New-York tribune., 1907-07-29

in the gear box and the transmission. In some
Of the light cars very simple form OF belt drive
has been employed with great satisfaction where
the horsepower is low and the speed not ex-
cessiVe These points are simply instances of
the various ways in which the cost can be kept
down"
LAWN TENNIS.
The superiority Of the English custom of pro-
lectlng their lawn tennis courts with tarpaulins
IN rainy weather and in continuing tournament
matches in rain when necessary, has appealed
TO many American experts. 1t has lead to some
discussion as TO the advisabiIty of establishing
the custom IN this country Here wet courts
invariably cause an off day In tournament
and frequently lead to much vexatious overlap
ping, with consequent defaults Of players who
mad Planned TO compete in the conflicting meet
ings. When attempts are made to use courts
Hooded by rain reversals Of form are usually in
order, and because of this many of the top class
men hold up tournament rather than go Oh a
wet playing surface. Abroad this state of af-
fairs does not obtain IN tournaments. In case
or downpour the courts are covered until the
shower passes when play is resumed FIRE.
quently when matches well advanced the
referee orders the competitors to continue which
they co despite the drenching they receive.
This sort Of ruling has accustomed the English
to the changed conditions of playing under such
aggravating conditions Only last year in the
international matches Holcombe Ward played
H L. Doherty IN the Davis cup challenge singles
capped thereby. In the final round Of the first
tournament which she played IN this season
abroad Miss Sutton was defeated by Mrs Sterry
during a drizzling rain at Surbiton It was ad-
mltted by all Of the English experts that the
rain materially helped Mrs. Sterry 10 win and
bring about the only defeat that the American
girl experienced. Both Beals c. Wright and
Karl II. Behr, Of the American international
team, suffered during their recent matches in
England because of their lack Of experience in
playing n fha raia "a
only at Newport during the national champion
snip that the tarpauln is made use Of in this
country, and then only upon the main or cham
plonship court, Among those who favor hold
Ing TO the old practices il is contended that
American rackets do not stand the wetting so
well as do those Of English manufacture and
that the felt cover Of the English ball does not
soak UP the water in the spongelike way that
balls DO here. It is the general opinion, how
ever, that some halfway measures should be
adopted so that American lawn tennis players
could acquire experience in playing on wet
courts and during the rain when necessary.
YACHTING.
To those who in the early part Of the season
predicted that because Of the uncertain local
financial situation there would be no interest
IN the sport Of yachting, the result of the
Larchmont Yacht Clubs race week" Just con-
cluded, should be convincing proof enough that
they were wrong. Aside from the fact that 4S2
yachts OF all sizes and types started in the five
days Of racing. showing the unprecedented
average Of ninety-six starters each day. the
promptness with which the 800 men manning
these yachts brought them to the starting
point each day, many of them coming from
distant clubs, shows an enthusiasm that only a
genuine love for the sport can create. It IS
estimated that at least 1000 Of these men are
Observation-Disclosures men, who give up time and
money TO meet their class opponents every race
day The light winds encountered in the first
three races were more than compensated for by
the stiff breezes Of Friday and Saturday, that
sent the peerless Queen and other racing craft
travelling over the courses at record breaking
speed. Indeed the results show that there was
too much wind Saturday to obtain the best
results. and II might be good Judgment on the
part of the regatta committee TO decline to take
the time Of some OF the very small class boats
when the enthusiasm Of the owner overrules his
judgment This would be step for their own
protection, for matter how sdlful sailors
they may be, the loss Of the sloops Mist and
Nora, which sunk Saturday, leaving their
crews foundering in rough water until picked
up, IS proof enough that racing these and
smaller craft IN half a gale IS dangerous and
unnecessary.