New-York tribune., 1910-12-18
PLANS ALL-DAY Session
Lawn Tennis Association Make
Change in Procedure.
WANTS FULL DISCUSSION
Two Hours Considered Too Shor,
To Take Up Every Phase
of Sport. =

Plans have been launched TO establish n
ali-day session for the coming annual
meeting OF the United States Nations:
Lawn Tennis Association which win 81
held at the Wa1dorf-Astoria during tte frs.
week Of February. Heretofore the business
Of year, together with matters Of inter
national challenge, revision OF rules and ali
of the ever increasing details of the gam.
have been crowded into brief two hou-s
at night There has been no time ts-
practical discussion. and the real wishes
and the opinions of the players could no:
be obtained. The programme has been 20
Immediately hand over every inportan.
matter TO the executive committee. Oncs
there, the matters often died becs suse Of rasl
impossi6ility of further agitation.
DR.. Philip 3. Hawk, Of the UniverSity ..
Illinois and lately of the University OF Pen--
syIvanfa is the official who moves toward
more light and openness in lawn tennis a.
fairs Lawn tennis legislation that Is al
affect every player OF the game he b.-
lieves, should be open 70 discussion 6-
every man affiliated with the national gov
erning body who 4as any opinion on -aa
subject and wishes to voice his views. H.|
does not believe in handing out decisions
from behind closed doors
In the past history OF lawn tennis In,
has worked much damage. II has ed n
the sport being misunderstood and IA,
brought harsh criticism down upon the Soz.
erHing body At present DR.. Hawk Is
member of the executive COMMITTEES. and
therefore his openly expressed views car~y
additional weight at this time. II viii bs
remembered that in an open letter yes.]
ago Dr. Hawk first attracted the attention
of players throughout the country. The,
he charnpiOned the cause Of the clay court
players who comprise at least 50 per cert
OF the following in this country Beror.
that Frederick B. Alexander. the interus.
tionalist. and others had been unsuccessful
In launching national championship tour.
nament for this division of the sport Bg.
DIR. Hawk piled up statistics He brought
logical and common sense argument to besr|
IN fearless, Tree and open manner. fs|
came out and fought in the open
SO well did he work that at the annual
meeting of last February the clay co1r.l
championship of the United States becans.l
reality as tournament II was held eri
the courts OF the Omaha Field Club. witsl
record entry list. only slightly sulaIls-I
numerically than Newport, and ueariyl
every state In the Union was represented
DR.. Hawk was elected TO the executiys
committee in the face of some strong opps
sitton.
From his experience at the annual mesr1
ings of the association Dr. Hawk nas
learned that the best interests of the spor-
may be served by lengthier sessions. TvS
hours were insufficient for the work =
hand especially as the association I'D
y
now represents four million players and
the most influential athletic clubs and orr
ganizations in this country Two hours wan
all well enough when nothing west of Chi
caso nor south of Washington was to 81
considered.
Pursuing the same policy that he did =
wear ago. DR.. Hawk has Just Issued M
following letter upon the subject:
The time is approaching when those os]
us who have at heart the best tnteress
of the game of tennis in this country na;'
uraIIy turn our thoughts toward the com
ing annual meeting of the United States
National Lawn Tennis Association | vous
like to propose s. change In the charaetS
of our annual official gathering and would
ask that the proposition be considered sas
discussed r-sls
Now, my proposition Is that the snnuA(
meeting OF the L. s. y. l.. T. a. be hsA
in two sessions, a morning session lsv1
and an afternoon session (2-5p. Then m cs1
evening let the delegates from the various !
clubs get together with the officers OF ID J
association and have a nice little dime
love feast in order that We may return +
TO the various sections Of our country faa .
of tennis spirit, and better acgusi1'S |
with our fellow delegates and with ne
officers Of the association and more keers
appreciative of the scope and inporfans
of the tennis interests of the United StsssA