Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-24
Wants A CHANGE
Tennis Champion Larned in
Favor of Abandoning Newport.
SEEK VIEWS OF PLAYERS
Mahan and Behr to Make a Com
plete Canvass on Proposed
Innovation.

NEW YORK. January 24-William 4.
I.arned, the national lawn tennis cham
pion. is said to be in favor Of taking the
championship tournament away from
Newport. A prominent player stated yes
terday that Larned had repeatedly re-
marked that it would be good thing to
so elsewhere, if suitable arrangements
and courts could be found for the tourna-
ment.
The same expert stated that Larned was
now IN Mexico on shooting trip, visiting
his younger brother Edwin p Larned.
and that those who were endeavoring to
bring about the change had tried to reach
him SO that his name might authoritative
ly be added to the list of prominent play
ers who favored taking such a radical
step.
At the office of Lyle f. Mahan the ex-
pected document that was to officially set
forth the plans and intentions of those
who are fostering the movement, togeth-
err with the names of the leading PLAYERS
connected with it. was not forthcoming
Mr. Mahan explained that Karl II. Behr.
who is the real captain of the insurgent
forces, had suddenly been called to Co
lumbus. Ohio, on business. Therefore, it
had been deemed advisable to await his
return before making the matter public in
its entirety. However. matters are pro-
been hoped or expected.
No Snap Legislation.
1T is the wish Of those who are In
charge of the movement to remove the
lawn tennis championship from Newport
TO some other place. said Mr.. Mahan, "to
accomplish the end in view only after a
most careful and well considered canvass
of the matter has been made among the
players OF the country. No snap Iegisla-
ton. the result of crafty political tactics
is to be sought by the leading players
who have this momentous movement In
charge. The one thing we desire to ac-
cOmplish is to SO benefit and improve the
game and its most important Tournament
held IN this country that it shall be thor
oughly representative as a purely amateur
sport, conducted for and by gentlemen in
every way.
In order to bring about a free and
open discussion. leaving no phase Of the
situation untouched nor CLOSING over
any, 1t Will be necessary to have the
strength of clubs and players represent
ed in the national association supported
either by their presence at the meeting
at the Waldorf-AstOria, or for those in
charge to hold the power of the proxy.
1t is matter Of-lawn tennis history
that at past meetings adequate and pos
sibly illuminating discussion has been
checked. or at least considerably cur
tailed. because of concentrated control
of the meeting vested in. proxies care
lessly and thoughtlessly turned over to
officials
This Is not the first time that the SUBJ
ject OF placing the national tournament
on some other courts than those of the
Casino has been brought before the an
nual meeting. Heretofore, however there
has been no direct appeal to ascertain
the opinions as to the wisdom of a
change, nor have the personal views OF
the men who have made lawn tennis his
tory there been sought and carefully
analysed. SO as to arrive at a coldly
judicial conclusion.
Will Do Game Good.
Those who are giving their time and
influence to this movement because OF
actual knowledge and experience most
conscientiously believe that change is
to be desired for the good of the game.
The time has arrived to conduct the
tournament with the dignity it deserves
and to recognize that lawn tennis is now
of national Importance In the field of
amateur sport and so must be conducted.
Nothing can be gained by a pickering
controversy. We wish to get at the facts,
squarely. and SO work for the upbuilding
of the sport to which the majority OF
those most interested have devoted their
attention for some years.
Furthermore. the inaccessibility of
Newport has, made il impossible for many
OF the lovers of lawn tennis and even
players to witness q national champion
ship. 1t has been for the fortunate few.
At Philadelphia. for instance. it would
easily be within reach of many who
could not get to Newport. There would
also be the ample accommodations for
all which large city provides and which
are not to be found at Newport unless
at prohibitive prices"