New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-24
NEED FENCING JUDGES
Amateur League Plans Action 10
End Controversy.
MAY NAME FIXED ARBITERs
Errors in Decisions in Important
Matches Brings Matters
to a Head.

Judging IN fencing tournaments and com.
petitions has fallen upon evil wav,
Throughout the season OF the Amassur
Fencers' League Of America. which en6.a
last night with the amateur championships.
at the New York Athletic Club. coutrovsr-
sy has waxed warm and acrimonious over
this vital point Even the intercollegiate.
competitions we're not free from most IN
pleasant charges that fragrant errors ~
Judgment were made.
Such veterans with the ancient ard claa.
sic weapons as Charles r. GOodue. OF ths
New York Athletic Club and the Fencsrx
Club: G. T Cont. OF the Italian Fence-s
Club: DIR. NJ Hammond. the president OF
the league. and others have been far from
satisfied with the way things have been
conducted this year Furthermore. with all
OF the effort toward simplifying the rules
there has been demonstrated an incomps-
tence in applying the laws that In the
belief Of those most interested. is destined
to be the cause Of some stirring discus
sions when the fencers meet for their an
nual session next month
The followers OF New York Athletic CIya
fencing are wrought up over alleged IN
fair decisions in the foils championship
p-elimlnaries which. they believe. robbed
Curt Of a place IN the finals. In his bour
with DIT. F. W. Allen. or the Boston Ath-
Ietic Association. the bent arm tactics Of
the latter are said 70 have been In dehancs
OF the rules.
The rules as promulgated last year ~
the league are unqualifedIy against the
bent arm tactics as a violation OF tr-ls
fencing form, allowing OF a false reposts
as an apparent attacking position IN thu
new arrangement OF the rules this f. 20 be
Stunned and the competitor so welding
his weapon is 10 be severely penaIlzed
There seems 70 be no question but that Dr.
Allen assumed the crouching half arm DO
sition. and yet he was the victor over
Curti whose performances with the fol-
have given him place in the championship
for several years past. 10 Is within the
possibilities that a protest may be lodged
with the officials as the outcome Of this
bout in the championships this year.
Those who have studied the problem Of
efficient Judging are OF the belief that the
solution lies in the election Of board Of
professional judges There are several rsa-
sons why this arrangement would bring
the results down 70 a more equitable basis.
The position OF the professional swordsmen
is such as 10 require OF them the utmost
Fairness
organizations would depend upon such a
result
II is. therefore. advocated that such COM
petent men as James Murray. OF TIE Car
negie Fencers' Club; Martin Cspdeville. J.
L. DOnguy. Louis VOuthier. Emile Guspy.
Louis Senac, whose reputation for fencing
ability in this country Is second 70 nons
and Robert Miller be constituted a board
OF judges for competitions. together with
such selections as may be made from
among visiting professionals Ike Signors
Assemble and Castillo. who are IN this
country at the present time. When the
fencing season is at its height there are
always professionals from abroad visiting
in this country. and as they are sure TO be
without preferences as 20 victOrs they
would unquestiOnably provide an excellent
balancing power in a board Of judges.
IL is the opinion Of several that the rivalry
between some Of the clubs has arrived at
such a point as almost 20 preclude fair
decisions. The opportunities for declaring
touches and penalties are far too many. ana
il Is this that has prolonged a number OF
the competitions into the small hours OF the
night. The arguments among the officials
have consumed much more time than the
actual activity Of the bouts. All OF the
experts are Of the belief that the rules
and the detailing Of the judges should be
changed. and this matter viii receive al
tention at the annual meeting Of the na-
tionaI governing body. TO be held ID his
city within a fortnight.