The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-23
May BE Any Weight Up to Sixteen
and One-Half Pounds and
Loaded.
CITY IS FULL OF B0WLERS
LOUISVILLE, MILWAUKEE, AND CHI
CAGO HAVE BIG DELEGATIONS.
Tournament to Open at TOmlinsOn
Hall Tonight by Ten Teams
Rules Amended.

The executive committee Of the Ameri-
can Bowling Congress held a four hours
session at the Denison Hotel last night to
prepare the work for the congress session
to-day. The questions before the congress
were the Endorsement of a new constitu-
ton, the regulation of the loaded ball and
the regulation of the weight of the pins.
On all questions except the loaded ball
there was harmony of action. DIR. Timm.
representing the New York bowlers, dis
agreed on the amendment to the rules re-
ferring to the loaded ball. The amendment
adopted was:
''The balls shall not in any case exceed
twenty-seven inches in circumference nor
exceed sixteen and one-half pounds in
weight Any sized ball of less circumfer-
ence or weight may be used in any game"
DR.. Timm held out for requirement that
the ball should be of wood only.
The amendment adopted as to pins fixes
the minimum weight at three pounds two
ounces, requires them to be of maple and
not affected i'm weight except by ordinary
wear or tear in use. This prevents oiling
them, as has been done. No maximum of
weight was established, but sets are to be
of uniform weight.
RULE As AMENDED.
Rule As was amended so that club may
either have a regular place of meeting or
practice once every two weeks to be a men,
ber of the congress. The old rule required
clubs to practice weekly.
Rule so was amended by cutting out the
words in the definition of a bowler land
who attends the regular meetings of such
club and engages in bowling games played
by il in regular practice"
Several other minor changes were made.
When the new constitution was discussed
Treasurer Stearns, Secretary Karpf, God
fred Langhenry and DR.. Timm presented
drafts 1t was, agreed that these should
be presented at to-day's session of the con-
gress and referred to a special committee
for consideration. The Karpf plan makes
the congress composed of clubs directly
with membership fee of 81, and repre-
sentation from each club. The Stearns
plan centralizes control in an executive
committee and recognizes State .organiza-
tions. The Timm plan modifies the present
system. The Langhenry plan, which is
looked on with most favor, provides for the
organization of cities in dependent organi-
zations. The cities are entitled to repre-
sentation according to their club member
ship in a city association. 1t also provides
for control of the tournaments by an execu-
tive committee of fifteen. for the permis-
sion of tournaments and special matches
by the executive committee, for the licens-
ing of alleys and for financing the tourna-
ment by a tax on the city organizations
The Langhenry plan places the congress
along the lines or the l.. A. w. and similar
organizations.
MAY FIGHT AMENDMENT.
The members of the executive committee
present were President Bookwalter W. "
Thompson, Chicago; Secretary Karpf. Day
ton; G. M. Stearns. Des Moines; p
]. Hills, Cleveland; NJ. A. Phillips, St
| II III IA
Pasdeloup, Chicago. DR.. Timm was the
only one disagreeing with the loaded bal
rule and he will bring the subject before
the convention to-day. The rule. as in
dorsed by the committee is representative
of the consensus of opinion on the subject
and will doubtless be adopted This may
mean that the Eastern man may revolt
but their interest in the candidacy of Cleve
land is looked on to prevent this.
There is a general belief that the presi
dency of the congress will go with the
tournament. If this is followed the mex
president will be either Mayor Rose o.
Milwaukee. Mayor Granger, of Louisville
| or a Cleveland man. III there should b,
| any attempt to deviate from this the Chi
cago element will place Frank l.. Pasde
| loup before the convention and will prob
ably be strong enough to elect him. a:
| Charles II. Ebbetts, of Brooklyn, has wireC
that he will be here there is belief tina,
the Eastern ster1.,ns men will present his name
No one has appeared to relieve Samue
| Karpf of his Office as secretary. but JOSEPH
| @. Davis. of Chicago, has humorously an
nounced his candidacy for weigher OF ball.
under the new rule. In the bowling con
gress offices seek the men, There will ais,
| be an effort to prevent the filling of tn,
| executive committee with manufacturers
| agents.
Treasurer Stearns reported last night tina
| thirty-six new leagues had applied for mem
bership. This makes the total number 2o7
The committee rejected the score of l. l6
| made by Newark, N. j., team recentl,
| because IL was not made In competition
but accepted the one of 1141 made las
| Wednesday night in Chicago.