AN OPEN LETTER TO CLARENCE JOHNSON
in which the National Chairman of the A.A.U. Weightlifting Committee is asked certain pertinent questions about the case of Bob Hoffman who is accused of rigging an A.A.U. sanctioned physique contest.
Dec. 10, 1956
Mr. Clarence Johnson, Chairman
Weightlifting Committee
A.A.U. of the United States
505 Medical Arts Building
13700 Woodward Avenue
Detroit 3, Mich.
Dear Mr. Johnson:
As reported in the October 1956 Muscle Builder Magazine, Bob Hoffman of York, Pa., who is a duly appointed and accredited A.A.U. and Olympic Committee official, stands accused of rigging an A.A.U. sanctioned physique contest to permit his personal favorite to win over the rightful victor.
Conclusive proof of this rigging as well as photostatic evidence of other violations committed by this A.A.U. official was mailed to you several months ago. Before you received this evidence, you wrote to me as follows:- "I appreciate your interest in this matter and wish to assure you that we are desirous of obtaining information on any violations or irregularities affecting our sport and that, in every case where justified, action will be taken."
However, since forwarding you the evidence on Sept. 19, 1956, I have received no further word from you. You did not reply to my letter of Sept. 19, 1956 or to my later one of Oct. 4, 1956. In each of these letters I specifically asked you to advise me of your decision.
Since you currently seem to ignore private correspondence, I am now writing to you openly. I feel that our half a million readers are entitled to know exactly what progress is being made in this case. I repeat what I have asked you in my previous letters:- "just what have you done, or what do you intend to do about the rigging by Bob Hoffman of the Virginia Beach Mr. Universe Contest, held on the dates of June 9 and 10, 1956?"
To refresh your memory, Mr. Johnson, I am not the only one to protest about the results of this contest or for the violations committed by Bob Hoffman. Here are some other typical reactions:
Buck Cowling, the promotor of the event was so disturbed by the outcome that he has gone on record as calling Hoffman a 'liar and a fraud'.
The Junior Chamber of Commerce, who sponsored the contest, has publicly requested a 'high investigation'.
William Hemby, Virginia A.A.U. registration chairman, told the press:- "I know of no reason why Mr. Hoffman should have made changes in judges in the middle of a meet. As far as I know he had nothing to do with the meet in an A.A.U. capacity."
Avery Brundage, President of the International Olympic Committee, wrote to me as follows after I advised him of what had taken place:- "I am no longer connected with the management of The Amateur Athletic Union, nor the United States Olympic Association, but if I were I would demand an investigation of the serious charges which you make."
Dan Parker, Daily Mirror columnist, examined some of the evidence you have had in your possession for more than two months, and in less than 5 minutes he clearly recognized the rigging that took place and was so annoyed by it that he devoted his July 4, 1956 Daily Mirror column to an expose of the contest.
You also have on hand a copy of a letter to me from a district chairman of the A.A.U. National Committee; who served as a judge in the contest in question, in which he goes on record as expressing dissatisfaction.
So you see, Mr. Johnson, those who have impartially examined the evidence or who have reviewed the facts with open minds, have seen fit to condemn Hoffman's acts. Your own inability to act, despite the fact that you have in your possession even MORE evidence than was available at the time the above individuals took their stands, can only lead me to wonder, if you are conducting your examination in an impartial manner?
There have been certain rumors rather widely circulated in the iron game which I have placed little faith in before. But due to your delay in taking action, or at least in delaying to inform me of any action taken by you against Hoffman up to this time, I doubt if you can blame me if I now wonder if there might be some truth to these rumors.
Since I am now making this a public issue, and since these rumors appear to be public knowledge, I am listing them here. If they are wrong, I will be glad to reprint any statements you care to give me which will disprove them, as a public service. The pages of Muscle Builder Magazine are always open to those who wish to set the record straight.
