The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-12-09

fuses to recognize gazA8s--A- A-4-zl
Hitler Is a brutal 10. w;u;,
tyrant and the JUG ""''"'''
people he rules come close to being
barbarianS.
Thus as good will ENJOYS, as such
invading athletic delegations are
customarily known, the American
athletes are placed in a most ride
ulous and awkward position. In the
manner speaking they are to be the
guests OF a host for whom they
have publicly registered their dis
gust.
A Compromise Victory
This is a situation without paral-
lei in the history of amateur sports.
1t is the unfortunate and perhaps
inevitable result of bitter battle
to keep the athletes out of the
games entirely. 1t represents a
compromise victory for the partici-
pationists at the expense of good
taste.
Whether the ultimate conse-
quences will be disturbing depends
upon the conduct of the young men
when they take the field. In This
connection it is comforting to re-
feet the young men usually conduct
themselves with poise and dignity.
They are content to let their per-
formances speak for themselves.
Unconvinced that a boycott linn
tied to athletic relations constituted
an effective antidote for social poi
sons, / was and still am in favor of
participation. But the manner in
which the victory was won leaves
me with a minimum of enthusiasm.
I think it would have been better
to keep the athletics home alto
gether than to send them over as
avowed social enemies. 1t seems to
me the authors of the amendment
went to unnecessary lengths to TO-
ment racial bitterness.
Ants to Keep Fighting
The vote on the issue indicated
the anti-feeling was much stronger
than most observers believed. Judge
Jerimah Mahoney would seem to
have logic on his side when he says
the vote represents a mandate for
the ants to keep on fighting. This
the Judge threatens to do, though
no more parliamentary weapons are
at his disposal.
Personally, l am in hope the issue
will be allowed to simmer down to
quiet resignation. Conditions are
unpleasant enough as they are. The
final decision has been made and the
future should be devoted to as
sembling the best possible team. The
accent should be placed on athletic
ability, not on social conditions.
Any attempt to hrow obstacles in
the way of financing the team
should be condemned as unfair and
unsporting Right or wrong the de-
cision has been made. The athletes
themselves are not greatly concerned
about social conditions abroad. This
may not be f1attering to their in
telligence, but its a fact none the
less Their only interest is in max
ing the trip.
Americas High Standard
1 am sure, too, they can be count
ed on to give fine account of
themselves both as athletes and
sportSmen. They may even do a
little good in spreading the gospel
of tolerance and fair play in coun-
try that seems tragically in need of
some small enlightenment on such
matters.
AT any rate. the decision has been
made to participate and the next
step, to repeat, should be in the
direction of assembling a powerful
aggregation, task which will re-
quire the cooperation of all the
athletic bodies. This can at least be
expected of those who are interested
in maintaining Americas high
standard in Olympic competition,
Getting away from the activities
of the brass hats for a moment and
turning to the athletes themselves,
the Amateur Athletic Union has
nominated 10 candidates for the
Sullivan medal. an accolade based on
outstanding contributions to anna
teur sport over the year.
Jesse Owens Omitted
The 10 thus nominated are Percy
Beard, Jack Medica, Lawson Little,
Helen Wills Moody, Leonore Right,
Eulace Peacock, Helen Jacobs.
Keith Brown, Wilmer Allison and
Glenna Collett Ware. You will note
Jesse Owens. the Ohio State Negro,
with four world records to his cred
1t. was not named.
1t develops the Negro was elimi-
mated from consideration because
he served or was supposed to serve
as a page in the Ohio Legislature.
Since one of the points on which
the Sullivan medal is awarded is
character, the judges concluded
Owens services as a page de-
smirched his record. The broad i'm
piication is that he capitalized his
athletic reputation for money.
Apparently the A. A. u. Judges are
more fastidious about there things
than the judges who nominate
men for all-America football teams.
A number of the Ohio State var
sity men were also on the pay roll
OF the state, but the football Judges
did not hold this against them