Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-19
BY ALAN GOULD,
Associated Press Sports Editor.

ut. LOUIS, Mo, November To-
George Simpson, the slim little
speed king of Ohio State, started
~ something when he leaped of the
Nicholson starting blocks at Chi
cago one afternoon last June and dashed
down the straightaway for 100 yards
in 925 seconds, thereby establishing
himself as the Easiest human"
The chief result of Simpsons record
feat has been to split the best minds
of the Amateur Athletic Union and
turn the annual convention here into
a debating society, concentrating upon
the pros and cons OF the starting blocks.
The argument has been settled by
the A. A. us Endorsement OF the foo:
blocks sin principle" while barring
their use at any A. A. u. meet until
sanction of the International Amateur
Athletic Federation.
AS a matter of fact, it took coali-
ton of delegates, led by Middle Western
advocates of the blocks, to overcome the
opposition of the "die-hards" and force
at least a favorable resolution with re-
gard to the starting devices. The pro-
block" forces came here fully equipped
to force the issue. They had the in
ventors of two devices, John Nicholson
of Notre Dame and George Bresnahan
suits Of an exhaustive QUESTIONABLE,
showing ITS out of $50 track coaches
and oficials on record in favor Of the
use of the blocks.
Question Blocks Help.
The debate revolveS principally
around the question of what, If any,
advantage the blocks give the Splinter
in recording faster time than formerly
III x,,s&l h. - &taA OlA
fashioned holes dug in the cinders.
The records committee, in accepting
Simpsons mark for listing in special
category with blocks" virtually ruled
that the mechanical device was of
assistance.
AS chairman of the record committee
Lawson Robertson, Pennsylvania and
Olympic head coach and himself an
authority on sprinting, declared the
blocks we're "a distinct advantage" but
added this advantage might not show
on the watch. In his opinion, the blocks
enable the Splinter to get away with a
longer stride.
Advocates of the blocks, on the other
hand, contend they are merely a
practical improvement, designed To
standardiZe starting, speed up meets
and do away with the track hazards
due to digging holes. The question
na1re showed 1l5 out OF l0O experts
holding the blocks to be no advantage
in making faster time.
GustavuS T. Kirby of New York,
veteran adviser of the intercollegiate
A. A. A. A., In leading the "anti-block"
element of the convention, asserted
the devices create false conditions"
He emphasized that there is yet no
uniformity of construction and that
hand as well as foot blocks enter into
the situation. Hand blocks have been
developed by "Dink" Templeton, STAN
ford track coach, but not so far used
as widely as the foot blocks.
TOlan May Get Mark.
While all the oratory was going on
1T was expected that Eddie Tolan, Mich
igan Negro Splinter and national cham
Ipion, may beat George Simpson to the
distinction of being the FIRST sprinter
Ito ofHicially wipe The long-standing
iworld record Of 9 3-5 seconds from the
international books. Tola11 was beaten
by Simpson in the latter's famous
"nine-two," but the Negro, without
blocks, stepped off the 100" at Evans
ton last May IS in 95-10.
This mark was approved uncondi-
tionally and. since the I. A. A. F. has