Evening star., 1941-11-17
Election Scrap
Rocks A. 4. j.
Convention
New York Delegation
Fights Caucus Pick
For Presidency
BY SID FEEDER,
Associated Press 6ports Writer

hoSONihVCo ffS~s 0bSaNs
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 17.-After
two days OF beer and skittles, during
which the convention program sailed
along as merrily as you please, the
Amateur Athletic Union split wide
open today on the candidacy OF
Lawrence Di Benedetto for his sec
ond full term as president.
The New Orleans prexy WAS the
choice of the convention caucus TO
succeed himself and beating a cau-
Gus candidate in the past has been
about as rare as buying q drink in
this city on Sunday, yet the Metro
politan New York DISTRICT Associa-
ton Of the A. A. U. opposed the
choice so strongly 1t was prepared
to nominate James M. Roche, New
Haven Comm insurance man, for
the job when the 400 delegates got
together to elect officers ut the ANAL
business meeting.
Row Starts At Banquet.
This row busted out during the
annual convention banquet, after
the conclave had gone through a
long session disposing Of such busi-
ness as naming sites for next years
various national championship COM
petitions-Dallas got the track and
field plum-and approving more
than $50 records for running, Jump
ing. throwing, swimming and an
assortment Of other sports all the
way to pitching horseshoes.
Although no one wanted to be
quoted about the election business.
it was learned the breakup was
caused over control Of the A. A. U.
and for that reason the New Yorkers
objection to reelection of the South
erner who took Office to fill the un-
expired term of a president who died,
and was elected for full year in
1910.
Precedent alone was against the
Metropolitan District Associa ton Tin
the fight, despite its admitted
strength. 1t has been years since
the choice of a nominating caucus
has been disputed. and, what's more.
never In A. A. U. history has a
caucus candidate been beaten in a
battle on the convention floor.
Effect ON Others Unknown.
| 1t was not known whether the
row also would extend to the rest
! OF the caucus slate. which included
Fred Steers, Chicago lawyer, for
first vice president: Roscoe CTorchyl
| Torrance, Seattle baseball executive
for second vice president; DR.. w. H
Parker of Richmond, Va, for third
and Henry H. Colt Of Buffalo for
| fourth.
Among other things the conven-
ton did in its lengthy Sunday party
was to turn down a proposed con-
stitutional amendment to liberalize
| the laws on retention Of amateur
status by an athlete in United States
military service during "a national
emergency" The delegates explained
that this same liberalization already
Is contained in rules now current.
The track and field championships
were sent South for the first time
since 1910. They almost went to
New Orleans some 10 years ago, but
were shifted to Lincoln, Nebr., when
the Southern city said it couldn't
hold them If Negro athletes were
permitted to compete.
The Variety Club of Texas guar
anteed the A. A. U. So, 900 to defrav
the expenses Of competing athletes
next year. and Dallas got the call
over Chicago and Philadelphia after
Delegates P. C. Cobb and J.. C.
Massenberg said fatty there would
be no objection to any eligible
athlete.
In addition to selection Of Dallas.
such other title meets were awarded
as mems basket ball to Denver, mems
swimming to Yale and women's tr5ik
to Ocean City, N. j.