Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1911-08-26
PUBLIC SHOULD BE
INTERESTED IN THE MATTER.
Idea of Equippine the Courts Of the
National Rogue Association Grounds
With Concrete Borders-One Sub
scription Promised

Frank H. Foss, secretary and treas
urer of the National Rogue associa-
ton of America, writes The Bulletin
as follows:
Z 1t was with great pleasure that
read Professor Jacobus' letter in the
Record of August 22d, in regard to
rogue. There was one proposition or
suggestion contained therein which 1
wish to heartily endorse.
For thirty years the National Rogue
association has met during the third
week in August each year in this city.
At each tournament there have been
from thirty to forty five players, many
bringing in addition their families,
there have also been non-players pres
ent in fair proportion, unable to play
from lack of practice, or because of
from lack of practice, or becaues Of
age.
AT conservative estimate the citi-
zens of Norwich have received, in the
form of room rents, board, purchases
and incidentals, from nine hundred to
Thousand dollars each year from
the members of the association.
Furthermore, every one who has at
tended a tournament in the Rose of
New England" which, despite her
thorns,. is still SO beautiful has gone
away full of enthusiasm for our city,
its location, picturesqueness, and
hospitality. Such feeling is an as
set of great value, and has successful
ly resisted every attempt to transfer
the tournament elsewhere. This, al
Springfield in particular have offered
for the use of the players, grounds
furnished by the city itself
l think | am correct in saying that
never has a sport been continued SO
long without serious controversy Or
quarrel of any sort, and L am sure
that in no sport f1ourishing today can
better class of men be found-in
gentlemanly qualities courtesy and
fairness, though drawn from every oc-
cupation-than are found in the game
of rogue.
The time has arrived when this as
sociation has decided to further
standardize it's courts by the use of
cement or concrete borders, which
have met with success wherever tried.
1t has been a strain on almost every
player who has come to Norwich to
help finance the association, and it is
a splendid proof of the advantages OF
our city that this group of men should
prefer the strain on their purses rath-
er than the pull on their heart strings
which leaving Norwich would neces-
state.
The cost of laying solid cement
borders is in the neighborhood of six
ty dollars ground. For eight grounds
this makes a grand total of $3.50. If
the cement blocks are merely laid on
the surface, the cost would be reduc-
ed somewhat. However, anything
which makes for permanence seems
better than makeshift, requiring
work every year in leveling, ETC., and
surely we should be glad and PROUD
to aid Norwich in acquiring perna-
| nently courts of the best and latest
construction, that our eity may be to
rogue what Newport is to tennis, to
| our own and the associa TONS greater
| glory.
Already one gentleman, not a resi-
dent of Norwich. unsolicited has Of
fered SIS for that purpose, and it is
my firm belief that there are enough
public minded citizens in Norwich to
aid US in raising the whole sum nee
| eSsary, SO that every court may be
| fully equipped for next seasons play.
The idea was suggested to me by
| Professor Jacobus' letter, and the re-
| suit, if accomplished. will be in the
| nature of an entire surprise to the as
ISOLATION, for nothing of the sort was
i suggested during the tournament
Subscriptions of any amount will be
| graf efully received and may be sent
TO either The Bulletin or Record Of
| flee, or directly to the secretary treas
! urer.
| It may be, of interest to state tina;
/ the Norwich Rogue and Tennis club
Is the poSSeSSof~ OIL TWO S0Hd silver
/ cups. valued al $40, THE gift of a for
Tner resident of Norwich. to stimulate
! interest in the game of rogue. a tour
| nament for the possession of which is
| now in progress on the Rockwell street
grounds.
| I close with an urgent appeal tc
every one who has the best interest of
| Norwich at heart to help in this gen
erous project, and add one more to the
long list of splendid things which she
or her citizens have accomplished.