Fifty Years of Progress 1880-1930

FIFTY YEARS OF PROGRESS professiana:I, a:s it was entirely contrary to the rules of the Association, even under special circumstances. Early in 1883, greatly to the regret of every one, Mr. Montague Shearman gave notice of his resignation at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. In this year we find the first reference to the inde– pendent control of athletics in the South of England. The Hon. Secretary gave notice of his intention to propose at the Annual Meeting that a Sub– Committee should be formed for London and the Southern District, to which matters arising in these districts should be referred for decision. At the Annual Meeting the number of Vice-Presidents was increased to five: Messrs. B. R. Wise, M. Shearman, W. Rye, C. E. Barlow and H. W. Wheeler. On the resignation of the Hon. Secretary, Mr. Charles Herbert, of the Civil Service A.A., was elected in his place. In the same year a very difficult matter was settled. Voting power was distributed, ranging from one to twelve votes. It was stated that the standing, numbers and age of the Clubs and Associations would be taken into consideration, and these very different factors must have complicated the decision considerably. It is interesting to notice that at this stage the official notices of the Association were headed: "West Wing, Somerset House, W.C.," from which we may assume that the Association did not possess an office or permanent address. To-day one doubts whether an athletic association would be allowed to use the address of a Government department for its official address. A surprising proposal was made about this time that Clubs in Wales should be allowed to include events for professionals at amateur athletic meetings. The motion was lost, although it was proposed by Mr. Charles Herbert, the members objecting to what was called " partial legislation." It was a wise decision. Associations, like individuals, often have to decide between two policies or two people. An attempt to "make the best of both worlds " is usually fatal. Other complications began to arise. Notwithstanding a petition, signed by members of the Stock Exchange-though the connection between "the House" and the fighting forces seemed a little obscure– a proposal to reinstate soldiers and sailors who had taken money prizes in their own competitions was lost. The Swimming Association of Great Britain (the forerunner ofthe A.S.A.) inquired whether teachers in elemen– tary schools, who received 2s. per head for teaching boys to swim, were professionals. The A.A.A. supported the ingenious proposal that the salaries of the teachers should be increased by an amount representing the amount previously received for teaching swimming! At this stage it was decided to print and circulate reports of the Association's meetings, though in those economical days it must have seemed an expensive pro– ceeding. The late Hon. Secretary, Mr. Montague Shearman, presided at the Annual Meeting in I 884. He was about twenty-six years of age at the 39