The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-01-28

Professional billiards in this country
has taken slump during the last few
years owing to some Of our best ex-
perts being induced to play in the
French academies. I might add that
they did not require much inducing to
demonstrate their skill to the Paris
public, as they, like men in other
walks of life, work where they receive
the most pay. I say work, because
professional billiard playing is work,
despite the fact that it Is considered
a game of pleasure.
1t is not so long ago that this coun-
try, and especially Chicago, was
crowded with first and second class
experts. We had Ives, Sutton, Cap
ron, Morninstar, Carter. Harrison,
Thatcher, Hatley, Cation, Spinks.
Gallagher, and a number of others
whose names escape my memory. OF
these Ives, Carter. Thatcher, and Har-
rison have Joined the great majority.
Sutton, Morningstar, and Capron are
in France Hatley is somewhere in the
northwest Spinks is on the coast, Gal
lagher is located in the east, and Cat
ton practically has quit the game. OF
the old-timers, that is old American
champions, Slosson is running a room
In New York and I am situated in
Chicago.
The professional end of. the game,
Is I remarked, has slumped some, but
it is hoped the coming international
championship tournament, which Is
scheduled to take place in New York
next April, will revive it as in the days
of old. In the tourney 1 refer to the
promoters anticipate at least two and
possibly three entries from France.
The two that they are most positive
of inducing to take part are Cure and
Barutel. Cure is the player 1 beat
several years ago in the most interest
ing and exciting billiard match that
ever took place in France. The French
man had me practically beaten in the
last nights game. but he missed when
he had but a few points to go, and I
beat him out.
The third French expert they hope
to see start is old man Vignaux, whose
reputation as an Al player is known
to all American admirers of the game.
Among the Americans who are ex-
pected to enter in the big event are
Sutton, Morningstar, Slosson, Hoppe
and myself
Hoppe. should he start. will be the
youngest player that ever took part in
a big championship tournament. and
his work for that reason will be
watched with interest. The youngster
undoubtedly will give q good account
Of himself, and if he does not win the
tourney he surely will finish in the
first three. I received a letter from
ex-Jockey Rigby several days before
Willie's match with Vignaux, in which
he saw the boy beat the old man two
games. Willie won the first game in
two innings, therefore averaging Is.
and ran out the second game from the
break, leaving Tignaux acting the role
Of cue rack. I hear excellent reports
from Sutton, and judging by his, con-
slant playing, his numerous triple fig
ure runs, and double averages he Will
be factor in the big international.
Cure and Barutel, the French experts,
are Keeling off big runs and averages
as frequently as is Sutton, and I will
say for France that it will be strongly
represented.
1 am under the impression that
Morningstar will be a bit outclassed
unless he has improved since last saw
him welding the cue. >Slosson, I am
informed, is working like a Trojan
conditioning himself for the tourney.
Always student" he never permits
an opportunity to knock 'em about"
slip by him. He is a hard man to beat
at any kind Of a game. This because |
of his s-ow, methodical style Of play
ing.
I guess that covers the chances of |
all the supposed entries but myself, |
and. although I will not begin work |
for the event until March, 1 hope to |
be on edge when I step up to the table |
to bank for the lead and to uphold the |
honor Of America, against the French |
at least
I sincerely hope the event will boom |
the professional billiards in this coun-
try. One does not have to look SO far /
back to remember the interest former
" manifested in the game when big /
tournaments and championship match |
games were the rage. I'll warrant |
there are hundreds OF enthusiasts who |
recall the match at Central Music hall |
Frank Ives and myself, when |
Frank entered into the last nights |
play with a winning lead, and how, |
by occurring the anchor nurse, I beat |
hinf1out. The betting and there were
thousands of dollars uagered. before /