19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

BOLD RESPONSE
Sirs:
Attorney General Robert Kennedy's article (A Bold Proposal for American Sport, July 27) shows that he welcomes a fight where the odds may be against him.

This is no surprise. As a 165-pound end on the Harvard varsity, Bob Kennedy enjoyed physical impact. He will get plenty of impact from this article, as those who assume squatters' rights over our track and field athletes will form heavy interference against his program.

Before we program for the future we should salute the Attorney General for his great efforts in behalf of our 1964 Olympic team. It was he who understood that the NCAA-AAU impasse, unless resolved, would greatly dilute the best American track and field effort in this year's Olympics. He understood the seriousness of this jurisdictional fight and prevailed on the late President to take action. It took a man of no lesser stature than General Douglas MacArthur to bring together the NCAA and the AAU in a temporary truce.

Robert Kennedy is well aware that after the 1964 Olympics there will be open season for control of amateur sports, and his challenging and thoughtful SPORTS ILLUSTRATED article anticipates this inevitable fight for control.
EARL (RED) BLAIK
New York City

Sirs:
If Attorney General Kennedy spent more time worrying about the Communists and less about the Olympics our nation would be better off.
WILLIAM B. POWER
Palos Verdes Peninsula, Calif.

Sirs:
Bobby Kennedy appears no better qualified in the category of athletics than he is as an Attorney General. This is just another idea to have big government in Washington move into a phase of American life.
DON HASKIN
Lansing, Mich.

Sirs:
Attorney General Robert Kennedy points out the need for better organization, not only for general physical fitness, but for that pinnacle of excellence in opportunity in all fields of sports.

After observing the U.S. vs. U.S.S.R. track meet, I would say that the American system of free enterprise and free participation in sport is doing all right! The thing we should not lose sight of is that even though we are pretty good we could do better.
W. J. BOWERMAN
Eugene, Ore.

Sirs:
For years I have been toying with the idea of sounding off on this problem, but was afraid that as one who was brought up behind the Iron Curtain, I was placing too much emphasis on the importance of our showing in the Olympic Games. Mr. Kennedy's proposal expresses my exact sentiments, and I hope the people of my adopted country will listen and support him in this undertaking. As for myself, I would do anything if I could be of any assistance.

I would like to suggest two ways to raise the necessary money. 1) We should add a 10� contribution to every ticket sold to any kind of sport event in the country. The pros and their owners should only welcome this as they will benefit from the increased interest in the sports, and if the number of participants increases this should also increase their quality. 2) Labor unions and private corporations should establish teams and provide facilities, equipment and trainers. This would not only help sports but would provide their employees something with which to identify themselves.
ANDREW J. MAY
Former member of the Hungarian
National Ice Hockey Team
New Haven, Conn.