The Washington herald., 1912-02-25
By AL MACHLER.

for some time, but, as far as known, no
definite steps have been taken toward
securing this meet. In reply to an in
quiry. ABE Langtry. the Secretary Of
the A. B. c., stated that Washington
had the first opportunity to ask for the
1913 meet, no other cities being in the
field as yet.
Now, having the first opportunity TO
ask for this convention does not neces-
ssrily imply that 1t will be granted; IN
fact, opposition is certain to develop
among the Western bowlers to permitting
the tournament TO be held as far east
as Washington.
That Washington would make a sue
cess Of the tourney is very probable,
provided the proper men can be secured
TO undertake the stupendous task OF
handling such large affair. But wheth-
er in the same measure as the 1872
event is quite another question. The
Chicago tournament has 500 five-men
team entries. 1.SSS doubles and 2,S2S in
dlviduals, approximately one-third OF
which are drawn from Chicago itself.
How many teams could Washington en-
ter? The City Association tourney, which
closes tomorrow, showed but twenty
five five-men teams, and in a big tourna-
ment a still smaller number OF teams
would enter, for the reason that the
rules in these meets are more strict, and
a man can bowl but once in each event,
and not on two or three teams, as is the
case in the local tourney.
This would considerably reduce the
number OF entries, as teams would be
crippled to such an extent that il would
be considered waste OF money to enter.
as the men bowling on several teams will
naturally enter with the team they con-
slider strongest
One writer even went so far as TO
make the ridiculous assertion OF pre-
dieting 1000 five-men teams in case the
tournament was awarded to Washington.
Where these could come from is a mys-
tory to the writer. While the National
Capital is. in itself. undeniably a great
drawing card, the fact cannot be over
.ooked that a good many Western bowl
Frs must, of necessity, lose four to six
days by coming East, which will doubt
''ss greatly diminish the number of en-
RIGS from the West. The additional car
fare is also an item that the majority
Of bowlers will have to consider and this
IN connection with the fact that II would
be desired TO hold the meet during the
lime OF the inauguration OF the next
President when high hotel rates will
prevail instead OF the usual special rates
and concessions made bowlers on these
-ccasiOns, undoubtedly will have a ten
1"ncy TO keep down the number OF en-
tTies from the West.
1t would be quite natural to expect
that teams entering would all wish to
bowl during the inauguration week. when
= would he impossible to accommodate
hem. The only place available would
u Convention Hall, where about eight
'cn alleys could be laid. and not thirty
iiX. as the same writer maintains that is,
I it is figured on having any attendance
It all, in which case they must have
some accommodation Every square foot
of space cannot be used for ALLEYS.
Probably it did not enter into the calcu-
Euons that an additional eighteen al
Hys would not only wipe out any possi-
Gle profit to the local promoters, but
would leave the tournament company
.opelessly in debt, for alleys, of the stan
lard required at these big tournaments
are expensive affairs, or else the prize
list would have to be so cut down as
% cause a great deal of dissatisfaction.
Neither must it be overlooked that the
large concerns, who. prompted by local
pride and possible resulting advertising
'alue, are entering from ten to twenty
teams in the Chicago tournament GER
tainly will not go to the vastly greater
expense of sending a similar number OF
teams as far east as Washington
From the East perhaps so TO 500 teams
-Oulu De secured, PROVIDED the National
Bowling Association did not hold its
meet previously and snap up the greater
number of Eastern entries. Clubs en-
tering teams in both the large events. the
Eastern and Western, are decidedly few
In number, and, taking everything into con-
sideration. washington's chances of sur
passing the Chicago record would be, to
say the least. very slim.
To this must be added that Wash
fg pnf fn lraa
an impression on the Western bowlers by
the number of its entries in the Chicago
event. the Capitals representation be-
ing two teams. If the East is not great
y represented in the Western tournament
is ii reasonable to a. sUue that the West
will he largely represented in the tour
nament, were it held in the East? II
Eastern boWlers find the distance too
long, the loss of time incurred by such a
Irin too great, and the financial end of
IL serious consideration is It not like
ly that Western bowlers will regard an
Eastern trip similarly?
The fact that Mr.. Iangtry admits
that Washington has the first opportunity
to apply for the tourney is noncommittaI
and docs not mean anything; the West
ern bowIers will present their applications
in due time at the meeting to be held
in Chicago next month. a strong rep
resentatiOn at the Chicago convention
and concerted action on the part of To-
cal bowlers would appear essential in an
endeavor to place Washington on the
bowling map, but seemingly not a thing
is being done with this end in view and
the nothing doing sign will again be
hung out, as was the case last year.
The City Association Tournament, which
closes tomorrow. has proven TO be quite
a big success, as its predecessors. ex-
cepting that the class of bowling is not
up to the standard of previous meets.
This years records are far behind last
seasons, when the Fat Men. with 2,T3s.
won the championship in Glass A, the
NeuIands, with 2.764, in Glass B, and the
Potomacs, with 2,6iT. in Glass c. None
of the teams managed to reach the ., 200
mark this year.
Neither has last years mark in the
doubles, lisa made by McKnew and Lon
Krauss. been reached, nor Willie Miller's
high set in the singles, So. Tenpin marks
this season have been far and away be-
low those of previous years and lack or
interest in and too much dabbling with
duckpins may account for the situation.
Jimmy Cooper, with a set of go, in
the doubles, has the best individual mark
TO his credit in the tourney to date, also
being tied for high score with S35, Cald-
well being the other bowler to reach this
mark in one Of his games.
Ricketts, bowling with the Chamber of
Commerce team, proved to be the orig
inal comeback kid when after a start
Of III he twice passed the double CEN
xx-itf ScoreS of 909 nd 90