New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-01-02
WEST FORG0LF WAR
EAST PREFERS PEACE.
Hopes to Auert Z. S. @. 4.
Spkt-Players Quoted.

x
As the time approaches for the annual
meetings Of the United States and the
Western golf associa items local devotees
AZ the game are becoming MORE and more
concerned for It's future welfare. A gen.
srsl topic Of discussion these DAYS is
whether or not the Western body will vote
to Increase its geographical lines TO all of
North Arsler;ca and also change its name
srosn Western TO American.
The Western golfers have been accused
81 looking for fight Certainly some of the
dispatches that have come from that quar-
ter recently would seem to indicate as
much On the other hand, Fasteners al
most to man appear 10 favor extending
the olive branch and even granting liberal
concessions In preference TO throwing the
country into a golf war. That the West
Eas determined 70 adopt an aggressive
policy ct its coming annual meeting. to be
held in Chicago on January Is. seems TO be
generally conceded A letter recently re-
cetveo from = leading Western golfer reads
IN part as follows:
The Western Golf Association meeting is
Eoing 70 be Lively one. with the few
heing run ovsr with q steam roller. You
can also take IL from me that the United
States Golf Association meeting in New
York is certain 70 prove another lively at
fair. and there may be some real Western
crs on hand 60 say right out loud in meet
The United States Golf Association year
&c get its house in order. but 1t would not
heed the handwriting on the wall.
a recent action by Cincinnati golfers
shows that Chicago las ceased to be the
only stronghold Of the insurgents. II is as
serted that the Cincir matt golfers will vote
solidiy for the proposed amendments at the
-eS hat he nit
States Golf Association has displayed both
sn unfair and unprogressive spirit Late ad-
vices from Chicago are that. the vote at the
meeting viii be Overwhelmingly IN favor of
the aTnecdments.
Robert c. Watson, secretary Of the United
States Golf Association. In discussing the
situation yesterday. admitted that officials
of the organization were at work trying to
formulate some plan with a view TO bring
ing about harmony. He said that progress
vas being made along several lines al
though thus far all appeared 10 have their
faults. IN his opinion just what action will
be taken st the annual meeting in this city
must 10 a greater or less extent hinge on
me move made il the West Furthermore,
he believes that the United States Golf AS
ISOLATION meeting viii be of such impor-
tance, with so many vital questions to be
eetLe6. that II VIII be impossible TO do
everything ar that time Consequently he
thinks considerable business will have TO DO
transacted lev the executive committee at
some future date.
Among the changes 20 be suggested at
the meeting hare On January q viii be to
On away with the two classes OF member
ship The cry was raised years ago in the
West against the associate and allied,
distinction, bat thus far it has been the
he hf.f5z- rt-1r
form 81 government would be unwise II
has also been suggested 70 divide the coun-
Try into four psTts-North. East. South and
Rest-g1vtng each an equal voting power.
Iris is also tcund 90 meet with vigorous
opposition.
In the opinion OF g local golfer who has
BEEN studying the problem for years, the
time has at last arrived when: the West is
rot only threatening, but Is actually
anxious 10 break away from the fold He
declares that the westeruers don't want 10
DC coucil!ated; that they have become
''ehesty" iu the belief that because Of the
rapid growth and spread of the game be-
yond the Alleghanies it is only question
Of few years Vnta they VIII form the real
centre and strength of golf IN America
1T seems TO nle that the West is unnec-
@ssarily disturbed" observed F.'S. Wheeler,
e member OF the executive committee of
The Metropolitan Golf Association. Contin-
JJing he said:
Il do not see how we could have more
than one recognized rule making body
Neither do I see any good reason for the
threatened breach between the United
States Golf Association and the Western
Golf Association There has never been
any dispo sition On the parr of the parent
organization 10 ride reughshod over the
s1s,
Then, again, the West in some things is
little new. and undoubtedly takes the
w-cng conception OF the situation That
Keen, competitive spirit is more apparent
OF there. both on and of the links This
IS quite different from the East, where d
sood match IS probably enjoyed just as
much, though this phase is made subsid-
tary 70 the sport and recreation side, which
comes first. Rather than have the two Sec
1tons pulling in opposite directions, how
ever, ! would rather see all clubs placed
on an eq1al voting basis, 1t might even
te advisable for the United States Golf
Association TO make concessions in dig
nifed manner. though this might not prove
practicable should the Western body carry
oUt certain moves now contemplated"
Il. y Keep. president Of the New Jer-
seq State Golf Association. in e converse
ton with the writer, said:
n case like this it seems 20 me that
reasonable concessions should be made by
irola sides rather than haVe the best inter-
estS Of the game jeopardized. 1t is un-
. quesuonahly preferable. though. to have
the management Of the sport in wise
hands, as represented by q few of the big
d1bs. Il the constitution of the United
States G9E Association should be charged
so as 70 gave all the little clubs equal vot-
iaS privileges. 1 am afraid our annual
meetings would not be the orderly affairs
they have been up 70 the present time. In
that way il might easily be possible for a
lot Of the smaller fry that had not given