The Washington herald., 1908-03-08
TENNIS CLUBS ASTIR
Outlook for Season on Local
Courts Is Bright.
TO START PLAY BY APRIL !
Work OF Putting Courts I'm COndI-
tion Already Gnder Way-May "a
Set for Middle Atlantic Tourney.
Initial Intercity Match May 23.
Dates for n VI. c. A. Matches.

Judging from the activity evineed by
local clubs. the coming tennis season will
be the most successful in the history OF
the sport in the District. The work of
getting the courts into condition for play
has already been started. and it Is ex-
pected that by April the courts will be
ready
Work on the six courts Of the Bach
eiors' Lawn Tennis Club will be started
Tomorrow, and it Is thought they viii
be IN condition to be used in two weeks.
The annual tourney for the champion
ship of the Middle Atlantic States will be
started May a on the Bachelors court.
Aside from the annual tourney. there will
be number Of matches held under the
auspices Of the new Intercity Tennis AS
sociation. which embraces Washington.
Baltimore, and Philadelphia.
This association was given permanent
form last fall at a meeting of delegates
in Baltimore. at which Fred c. Colston,
OF Baltimore. was selected president; <.
B. Dewhurst. OF Philadelphia. vice presi-
dent, and g. G. Lincoln OF Washington.
secretary and treasurer An executive
committee was chosen. consisting OF r.
W. Hills. OF Washington; j. r. Carpen-
ter, OF Philadelphia, and J. S. Ensor. OF
Baltimore.
Interc-ty Dates.
The first match Of this series will be
played in Washington on May ., with
Baltimore. and the rest Of the teGms will
meet as follows:
Philadelphia in Washington. June p:
Philadelphia In Baltimore, June I3; Wash
ington in Philadelphia. July II; Baltimore
IN Philadelphia. September s.; Washington
in Baltimore. September Z.
The annual tourney for the champion
ship Of the District will be held the latter
part Of september. and Is open only 70
players living in the District, whereas the
Middle Atlantic tourney is open TO all
comers.
In recent years Washington has been
favored with the presence Of but few
players of national reputation in the
spring tourney. Formerly such players
as Ray Little, wylle Grant, Harry Allen.
Calhoun Cragin. J. P. Paret. and E. P.
Larned contested. and It is hoped this
year that some OF them may decide to en-
ter
The intercity tourney IS new depart
ure, and the matches VIII be IN the na-
ture Of an experiment II Is a movement
that has been desired by players for some
time. II Will undoubtedly have whole
some influence in the development OF the
game. in that il viii stimulate rivalry
among the players OF the three cities and
serve TO bring them together in a social
way.
Good Prospects at N VI G a.
At the Young Mems Christian Associa-
tion the approaching season is expected
10 be even better than that OF last year.
when the game attained the highest de-
gree of popularity 1t has enjoyed since its
recognition at the association.
The r. NJ. c. A. has two sets OF courts,
six double and two single courts being
located at School and Lamont streets.
Mount Pleasant, and six double courts az
and B streets northwest.
The Mount Pleasant courts are thor
oughly equipped in every respect includ-
ing a set Of shower baths, and the down
town courts are in just as good condition.
excepting there are no showers as they
are near enough the association building
for the players 20 take their baths there
There is an executive committee for
each set Of courts. who. in conjunction
with Physical Director G Z. Beckett. ar
range for the running on OF the Journeys
The first association tourney will be
held on the down town courts. the en-
tries for which VIII close and the draw
ings be made April IS.
Entries for the handicap tourney on
the Mount Pleasant courts viii close May
Is and drawings will be made the same
day The Journeys for the championship
of the courts in doubles and singles Will
start June 10 and the winners of these
matches will meet carly in September in
a series CT matches for the championship
Of the association.
The Le Droit Tennis Club met at the
home Of Mr. a Y Leech. jr on Monday
evening for their annual election Of Off
GERS and transaction Of other business
The meeting was largely attended al
most every member of the club being
present. and was full Of cordisity and
1t was decided 10 employ a janitor. 20
construct ar additional court at Thir-
teenth and streets northwest. and to
build a new clubhouse. which Will be
equipped with shower baths and lockers
The work will imediately be commenced
and IL is expected that by April ! the
courts viii be in excellent playing condi-
ton
Vacancies in lie Droit Club.
The membership Of the club. which has
been limited TO six members per 60 ,rt,
was increased 20 seven members Der
court. which will create several vacan-
cies In the lie Droit list and these will
doubtless be sought by players who can
enjoy fast game.
The balloting for officers resulted in the
reelection Of both the president, Mr.. A.
Y. Leeeh, jr.. and the secretary and
treasurer. Mr.. II. F. Lerch, Jr., the latter
being especially commended for the pres
ent healthy condition OF the treasury OF
the club The grounds committee for
the ensuing year Is composed Of Messrs.
L. l. Doyle, Edward o. Leech and Her
man Stabler. all popular players and thor
oughIy awake 10 the welfare and IN
terests of the club.
For years IL has been the practice Of the
LIE Droits TO receive 70 membership only
the most skillful wielders of the racquet
and this rule VIII be followed during the
coming season. so that excellent exhi-
bitions of the popular game may be