One rumor has it, Mr. Johnson, that you are merely a puppet official and that Hoffman pulls the strings while you dance to his tune. If this is true, then of course it could readily explain why you have not taken any public action against him. That is exactly what people are saying Mr. Johnson. How about letting me have an answer which I will be glad to reprint here, if you request me to.
Another rumor is that because Hoffman financially supports our weightlifting teams, you have your orders from high ranking officials of the A.A.U. preventing you from taking disciplinary action against him. Is there any truth to this rumor, Mr. Johnson? As National Weightlifting Chairman, I feel that as a public service, you should be glad to dispel such a rumor.
I do not think that you, or other A.A.U. officials should overlook the fact that the A.A.U. was originally founded to safeguard the interests of Amateur Athletes and according to its constitution, still is dedicated to that idealistic aim. You, as National Weightlifting Chairman, bear the full responsibility for taking just and speedy action against any weightlifting committeemen who violate the essentials of fair sports.
When I contacted the office of Dan Ferris, National A.A.U. Secretary-Treasurer, I was assured that you were an honorable and just official. Mr. Carl Hansen, President of the National A.A.U. wrote to me on Oct. 12, 1956:- "I have the highest regard, as you must also, for the integrity and ability of our National Weightlifting Chairman, Mr. Clarence Johnson, to handle it with justice." Mr. Hansen, was naturally referring to the Hoffman investigation.
It would be unfortunate, Mr. Johnson, if the confidence of these individuals has been misplaced. And, I doubt if you can blame me and other bodybuilders, if at the moment, due to any lack of advice from you, our confidence in you is somewhat shaken.
We can only judge you from your acts, Mr. Johnson. I believe that you have it within your power to bring great honor to the A.A.U., or else, to cast at least a segment of it into disrepute. Just what will it be, Mr. Johnson? What decision have you reached in the Hoffman rigging of an A.A.U. bodybuilding event? The weight training world is anxiously awaiting your reply.
Yours sincerely,
Barton R. Horvath
A personal note from Barton Horvath to readers: For nearly 30 years I have been active in the iron game as a bodybuilder, a competitive weightlifter, an A.A.U. official and writer. I have always been proud to be known as a citizen of the weight training world. Therefore, the stand I am now taking against Bob Hoffman and his acts at the Virginia Beach Mr. Universe Contest, is not a personal issue. Actually, the names of the individual, or individuals involved are relatively unimportant. It is the fact that irregular and dictatorial activities have been permitted inroads in our sport which causes me concern. If winners of bodybuilding events are to be selected because of WHO they know, rather than because of the excellence of their physiques, much of the healthy growth of our sport during the past years will be lost. Not just a few, but MILLIONS may suffer. No one will train with the same interest if he knows that contests are not conducted fairly. To permit certain individuals to bring about this decline, is, of course, intolerable. And, A.A.U. officials must be taught that bodybuilders will not stand for frame-ups or rigging of contests. Therefore, I now ask the many friends I have made during my years in the game, as well as all fair minded iron men, to lodge a protest and to insist that a decision be arrived at in the Bob Hoffman case. Here is how that can be done:- each one of you, right now, take the few minutes required to write a short letter, or else even a postcard will do, to A.A.U. President, Carl Hansen. The letter should be short and to the point. Merely ask: "What decision has been reached concerning Bob Hoffman and the rigging of the Mr. Universe Contest at Virginia Beach?" Sign your name and address and get the card or letter in the mail today. Send card or letter to:- Mr. Carl Hansen, National President, A.A.U. of the United States, 327 Clay Street, Oakland, Calif.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN FAIR PLAY IN THE IRON GAME, SEND OUT THAT CARD, OR LETTER TODAY!
PHOTO CAPTIONS
- BOB HOFFMAN: "He rigged an A.A.U. bodybuilding event and committed other violations."
- Bob Hoffman robbed Ray Schaefer (2nd from far right) of American Mr. Universe Title. So far he has gotten away with it. Read this important letter to Clarence Johnson, now!
- CLARENCE JOHNSON: "He has not made any public statement about Hoffman's actions."