New-York tribune., 1911-02-13
C0NKL|N NOT ALARMED
Bi|liardistS Delighted at Move
ment to ENCOURAGE Amateurs.

officials of the National Association or
Amateur Billiard Players refused TO take
any stock in the news of threatened seces-
sion that came yesterday from the chicago
Athletic Association As for Charles r
Conkln, who is leading in the tournament
for 1872 balklipe international honors, as the
representative Of the Illinois Athletic Club,
with characteristic conservatism he de-
clared that he would be ready TO say some
thing to the point when he was informed
of his suspension by the Chicago A'hleuc
Association
At the Liederkranz Club where the chaih
pionship tournament will end on Wednes-
day night, members Of the national nodV
and the players were inclined 10 treat the
matter lightly. Gustave o. Roudolphy'
president OF the club and the leading spirit
in the management Of the tournament salu'
"Tbere seems TO be some misunderstand-
inc between the two important athletic
clubs Of Chicago. The differences are those
with which the National Billiard Associd-
ton has nothing whatever 10 90 lHeie
can be no threat Of secession, as actudlIy
the present association would be dellghteo
at anv attitude to further the interests ol
the amateurs The officers Of this asso-
citation have spent lot Of time and money
nm the snort. The records, open 10 all, snow
that a definition Of what constituted an
amateur has been framed Furthermore II
has been enforced. The ranks OF billlards
have been purged Of the taint OF proles-
sionasm.
1T has been the effort OF the nauonaI
association 10 bring out new players or de-
velop them. But amateur players OF 'IaSS
4 calihre are scarce We have spent a lot
OF effort trying to find new blood TO recruit
the ranks OF the oldtimers. There are ABOUT
ten men of the top class rating IN TINS
countrv. Less than half Of that select
group can be induced 10 compete IN a chan-
rionship. We certainly wish the proposed
new Organization success in digging up
como others. Our association has never
sought TO monopolize amateur billiards. We
have merely ruled to prevent any mas
ouaradirg OF a professional, and TO keep
amateur billiards clean for the gentlemen
who played in the tournaments. The as
ISOLATION has even placed limit on the
value of the prizes, so that no other incen-
tive other than the honor might inspire
competitions.
Not aiming to rule the game, the asso-
ciation has not sought TO whip in members
The association has been conducted only as
the necessary organization for the direction
Of such tournaments as might be played.
II the directors of the Chicago Athletic AS
sociation have any other idea they are mis-
! taken"
The two matches that will be played in
| the tournament to-day will bring j. feTdl-
nand Poggenburg against Joseph Mayer in
the afternoon, while Albert Poensgen will
cppose Edward W Gardner in the evening.
/ Conklin is the leader of the tournament
He has won three games without defeat.
counting 300 points, with a grand average
| Of 1452 Gardner's grand average IS l3 e3.
Poegenburg comes next. with 1850. Mayer.
who has not won a game. is fourth. with
grand average of 395. with Poensgen at
$50. Dr.. L. l. Mial is the last of the six
aspirants for The honors. with $50.
The playing OF Conklin has been the
steadist of any of the competitors. Johnny
Carroll was so impressed with his playing
that he wagered 800 against the field that
the Chicago amateur would win the cham
pionship honors with plenty 10 spare.
Six more matches remain 10 decide the
international championship. and these VIII
be played in regular order the flrst three
DAYS of this week. AS the contestants en-
ter upon these deciding games their record
for the nine games played. with high runs
and high single averages. is as follows: