Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-04-26

First Vice President.
club pairs, and the third for open tours.
The hrst two series are in progress in the
parlors Of the Ebbitt House, and it is here
the greatest interest is attracted.
The Toledo cup contest is on in Williard's
Hotel.
A Scene of Lively Rivalry.
Willard Hall is again today the scene of
liveliest rivalry. The open pair contests in
which the victors qualify for the Brooklyn
cup finals, are being played in this audito-
rum, which is divided into sections. Mrs
Hawley, president of the league, took
charge of the open pair games today and
ran the contests with a generals hand.
she mad the multitude of women players
under complete control and handled the va
rlouS changes anent the completion of
deals in perfect manner
Once the morning play is started the hum
of conversation ceases and is only tempo
rariiy resumed thereafter until final ad-
JournInent early in the afternoon. When a
change of tables is ordered the ladies nat
ul'ally take advantage of the short recess to
express themselves briefly on subjects con-
nected with the game just finished or mat
tiers referring to the congress. With the
delegates the mornings are all business and
no play. One outside the circle of whist
devotees cannot fully grasp the keen ri
Valry existing between the picked teams
which have met in championship struggle
The games are entered into with an en-
thuSiasm and anxiety seldom, if ever equal
led in any class of personal contests. The
plays show careful and deep study and
thorough knowledge of the game. Each
player on the teams competing for the
Washington trophy and the Philadelphia
cup Is an expert in whist. The wit and
every higher faculty are brought to bear in
the difficult playing. No game has received
SO much attention whist, and there are
none more thoroughly ensnared in its fas-
cinations than the women. In fact, the
masculine members of the American Whist
League acknowledge that the Woman
Whist League, in its two years of existence,
is making strides that are putting the men
on their nettle.
When the ladies settle down to play they
are not disturbed. Every thought is CEN
tered in the game, the leads and discards
of their partners and the significant plays
of opponents. 1t is difficult TO follow the
run of the tide, and nothing definite is
Known until the scores are worked out in
the afternoon. While this work is in pro-
gress the delegates are sightseeing and
seeking relaxation in pleasurable exercise.
The evening sessions of the congress may
properly be termed the social features. The
minister's enjoy no entertainment more than
Indulgence in their favorite game. In the
evening the play is in mixed doubles, when
the women have men for partners. The
costumes for these sessions brilliant in
the extreme. No especial interest attaches
TO the play, and as the rivalry is not So in
tense, the games are more enjoyable. Be
fore and after play, impromptu receptions
are held, and the delegates meet in a So
cial way.
The Next Officers.
There will be a session tonight of the
committee on nominations which has in
charge the selection of officers for the next
year. OF course, the nominations are voted
upon by the congress. Whil4 not a part of
the constitutional is nevertheless an unwrit-
ten law of the league that a woman shall
hold the same Office but one year. the pres
ldent being succeeded annually by promo
ton of the first vice president. 1t is be-
Heved there will be no deviation from the
accepted rule this year. Rotation in office
Is peneVed TO be the most healthy founda-
ton OF success by the members of the
league. There are many excellent wo-
men in the ranks that mistakes in choosing
offlcers are we'll nigh impossible. The rnta-
uon plan keeps interest alive in the smaller
ofhces and prevents a dangerous stasnation
al the head Of the lima
DlHerent from other women's organiza-
lions In this respect, neither social position |
wealth nor present high rank has any con-
slderation in the election of officers in the |
Wo1nan's Whist League or in the makeup |
OF us membership. Brains, skill, executive |
abllty and enthusiasm for the game alone |
give precedence. When elections occur there |
is no frenZled voting or quibbling about the |
paiiots The right woman is quietly and |
UNANIMOUSLY put in the right place.
Among the noted arrivals today were Miss |
Bessie Allen of Milwaukee and Mr.. Mark |
Forrest of the same pace, who is the editor |
or whist Mr.. Leroy Smith, president of |
the American Whist League, is expected in |
Washington this afternoon, and Miss Kate |
Wheelock, the famous whist expert, will |
arrive tomorrow morning. Miss Wheelock |
Is admired by every member of the league |
and is deservedly popular
team of prominent players from Boston |
includes Mrs. Waldo Adams, Mrs. NJ H. |
Richardson, Mrs. E. H. Andrews and Mrs |
]. B. Brandt. In fact, each delegate to the |
congress is a player of more or less prom |
inence and distinguished ability. 1t would /
be a hopeless task to begin to proclaim the |
merits or chronicle the brilliant plays of |
these talented women.
Playing the Finals.
The finals of all the great contests, in
Guiding the Washington trophy, the Phila- |
delphia cup, the Toledo cup and the Brook |
lyn cup for open pairs, will be played Fri |
day morning, when the interest will be |
most intense. The result of the three days' /
play will bring together the most capable |
players and the games will be the most ex- |
citing and brilliant of the tournament |
Many pretty and valuable prizes will be |