Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-02-03

tain his billiard honorB?
This question is now upper
most In the minds OF the cue
enthusiasts. Finding a suitable oppo-
nenr for the worlds 1871 and 49, bslk
line champion is Just as hard as look
Ing around for a man capable Of re-
lievinS Jack Johnson Of his pugilistic
honors. Hoppe has defeated every cue
artist of note during the last year, and
with no one in sight able to make the
holder of the two titles extend himself
1t looks as IL 1t will be many years be-
fore he Is dethroned.
The youthful master Of the cue be-
gan the 1910 season with no titles dan
Cling to his belt, but closed it the
champion at both 1871 and 1872 balk line
aud In so doing incidentally placed to
his credit the worlds record for 1871
with a high run Of les and an average
Of SO 5-15 for 500 points. Till last year
the best average was 81, made by
Frank Ives in 1897. while the high run
OF lao was made by the same player.
Calvin Demarest was the champion
1872 with the opening OF the year,
George Sutton holding the title at the
more difficult style of 1871. Hoppe was
without a title through differences with
the firm that controls billiards in this
country, which placed him outside of
the professional game. This matter
was adjusted. and experts predicted
that In due time he would gather to
himself the crown at both 1872 and ISL.
In the meantime Demarest was de-
feated for the 1872 championship by
Harry Cline OF Philadelphia in Chicago
Feb. 3 by 1.5oo TO 1887. Hoppe got his
opportunity at Sutton for the 1871 title
in Chicago on March 18, winning 500 to
22S. He grabbed Cline's laurels from
him at h 1872 balk line In New York
on May 20. the score being 500 to 1914.
thus making him the champion OF both
styles Of play.
George Slosson met Hoppe In .
championship match for the ISL title
In New York on Dec. / and .. the lat
ter easily taking the veteran into camr
by 1000 points to 47l. 1t was on the
drst night of this play that Hoppe
made his record Of 90 Ia average.
| In = match with Ora Morninxstar In
Ptttshurx on Feb. 8, 1 and 5 for 1,6ot
points Hoppe made a worlds record al
1s.2 In averaging SIN to an inning. low,
ering the previous mark Of II average
Some authorities dispute this record.
While Hoppe has won matches al
over the world and played before tn.
nobility abroad, nothing pleases hin
moro than the fact that ne mas beef
entertained by the president Of tn,
United States and has grasped tn,
hand of the genial Mr.. Taft. An addet
distinction In that Hoppe IL the frs
man who v Q showed the official fami
1y In tho White House the mysteries o
the cue and the worries.
1t was on New Years eve that Pres
ident Taft gathered together his famil,
and the cabinet members and thei
wives and invited Willie Hoppe to pIa,
billiards for them.
81 had played In many championship
where large sums were involved as wei
as the championship" said Hoppe re
Gently. "but I never before experience
ing the exhibition before the presi
dent"
Mr.. Taft, however, made the ''bo.
wonder" as Hoppe Is known, feel a
home by saying:
my young man, just consider me a.
ordinary citizen tonight, for I wan
you to feel at ease and not get nerv
GUS"
AS Don as Hoppe got his favorit
cue In hand and started the ivorie
rolling he says the u van
! ished. and never did the youth pla