New-York tribune., 1906-11-19
TENNIS MEN TO MEET.
VIII Discuss Professionalism at
Waldorf-4stOria Gathering.

Professionalism and amateur status in lawn
tennis will be the chief topic of discussion and
final decision at a meeting of the executive COM
mittee of the United States National Lawn Tennis
Association. which it was said yesterday would be
held during the coming week at the Waldorf
Astoria In measure this meeting was sched-
uled, as indicated by Raymond d. Little, captain
of the International team of this year. for the
main purpose Of passing upon the rankings of
the players made by the ranking committee
A L. Hoskins chairman; r. c. Carleton and
Robert NJ Miles The controversy over the
status of Beals c. Wright and his name being
withdrawn after proposal to the English National
Association during the last week. together with
the reports in regard to Wylie c. Grants anna
teur standing. make it imperative that the posi-
ton of several of the players be passed upon at
once.
The crisis in American tennis affairs has been
brought about mainly by the failure Of the Eng
lishmen to admit Wright, despite the fact that
they were willing enough TO say favorable things
of him. A player who echoed the sentiments of
Raymond D. Little yesterday said: Il believe
that Wright is an amateur, despite the techni-
caty of his being in business with the firm of
tennis manufacturers. He would have been
saved this mortifying position in which he has
been placed had the executive committee several
years ago done its duty.
"At that time while the national championship
tournament was in progress on the courts Of the
Newport Casino, a movement was justly made
10 prevent the playing of competitor and dis
qualify him amateur because he had ac-
cepted salary from firm Of tennis ball man
ufacturers to boom their ball The player was
faced with the accusation, which he did not
deny, but in turn threatened that in the event
of the executive committee disqualifying him he
would force the disqualification of BealS c.
Wright on account Of his manufacturing con-
nections The committed rather than embroil
itself in a controversy, allowed the matter 10
drop, although at the time it is said they had
perfect case against the player.
This is not the only wherein dilatory
tactics on the part of the executive committee
has led to unpleasantneSs for players who have
been entitled to some immediate action. Their
failure to have a subcommittee see to 1t that
the turf of the Casino courts was in proper con-
dition IL should be, resulted in giving the
players bad court to decide a championship
on. Their failure to arrange for efficient lines
men has already caused some bitter disputes
a to the results in matches OF the meeting last
August"
In addition 10 the matter of clearing up the
amateur status of players. it was said that the
executive committee which is composed of w.
A. Larned. D. F. Davis, K. Collins, r. d. Little,
l.. D. Scott w J. Clother H. Ward. F. j. An
derson and A. L. Hoskins, would probably decide
upon the holding of an indoor championship
for national title for women similar to the
English championship. According TO the plans
which dvuged. II would add womens
singles and mixed doubles to the schedule of the
national indoor championship. which will be held
in the 7th Regiment ArmOry. beginning the
middle of next February.