New-York tribune., 1908-12-28
COMMENT ON SPORTS
COBTNG VAR IN GOLF.
NesCs and Vie1rs on Current Topics,
Amdteur and Professional.

The threatened rebellion OF Western golfers against
tAe United States GolS Association Is likely TO de-
.eiop into something more than G tempest in g
teapot The news. published exclusively In The
Tribune or Tuesday, that g resolution would be
offered at the annual meeting Of the Western Golf
Association TO change its name TO the American
Golf Association and eNn1inats all geographical
boundary lines indicates discrimination to take
rhe bull by the horns. It remains to be SEEN how
ever, II the insurgents strong enough to over
cou7e the opposition OF the conservative men
m the West, who are sure 10 counsel less drastic
sction than secession from the parent body have
had something to say n this column before the
subject OF the Western golfers breaking away from
the United States Golf Association because Of real
fancied grievances. The Western Golf Associa-
mon may feel that 1t Is strong enough TO assume
The roIe OF national organization, and that the
tins has come 70 break away from what
EoIfe-s 1T 70 call the sutocratic. capricous.
rndenocratic mutual edrrrstion society, but it is
lard to see It
II seems 10 that the act OF secession would be
childish 70 degree and altogether foolish and I'M
justified The CHEF plant seems TO hinge on the
failure Of the nominating committee to recognize
The demands of tie West for the presidency. and
this IN Itself Is hardly ground for rebellion The
executive committee OF the United States Golf As
socstiou may lack the initiative that seems 10 be
SO rluch desired by some OF the moving spirits in
the West but neither is that reasonable cause
1or breaking away and setting up q govern
Tnent The Western golf house Is almost to
he divided against itself and this alone is likely
70 make the plan OF setting up rival government
shorrive. Some Of the Western clubs likely TO
continue their allegiance the United States Golf
Association and IN the long the fight viii be
too cneSided 70 be worthy Of more than passing
notice II the Western golfers are satisfied that
rheir desires and wishes SHOULD be placed
above the interests Of the sport. there viii be
little for II they decide TO break the
bond There VII be for some regret, how
ever, that split should come at time when
e-ery effort should be directed toward making the
rules Of the game absolutely universal
The table Of thoroughbred running records VIII
hardly be recognized by horseInen before the Win
Ter is OUT Judging By the raid being made against
the cid marks at the Santa Anita track, at Los
Angeles. II seems an offence against the fitness
Of things that any old sort OF g selling platter
should take the place Of horses which. by their
deeds IN more ways than one. have earned = place
the affections of those who love the sport
Charles Edward 6 horse Of brilliant speed and
unquesIioned class has been deposed as the record
holder for one mile and E furlong By Vox PoDuli.
known only IN the West, ard there none too well.
Centre Shot. a three year-olt FLY unknown 10
fame takes the pIace ot Dick Weles and KianneSa-
which Jointly held the mark for mile over
circular track Wei do I remember that after
noon IN October, 1896. Belmont Park, when H.
Kuapp's Kiaulesha- & speedy, good tempered
mare and always fsvoTite Of mine, eQualled the
mark Of ~ 2-5 made by Dick WelIes two years
before. She won by q length from Eugenia Burch
sfter spirited drive. and the crowd went Wild
when the time was hung Up, for she had accom-
pIished something that such great horses as Her
mis-. Beldane and Hamburg Belle had tried for
sn5 failed There viii be personal touch for
thousands o' horsenen when Centre Shots mark
is referred 70 from time time, for Centre Shot,
zeu bred rs she IS hardly be classed as
anything better than selling platter II takes q
znee6y horse to run a nile IN 1z57 1-5. but speed
IS no indication OF class The Santa Anita track
IS the fastest In the world 70 all appearances
and r. Roseben, which is now in California, was
himself he could establish marks for every dis
-anoe from five c1rlonss to mile that would stand
for years 20 come
Although strenuous efforts viii be made 81 the
coming session OF the New Jersey Legislature 10
- amend the FreIinghuysen automobile Law as to
relieve il Of Of its drastic provisions. which
II Is said work a hardship on visiting motor
szts I an advised On good authority that IN all
probability no action viii be taken Most OF the
,Sew Jersey lawmakers seem 70 be opposed 70 tam
ue-tng with the measure, and It seems that the
most sutonobilists can expect IS en increase Of
the speed limit 70 twenty-five miles hour out
side of cities snd towns Even this may be passed
over in view Of much opposition 10 any change
IN the present statute, Those opposed to amending
ne law assert that 10 exists for reciprocal
legislation with New York State. Il is claimed
that most CT the automobiles are owned in New
York City. and there IS no reason why the bars
should be let down for the purpose Of allowing
the residents Of city u wear out the good
for il J.B r Smith, Assistant Secretary OF
state. the head Of the department Of motor vehi-
c'es thinks that ths question Of automobile legis-
lsIton in New jersey could be easily settled by
having both sides the controversy get together
snd discuss the question in friendly unbiased
zey. He is now work on his annual report.
vhich viii be presented TO the Governor about
January ! When that report IS issued some light
may be thrown On the question. which Is now
~ending different factions n the state
szid that the regulations for the conduct Of
The for the Briazclif trophy next spring have
net with the general approval OF racing men
There Is z differences Of opinion. however over the
wisdom OF the proposed elimination the clause
requiring that ten OF the type entered must
Re completed thirty days before the date OF the
race The object Of this clause originally was to
prevent ths building Of a racing machine for this
particular contest and 70 insure cars Of strictly
stock model. Il IS claimed by some that II this
provision eliminated it would still be possible
20 evsde the rule, even though the car might con
toru 70 every provision regarding wheel base
weight bore and stroke. This objection appears
be largely e Quibble. according to others as
rndsr the rule Of a maximum bore Of "a inches
snd = maximum stroke Of six inches car could
hardly be called racing machine. in the general
: soceptsnce Of the term
Ice hockey. which has been growing in popular
favor for two thres years in the unetropoli-