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Show A A U Chieftain Lists Ail-Time Greats In Trade and Field Competition By PAT ROBINSON NEW YORK, Jan. 29 (INS) If you look at the finish line of any big track and field event in this country you are almost sure to find a chubby apple-cheeked white-haired little fellow wearing wear-ing a derby hat and the most engaging smile in the world. That, of course, will be Dan Ferris, who has been Mr. A A U so long that most people believe he founded the organization. Dan smilingly denies that last crack, but does admit that he has been with the AAU tor 35 years. He was born in Pawling, N. a little village up the Hudson, went to high school there, came to the big town for a business course; and when the late James E. Sullivan, founder found-er of the AAU, wanted a fast stenographer, why he naturally took Dan. Strangely enough, Dan a 10-second 10-second man In his day did all his running after he Joined the AAU as a stenographer. Dan has seen all the great .athletes of the last 35 years In action, and so It la only natural that we should ask mm to name the best he has seen In that time. "That's a large order," said Dan, as he mulled over the entries en-tries for the MUlrose games In Madison Square Garden Saturday night. "Of course, there is no trouble In picking the greatest all-around athlete of all time in this or any other country. That Is Jim Thorpe, the Indian. He stands out with nobody a close second. "Jesse Owens was the greatest of all sprinters, with Howard Drew a close second. Forrest Smith son was the prettiest hurdler hur-dler I ever saw, although Fred Wolcott, the Texan, probably Is the fastest "Cornelius Warmerdam Is the top pole vaulter in my book; Glen Cunningham was the finest mlier and Mel Walker the best high Jumper. "I suppose I'd still have to rate Jack Torrance as the greatest shot-putter, although I have no doubt that Al Blozls of Georgetown George-town eventually will smash all known records for the event. "Greg Rice Is the finest distance dis-tance man we've developed hut despite the faster times these 1sys, I rste Mel Sheppard and Ted Meredith ahead of our present-day middle-distance men. 'They raced against the man, not against the clock, in the old days. The athletes then were Just as good as they are today. But the coaching, equipment and track conditions are better today to-day and we have far more athletes ath-letes competing, and so we have tighter competition." Dan thinks a 4-mlnute mile Is a distinct possibility and predicts that one of the current crop of mllers will do 4:06 Indoors this season. |