; and a staff Of coaches headed
by Lawson Robertson, chief Of the
track and field forces.
This years Olympic campaign is
under new leadership, for General
Macarthur has taken over the pres
idency Of the Olympic committee in
succession TO the veteran Col. Rob
ert NJ. Thompson. while Mr.. Hull
bert. head Of the A. "A. III. forces. has
4 A1htA AAE HAGGE Vi AAlG A1NE " l4AAIEl
Il. Prout. The latter died while in
the midst Of organizing the Olympic
work.
The chartered voyage Of the Pres
ident Roosevelt has contrast as well
as similarity with former Olympic
argosies. Like the trip to Stockholm
in 1912, the ship Will also serve as
living quarters for the main body of
athletes while they are in Amster-
dam for the international competi-
ton.
Unlike the voyage of 1906 70
Athens, which took a stormy three
weeks. the Roosevelt will dock at
Amsterdam. it X expected. in nine
days, 20 give the athletes time 20
shake off their sea legs. The big
competition starts July 29.
The athletes. cream Of the crop in
a dozen branches of sport and gath
cred from all over the country, have
been provided with every facility for
comfort and activity while sailing
across. They are travelling first
class; in fact they have been River
the preference over All other meri-
bers Of the party, officials and 9TH
ers, in the allotment of accomoda-
tions. Formerly the athletes have
had to take what they could get.
Our policy this time has been 70
favor the athletes in every respect, =
/ Gen. Macarthur declared in pro-
nouncing the committees policy.
They are the ones who have the
big jobs TO do and we felt that they
should have first consideration"
So it is a stylish as we'll as a
hopeful outfit that sallies forth to
meet the worlds athletic best in
everything from track. rowing, swim
ming, boxing and wrestling to weight
lifting, fencing, yachting, shooting
and gymnastics.
The biggest problem. perhaps, is "a
keep the track and field men in as
good condition as possible on the way
over so that they will not lose al
the edge of their form in the final
tryouts. II is here that Lawson Rob
ertson and his corps of aides have
their biggest job in hand but they
expect 10 keep their charges active
enough 50 that it will not take many
days. off the ship, 70 get them back
III top form.
The swimmers will have their inn
provised tank. the boxers and the
wrestlers their ring and mats. the
f~encers their strips and the GYM
nasts their ropes on which to exer-
else, but there isn't much hope for
the unners who want a two or three
mile workout. More harm than good
has come from running around the
decks and II is safe TO say the coach.
e. will take no unnecessary risks o.
injury or pulled muscles.
The trip over will furnish plent,
Of mental activity for the s~trategist.
and coaches, who will be able to mar
out their plans in the light Of per.
~formances in the tryouts. This viii
be carefully done for the final Amer.
lean entries must be radioed TO Am
sterdam the day before the Roosevelt
is scheduled to dock. There will b,
no opportunity for changes Of re
vision after the boys disembark.