Never was there a time when the strict, amateur standing of university athletes should be more carefully guarded than at the present time, when the number of outside athletic clubs is so rapidly increasing. These clubs have a more or less close association with university athletics because so many of their members are college graduates. But it cannot be doubted that this association is not in every way to the advantage of the universities. We do not wish to imply here that there are no clubs which do not at least aim to maintain a purely amateur standing, but there can be no question that there have been within a few months so-called amateur contests which could not have been held as such without a stretch either of term or of conscience. Now when University men, even of unquestioned standing, associate themselves, by entering such contests, with men of doubtful standing, it is not strange that the purity of University athletics should sometimes be questioned. That it has been questioned through such a confusion of the methods of colleges and clubs is evident from the following extract from London Field, which gives the impressions received by a London Athletic Club member from the recent international games:

The position of the American universities in this matter [i. e., as to amateurs] is but little understood in this country. Anybody-a professional runner, oarsman or laborer-can put his name on the books of any university to attend lectures. He is then a member of the university and after a certain time can represent his college colors in any event his is selected for by the athletic trainer or committee of the college. He goes on the free training table of the college and does nothing else but train and practice athletics,- in fact becomes to all intents and purposes a professional. We have shady amateurs in England, but nothing so glaringly opposed to all principles of amateurism as the free training tables and boarding of the American clubs and colleges."

Such statements as these are too absurd to need refutation, but they show that in a time when American athletic ideals seem in danger of being lowered, the universities cannot throw the weight of their influence too strongly on the right side.