New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-20
COMMENT ON SPORTS
LAWN TENNIS VICTORY.
Nezcs and Vices on Current Topics,
amateur and Professional.

The sweeping and decisive victory Of the Ameri-
can lawn tennis players in the preliminary matches
for the Davis Cup the invading team from
England in Philadelphia last week was satisfy
ing 10 say the least, although IL may not be much
boast of. inasmueh the visitors did not repre-
sent the fun strength of England on the courts
Billy I.arned the national champion and W j.
Ciothier as well as Hackett and Little, who played
IN the doubles acquitted themselves in q way 10
uphold, extent least, the prestige OF
American lawn tennis. Unfortunately, the same
tean-not Of its members, in fact-accor1ng TO
the present outlook. will not TO Australia, now
that il has the right 10 challenge the present
holders for the coveted trophy. II was glorious
victory, but, like little Peterkin, one cannot help
but wonder what good come OF II al FROM
what learn the selection committee OF the
United States Lawn Tennis Association tie lot OF
which is a happy one under any conditions was
quite within its rights in naming one team TO play
against England in the preliminary ties and an
other go Australia TO bring the cup nome II
possible But II strikes me, as said before in this
column, that II not an altogether wise OF an
entirely fair thing 10 do more particularly as the
gate" appears 10 have been the chief consideration
In CHANGING through The Throne and Country
English publication, few days ago, read the
following extract;
While there is no doubt that the Lawn Tennis
AssociauoB made the best OF such material as Al
IL adds the credit English lawn tennis 10 en-
ter for the Davis Cup when for various reasons il
is impossible To pick a team even approximately
representative of The full lawn tennis strength OF
England English lawn tennis al the moment has
rather fallen away from ts high estate; GeEerthe-
JUS SSlie3 ioT AieIlcs-J- = FaIAe y; + 4
imagination be regarded as England's best team
Whereas the fun streGgth Of England was not
represented Philadelphia last week, It is quite
probable that the team might have been stronger
and consequently better qualified 70 fight out The
issue with Australia than the team which will
represent this country. Maurice Mclaughlin
is a brilliant young player as was proved in the
national championship tournament at Newport, ana
again in some practice matches which he played
against the Englishmen Philadelphia, and Il is
than likely that he could have held his own
in the Davis Cup matches. il is reasonable TO be
lieve also that ne will make excellent showing
in Australia. ] he and Melville Long. who by the
way beaten by Johnson in the final round in
the intercollegiate championship, go in quest Of the
Davis Cup, planned. Long is a strong and
promising player but both men lack experience
and il would have been the part Of wisdom, in my
opinion. If they had been selected 10 represent this
country in the preliminary ties, only for the
parpose OF gaining much needed experience and OF
being put the test in international match
but for the purpose Of establishing if possible the
fact that the which viii represent the United
States in Australia stronger than the best
England can put the field If that fact had been
established there would be far reason TO
jOce the victory last week. and far more
thusiasm in the effort to bring the cup back from
the other side Of the world. If not then il would
have been consong TO know that the English
had better chance than bring
the trophy back 10 within striking distance Of this
country.
As TO the question of fairness followers of the
sport bound 10 disagree. being quite will
ing TO contend that the selection committee was
justified in its action and that the English
not only willing. but anxious, meet
strongest players. BE that as it may the unusual,
if not altogether novel. procedure is offence
against the ethics sport and establishes prece-
is rfT1 he
line of athletics in time come. OF course the
circumstances are unusual, hut that seems small
reason why the committee should go 10 extremes
and take advantage of agreement under
standing that is so far beyond the scope OF the
original deed OF gift. ] told that Dr. James
Dwight. president Of the Uuited States Lawn Ten
mis- Association. opposed TO the course pursued,
but that he Overruled by the other members
of the committee. A final protest this time may
seem uncalled for, fnasmuch the deed is done,
but ! am vocing the opinion Of many good sports
men, well my own, in the hope that the mis-
intake viii not be repeated.
W The racing at Gravesend last week left little
room for criticism. It was well conducted. the
horses ran TO form, the programmes arranged
by Fred Rehberger were Of a kind please.
sidering the material 10 draw on. and while there
was some rough riding there little foul
riding for which the jockeys could be held respon-
sible. The wholesale arrests Friday caused
some uneasness il thought and believed
by those who working hard build up the
sport more that the law as interpreted by the
courts being observed 10 the letter and that
objection could be raised by the authorities 10
the methed Of oral betting, which the courts have
said is not a violation of the new statute. This
latest move however, may be a blessing in dis
fuise. as when the cases are heard the rights Of
those who to make wager at the track may
be cleared up for all time.
Chief interest in the racing this week centres in
the probable meeting Of James r. Keene's Mask
ette the winner OF the Futurity a year ago and
unbeaten this season, and s. c. Hidreth's Fitz
Herbert. the winner OF the Suburban Handicap
and Lawrence Realization Stakes. and also unbeat-
en- since the season opened here, on May b. Mr.
Keene Affection to do battle with Fitz
Herbert in the First Special in spite Of the fact
that Maskette eligible, but il is just possible
that Jimmy Rowe wanted a little time with
AIaskette. and that Mr. Keene win dodge a
meeting with the good Ethelbert In the ORR
entail Handicap, al one and three-siXteenth miles
Saturday Personally have leaning 10 F'itz
Herbert but Maskette is a worthy rival and quite
capable Of giving him the Of his life
Emilio I1nghi, the Italian runner has estab-
lshed himself Of the greatest athletes of this
or any other day. He set the seal his greatness
in Canada last week when he broke Charlie Kill
patrick's record for half a mile of minute - 3-5
seconds. made some fourteen years ago. by run
ming the distance in minute 80 40 seconds a mark
that is quite likely stand for years to come.
less he himself betters II. I knew Fitzpatrick AT
Union College before ne went TO Princeton, and
have always believed thai he reached the fun
liuit % his speed. in spite OF fact that ne set
a record that has stood the for so long.
have never Lunghi rum bat those who have
ten me that his style and action closely resembles
that of Kilpatrick and that means getting over
she ground with the least friction for greatest
amount OF effort.
The long SIGHT for the National League pennant