New-York tribune., 1911-01-20
LAWN TENNIS FIGHT ON
Campaign Launched Against the
Courts at Newport.
DEMAND CHANGE OF SCENE
Behr and Mahan Head Crusade
for Better Handling of
National Tourney.

Concerted action toward the playing OF
the national lawn tennis championship
tournament AZ some other place than the
ssipo courts at Newport. r. l.. has at last
taken form. Karl H Behr, the interna-
tional player, and Lyle Z. Mahan. FORMER
intercollegiate champion and Columbia Uni
ve-slty captain, are the leaders OF the
movement. which unquestionably will en-
aroll the United states National Lawn
Tennis Association in the most heated con-
t-oversy OF its existence. From the plans
revealed yesterday BY those who are 20
have charge OF the campaign against New
port, eli chances Of holding the meeting
rheYe this year are doomed.
Karl Behr and Lyle Mahsn favor the
Germantown Cricket Club, at Mannheim,
near Phladelphia, as the best place 70 de-
eide the important meeting. IN the esti-
nation OF both. the bad rnanag cement Of
zhe tournament at Newport has done more
20 injure the sport than anything else, and
according 10 Mr.. Mahan. il is tirns that the
national championship took on the dignity
Of sporting competition such as it de-
ssrves and left of being a whilom So
ciety function.
Coupled with the movement 70 take the
tournament away from Newport, where It
nas been held for thirty wears, T. also IS
-hs plan 10 hold the tournament about the
middle OF September. in place Of August, as
AZ The present time, and also 10 do away
Nth what many consider an unfair chal-
ltnge match for the title.
In this connection II was pointed out that
sehr and Mahan are both members OF the
west Side Tennis Club which several
wears ago changed the method Of decid-
'ng the metropolitan championship, and
placed il upon the playing through system.
IN outlining the plans by which It IS
hoped to work tho desired change Mr..
Nahau stated that the campa iCu would he
? vigorous one The game has outgroWn
the dwaddHnE methods pursued az New
port" he declared With all Of the digs
and harsh criticism that have been flung
at tire handling of the tournament on the
Casino courts there has been little or no
Improvement. Besides Newport is most in
accessible 90 the country I'm general with
-he exception Of Boston. II fails 10 repre-
sent the sport nationally in It's truest sense.
"PhilaGeIphia, on the other hand is
within eighteen hours Of Chicago. and that
means nearer the West. from which our
most interesting players are coming at the
present time. II Is easily accessible from
Cleveland, Pittsburg. Cincinnati. BaIu-
more and Washington and the South, where
lawn tennis IS showing such an amazing
growth; IT IS just as central and directly
reached as IS this city"
The Casino az Newport has not the
space necessary for holding the toUrna-
rnent, as II IS Increasing AT present. Twelve
courts, which is approximately the number
available there, is not sufficient when the
"ntry mounts to Isl players, as II did last
August Sleeping and eating accommoda-
'ions are more easily had In Philadelphia
~ any price the competitor wishes 70 pay.
II is not 50 az Newport
The difficulty OF obtaining officials which
has been the Joke Of the championship at
Newport also can be overcome At Philadel-
plla. The Germantown Cricket Club has
over six hundred playing members, in ad-
ditlon 70 several times that number who do
not. The Casino Club has about fifty. and
That select few rarely exert themselves 70
rffciato over match.
AT this time 7 am not al liberty 10 name
all OF those who have Joined IN the insur-
gency. but the list is q big one and includes
others who have played on International
teams for the Davis cup, leading champions
and workers for the game. We expect 10
receive support from some Of the Western
players, among whom Or. P, 3 Hawk is a
leader We believe that IT is time that the
lawn tennis map be changed. II we can
secure proxies enough before Friday. Feb
20 Dho
"A careful canvass OF several hundred
players certainly shows that the sentiment
ss against Newport by big majority. II
has often been asked N the last season or
Hwo: II the championship is taken away
from Newport, where can II be played with
20 good a field OF turf? We have answered
that question. The answer is found in the
perfect courts at Mannheim, whereon the in
ternatlonal match against the British Isles
team Of two years ago was decided. There
are more courts and every detail Is far
superior 20 Newport.
IF the lawn tennis players have the cour-
age Of their convictions the championship
or the coming season will be held there.
The passing OF Newport is at hand and the
naturalization Of the sport is about TO be
ushered IN, for II has been too long de-
lsyed."
Those familiar with the situation said
last night that II needed only concerted &C
ton on the part Of prominent players 10
Toll the knell Of Newport as the place Tor
holding the national tournament. The feel
sn0 against the social capital OF the coun-
rrv has been gaining because Of the fact
mat competitors from distant cities visit
ing the tournament for the first time found
20 their surprise. that the less important
meetings in their own districts were con-
Quoted with better Observance OF rule.
Their. Ia no doubt that the outcome will De
watched with interest throughout this coun-
Sry and In England.