The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-28
BISHOP LOST
TENNIS GAMES
TO PRESIDENT
Two Lively Hours Spent
on Courts, With Briton
Losing Rubber.
Singles Would Have Re-
suited in Visitor Win
ming, Think Spectators.

Contrary 20 interesting reports that
Tire bishop Of London vanquished Presi-
0ent Roosevelt IN a game Of tennis on
the White House courts yesterday. II
has become known that the President
was the victor and the Bishop Of Lon
don a very cheerful loser.
Mr. Roosevelt took the game right
away frcm the bishop and throughout
each set had his opponent completely
puzzled. Ii is conceded that II t'a
President and Bishop Ingram had play
ed singles tho latter might today be on
record as having beaten the President
at his favorite game. The bishop
played with Secretary Garfield, who is
an expert tenris player, but who was
not in his usual form yesterday. As
sistant Attorney General Afford Cooley
played with the President
President Sought Match.
The lone spectator, and perhaps the
-efe-ee Of the match was silas McBee.
editor OF the Churchman. The bishop
has been Mr. McBee's guest on Long
Island. Both men came 70 Washington
yesterday and were received at the
White House, where they are staying.
Nothing would do the President but
that the bishop should put on his tennis
clothes and engage in a match S,th him
and two Of the members Of the Admin
istration.
The bishop was like war horse scent
ing the fray. He readily agreed 10 tiie
Presidents proposition. hastened to
change his clothes, and promptly at 4
O'Clock appeared in the Executive office
arrayed in light flannel trousers. a soft
shirt with turn-down collar, and a neck
tie OF dark brown. He wore dark brown
tennis shoes. Looking him over. ii was
apparent to the President that he was
about 20 meet a foeman worthy Of his
GARFIELD and Cooley soon arrived, and
then the party adjourned 10 the court
Just In the rear OF the Executive ofrice-
Clean white balls were produced. the
racquet was tossed up for position. and
then Garfield and the bishop took the
court they were 70 defend, and the
President and Cooley assumed positions
opposite them
Bishop Swift Player.
The play was fast and furious. The
bishop is as light on his feet IS young
boy OF nineteen He is as straight as
n pine In spite Of his ffty-odd years,
and has a curious way Of jerking up
his sleeves just before the ball enters
into play. He grips his racquet near the
top OF the handle instead Of at tn, base
as does the Pregidentd and strikes the
ball with an underhand downward cut
which causes it to curve toward the
left, and then, striking the ground, to
rebound to the right II is "A very de-
ceiviEg stroke, but sc was not long be-
fore the President mastered Il. and he
sent the ball back sometimes with the
same rapidity with which it had been
delivered. and sometimes slowly, caus-
ing the bishop or Secretary, Ci6 field to
run to the back OF court or To net in
q mad endeavor to return the ball.
The couples were evenly matched
Ihere are six games in each set First
one game would be won by the bishop
and GARFIELD and the next by -he pres
idcnt and Cooley. On tile b!shop's
serves; ne usually won DR. Ingram
came here with the reputation of being
able to place the ball wherever he de-
Slreo. He showed this afternoon that
DIS reputation was justified Sometimes
ne played close to TIE net, striking the
halls before they touched the ground
but ne showed particularly IN a back
oI-the-court game There was 10 o11es-
ton that had Garfield been in his usual
1roTm rOIII tne laurels Of victory would have
falien upon his and the bishops heads
and Cooley.
Games Last Two Hours.
For two hours the four distinguished
-S1 Datt4Su lOr supremacy. The great
est secrecy is thrown around the re-
suits. but there Is reason to believe
each won set and that the third and
hnsl set went TO the President and his
partner. The bishop Is very good
lose Whenever he made a bad drive.
he did not hesitate 20 anathematize
himself. He was not chary Of his praise
eltneT, Tor whenever the President or
cooley or Garfield made good play he
would call attention TO IL
Inc PRESIDENT was equally commen-
oetory. frequently uttering an excla-
naation Of enthusiasm whenever the
bshop after an exchange of vollevs
YOU'D place the ball Just out of the
reach OF his opponent. One thing the
Dlsnop did that pleased spectators who
occupied convenient windows. was TO
drioble the ball just over the net when
the president and Cooley were playing
Tar back In the court Upon the con-
clusion OF the game there was general
handshaking and laughing comments
The President and Bishop looked as
though they thoroughly enjoyed the
Two hours exercise. and neither seemed
tired. The party then adjourned to the
White House.