The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-03-04

Pittsburg, Pa, Feb. 2S.-The ninth
annual tournament of the American
bowling congress opened at the Du-
Quesne gardens, this city, last night.
Following addresses of welcome by
city officials and local bowlers, which
were responded to by out-Of-town
bowlers. sixteen games of the $4,000
to be played were rolled by western
Pennsylvania bowlers.
Elaborate decorations, brilliant il
luminations and stirring music by
numerous bands inaugurated the be-
ginning of play.
Practically all the city officials, in
Gluding Mayor Guthrie, were present
Rnd in behalf of the mayor, Director
Cf the Department of Public Safety
Lang delivered the official welcome to
the bowlers from the city of Pitts
burg Mayor-elect w. A Magee also
made an address. Responding for
the ,bowlers were August Hermann
of Cincinnati, president of the Ameri-
can bowling congress; J. e. O'Don-
nell, treasurer of the Pittsburg bowl
Ing Tournament association, and 9th
or prominent tenpin followers.
This meeting, according to SeCreta-
Ty Langtry of Milwaukee, will be one
of the greatest ever held by the
American bowling congress. There
are 2T30 entries, which is larger than
was had at any previous congress.
The prize money IS greater, too, be-
tug little ever $25 600 Representa-
tive teams from seventeen states and
from Canada, which includes ninety
Ave cities, are in attendance and in
addition all Ct the bowlers, who have
won fame throughout the United
States and Canada are here to defend
their titles.
During the meeting, which will last
until March 20, there will be three
business sessions and one continues
round of entertainment. Apparently
honey has been no object in providing
The visiting bowlers with the best that
can be obtained
The Duquesne gardens, where the
tourney will be held, was formerly
ssed as an Ice skating rink, and are
well fitted 10 the requirements of the
bowling congress. Sixteen alleys have
been built, and TO finish the $4,000
games by March 20. it is the intention
TO bowl from 8 a. N. to midnight six
days week.
During the first week of the con-
gress, boWlers from western Pennsyl-
Van!a and Ohio will hold the boards.
Three weeks will be necessary to
run OFF the present meet, which
started last night, a total of 37S five
man teams, S07 two-man teams and
1862 individuals having entered from
al over the union.
Almost without exception the ia
nous bowlers of the game have en-
tered the present meet from all
points. Among the best known are
Jimmy Smith and Johnny VOORHEES,
OF New York. Louis Franz and Char
ley Gilbert OF Cleveland, Frank Brill,
PHI Wolf, Will Flsnnsr, Jimmy
blouin OF Chicago; Louis Jesselson
ana Martin Kern of 81. Louis, Her
man Collin and Al Selbach of Co
lumbus, Bob Matak and Louis He'll
bake Of st. Paul, Bob Menninger Oh
Detroit, Mar shall Levey and Lee Graf
OF indianapolis and other stars of ma
tional Importance.
The presence of these stars will
produce lot of special money
matches that will probably rank
good second to the doings In the big
tournament Several matches have
been signed up already, one of the
best being the Cleveland Chicago
match between Frank Brill and Wolf
of Chicago and Louis Franz and Char
Icy Gilbert of Cleveland for $1,000
New York has Issued broad defiance
TO the other cities and some matches
will probably grow out of their chal.
leDge.