Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-10
INTERNATIONAL TENNIS
FIGHT OVER SERVICE
MOTION TO CHANGE PRESENT
STYLE OF DELIVERY
Majority Of Players Favor Lifting OF
Foot, and Declare Alteration
Viii Spoil Zest of
Sport

LONDON, Nov. 9.-At the annual meet
ing of the Lawn Tennis association. which
is to be held in London next month, s.
e. Hickson, treasurer of the association
and captain of last summers British
team, is to bring forward a resolution
which, IL carried may have an important
influence on future International contests
between England and America.
Briefly Mr.. Hickson's proposal Is the
fundamental alteration of the present SER
vice law which permits player to raise
one of his feet from the ground in the
act of service. his amendment necessi-
tating the fixture of both feet on the
ground.
The treasurer's proposal is the outcome
of many instances of foot faulting de-
tected, though not always practiced, at
Wimbledon this summer.
It is understood that A. w. Gore, this
years f1nalist, who was defeated by Nor
man Brookes, lodged an informal protest
to the committee of the All-England
club, with the result that discussion
ensued and lifting the foot became sub
ject for many diverse opinions.
While there can be little doubt that
many volleyers of the hustling school do
drag the right foot over the line in the
ACT OIL S6TNlCt, OplulOu 10 QlNlQSQ do "
whether this takes place after the racquet
has hit the ball, in which case no charge
of infringement could be preferred.
At Wimbledon this year, both during
the British championships and the Davis
cup contests, competent linesmen were
delegated to watch the feet of Karl Bahr
and Beals Wright.
Americans and those who oppose Mr..
Hickson's motion say that If these two
players and others who make the habit
of running up on their service were not
penalized more often it was the fault of
these officials. The same applies to the
alleged foot faulting of Norman Brookes,
who many consider broke the letter of
the law by not having both feet behind
the base line in the act of service.
Yesterday Brookes gave private ex-
hibition of his natural service, and 1t
must be confessed that though the drag
ging of the left foot--the champion Is
left-handed-was very conspicuous, the
toe did not cross the line until the ball
had been dispatched on it's journey
toward the net.
The fact is the majority Of the leading
players are against Mr.. Hickson's pro-
posal, some even going so far as to point
out that, eminent and distinguished Of
fetal as Hickson is. he has not himself
with the many subtleties of the service
art. They contend that if enforced the
new condition would stultify the game
and rob it of much of its spectacular
brilliance.
The proposer is being called upon to
withdraw his resolution or in any case
not put it to vote until the United States
association has been officially consulted
and has given it's view on the subject.
1t is possible he may accede to the sug-
gestion, but at present the resolution
stands out conspicuously on the agenda
paper and is provoking much comment.
Among other resolutions down for dis
cussion is one proposing that the associa-
tion shall select ball for use at all the
open meetings where national champion
ship events are contested. thus invalidat-
ing the present right of the tournament
committee to make choice.
Another motion seeks to debar any
person associated in business with the.
or the rcle of lawn tennis
requisites from officiating in any man
agerial capacity at prize meetings.
After the recent controversy on the
subject of Archdale Palmer's dual posi-
tion as secretary of the All-England club
and manager of well known manufac-
turing firm, an association since severed.
1t is believed this resolution will be car
ried unanimously.