Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-04
LITTLE CHANCE OF
BIG WAR IN GOLF

NEW YORK, January 4.-NOtwithstand-
ing all the recent talk of fight in the ma
tional golf ranks it is doubtful if any i'm
mediate action is taken next Friday night
at the annual gathering of the United
States Association. to be held in this city.
The source of the attacks greatly lessons
their force. Two Chicagoans have for
years been attempting to stir up strife
mainly to further their own ends. One of
these men always refers to the national
body as an ''oligarchy.''
1t is entirely true that the nominating
committees have served to continue some
men in office longer than would otherwise
have been possible and that it would be a
good thing If the distinction between al
led and associate members could be abol-
iShed, but there are practical difficulties
in the way of naming national officers in
the open. and so long as the three or four
big eastern sections are content, protests
of the ever-restlesS Windy city crowd are
not likely to strike deep.
There has been some talk of the west
and south joining forces Ito oppose the
north and east but that also is doubtful
Chicago aided Washington in securing the
women'S national championships, and then
every one of the fair players from the
occident remained at home. More south
ernerS than ever before entered, last fall
in the mems national championship at
Garden City which does not foreshadow
disaffection in Dixie. A Westinghouse
stands sponsor for two important amend
ments to be proposed at next weeks meet
ing, but there Is nothing to indicate that
he is working in connection with the Chi
cagO crowd.
The Western Association, while praise
worthily democratic, has had one or two
rumpuses within its own ranks, and even
had its sailing always been plain it is hard
to see the ghost of show for a real rival
to the National Association.
The westerners will hold their annual
meeting Saturday, the 10th, just eight
days after the national gathering and so
will be in excellent shape to take advan-
tage of any mistakes that the larger and
older body may make. Great stress will
be laid upon the open dinner for golfers
at Chicago. which is in strong contrast to
the exclusive "hambite'' of the national
officials.
Although the amateur championship
should by rights go to Boston't this year,
the Hub clubs are still attempting to
dodge it. The Deal Club. one of last
years applicants. would like it, but it
would be unprecedented for the metropoli-
tan district to secure the award two years
in succession. especially with two such
tried and true western organizations as
the Chicago and OnWentsa clubs sparring
for it. The Englewood. N. j.. club has
much the best show for the open cham
pionship. In al probability the women S
championship date will not be closed for
some time to come unless one of the Phil
adelphia clubs puts in a bid for it at this
weeks meeting, as there is general feel
ing that Lakewood, the only club that has
spoken to date, is not the best choice that
could be made.
Much comment is being made over the
fact that the Montclair Club was not rep
resented at the recent annual meeting of
the Metropolitan Association. 1t is the
home organizations not only Of Jerome D.
Travers: twice national and New Jersey
champion, and last years metropolitan IT,
tie holder, but also of as many prominent
players as can be found in any one club in
the New York district.