New-York tribune., 1912-12-03
WHITNEY STILL IN POLO
Rumor of Retirement Denied by
the Association.
AWAIT FORMAL CHALLENGE
No Plans To Be Made for Cun
Match Until After Meeting
of Committee.

H. L. Herbert, chairman Of the Polo
Association, stated emphatically that the
rumor as to the retirement of Harry
Payne Whitney from polo was without
foundation. When seen at the Offices OF
the Polo Association, in the WhitehaIl
Building, yesterday afternoon, Dir. Her.
bert said that the association had received
cable message from Nottingham stating
that formal challenge for the Westches
ter International Polo Cup had been
mailed 10 this country. No formal action
as to acceptance or rejection of this chal-
lenge could be made until at a meeting
OF the executive committe OF the Amert-
can governing body. He said that as soon
as the challenge arrived that a meeting
of the committee would be called in this
city He expected that a favorable ac-
ceptance would then be sent to the Hur-
ingham Polo Club unless there We're pro-
visions as TO the playing dates or other
matters which the Americans might and
II impossible to meet
Commenting upon the rumor regarding
Harry Payne Whitney, who acted as cap (
tain Of the American challenging team
in 1910 that lifted the cup and returned 1t
TO this country. and who acted as captain
of the successful defenders at westbury.
Long Island, the following year. Mr.. Her
bert branded 1t as ridiculous.
I'm the first place. we have only re-
ceived notification that a challenge from
Hurlingham and a team under the lead
ersh;p Of the Duke OF Westminster is to
be expected. 1t Is. therefore, obviously
premature for any player to be nominat-
| ed, either for place upon the American
defending team or as its captain. These
matters are solely under the jurisdiction
of the executive committee, OF which Mr..
Whitney Is a valuable and prominent
member Furthermore, Mr. Whitney Is
too generous and able a sportsman to
jeopardize the successful defence of the
cup at a time when his services may most
be required. No one connected with the
Polo Association has been able to dis
cover where such canard started. II is
beyond the possibility OF belief that Dir.
Whitney. who was so prominently iden-
titled with the return OF the Westches-
ter cup to this country, would fall TO take
his place on the American defending polo
team, provided he is requested to do 50
by the executive committee.
1T is natural. Of course, that the names
of the most prominent players in this
country, such as Monte and Larry Water
bury. Devereaux Milburn, Louis Z. Stod-
dard, John Crane, Foxhall p Keene ana
r. l.. Agassiz, should receive attention.
from the followers of polo at this time.
1t is certain, however, that no selections
for the team will be made, provided
that the challenge is accepted, until alter
a full and complete series of trial
matches.
There is q general inclination to de-
eide such contests adjacent to a big cry
like New York or Boston or Philadelphia.
OF course, for this city. that would mean
playing the matches on the great heid
of the Meadowbrook Club. at Westbury'
Long Island. probably early in June. There
is the possibility, nevertheless, that
may be found advisable 10 play upon the
field of the Point Judith Polo Clup' at
Narrasansett Pier, or at the Westchester
Polo club. at Newport The selection OF
the place will largely depend upon the
time the British players wish, and ae-
COrdinR to the dTTdllSeHlShtS tii~e N~'
be made II is quite probable that the
Duke OF Westminster viii wish 10 &C
climate both the players OF his team ana
the ponies for several months IN thls
country before the match. In such an
event, and if late season date Is decided
upon. Narragansett Pier or Newport seems
the most probable
All OF the members of the executive
committee have been notified by W. A.
Hazard, secretary of the Polo Associa-
ton. TO hold themselves In readiness 10
attend meeting which will De called az
soon as the formal challenge is received.
The committee includes X. L. Asassiz ana
Joshua Crane. of Boston; John c. Groom
and Charles Wheeler. of Philadelphia;
Alexander T. Prinn. jr.. Of st. Louis, ana
August Belmont, w. A. Hazard. haIryI
PAYNE Whitney and II. L. Herbert Of
this city.