New-York tribune., 1912-02-10
Champion Hereafter Must Play
Through National Tourney.
BOB WRENN AT THE HELM
Elected President to Succeed Dr..
Dwight-Newport Again
Gets Big Fixture.

In the Waldorf Astoria. last night a radical
departure was made in the handling of the
annual championship tournament at New
port. After a long discussion the pro-
gresSves carried their point. and II was
decided that hereafter the national cham
pion should not stand OUT to meet the
winner of the all-comers in challenge
round. but must play through the tour
nament thus putting himself on an equal
footing with all other competitors.
Lyle f.. Mahan. of the West Side Tennis
club, started the controversy on playing
through. which hitherto has always aroused
considerable opposition But the temper OF
the present meeting was for progress. To
the surprise of many Of the delegates Bob
Wrenn left the chair and took the floor.
Ho stated that he had discussed the sub
ject al length with William ~ Larned, the
seven times national champion, before the
latter sailed for Australia. After careful
deiberation upon the matter he said that
Larned had changed from his views Of
few years ago and had come out most en-
phatically in favor Of establishing the rule
that the national champion play through
the tournament instead Of standing out, as
he had done for thirty years
He said that because of his many trials
for the championship and I'm his defence
Of il no player in this country was better
qualified to pass upon the question than
Larned Then he pointed to the records,
which showed that the champions position
was almost impregnable and that ne had
been dislodged only a few times In thirty
years. Mr. Wrenn added that he believed
in the new order of things. that the test
was fairer for the champion TO take his
place among tho others and he hoped the
change would he enacted.
Henry w Slocum, the oldtime cham
plon. who followed Dick Sears, also spoke
I'm favor of the proposed change, as did
Edwin L. Torrey. a member of the eXecu-
tive committee
Robert D. Wrenn. four times holder OF
the national title when at his best several
years ago. was elected president 10 succeed
Or. James Dwight who has held the office
for nineteen years Henry W. Slocum. also
a former champion. was elected vice-presi-
dent. while A. L. Hoskns was reelected
secretary and Richard Stevens treasurer.
Opposition TO Newport as the place for
the national singles tournament and doubles
challenge match again developed, but the
delegates voted in favor OF going back to
the Casino courts.
A vigorous appeal was made by the
Point Judith Country Club TO have the
CHAMPIONSHIPS go to Narragsnsett Pier
Superior courts, reduced hotel rates, demo-
cratic tone Of the residents, better oppor-
tunities Of the majority OF the players to
md he 81
having the free use OF a bathhouse were
offered az inducements.
The Crescent Athletic Club also bid for
the preliminary East, West South and Pa
ciic Coast doubles, after the singles had
been awarded to Newport, but to no avail
The Eastern preliminary doubles VIII Dc
PLAYED at the Longwood Cricket Cluo
courts. near Boston. while the Southern
preliminary singles and doubles went 70
Atlanta The Pittsburgh Athletic Associa-
ton was the successful bidder for the clay
court championship OF the United States
The national women's singles and doubles
and the national mixed singles and doubles
were awarded to the Philadelphia Cricket
club The Merton Cricket club was sue
cessfuI in getting three ixtures-the Penn
championship of Pennsylvania and the
Eastern States and the intercollegiate
championship.
The 7th Regiment in this city again was
awarded the indoor championships. includ-
ing the national mems singles and doubles
and the national women's singles and
doubles. This award is for 1913, as the
indoor championships for 1912 start at the
armory to-day.
The Western preliminary doubles and the
Western doubles championships went TO
the Osawanna Club. OF Chicago.
pr. Dwight was not present at tho meet
ing. for the first time in more than twenty
wears. and a. l.. Hoskins presided until
Nr. Wrenn was elected president.
An attempt to have the preliminary
matches in the national tournament cur
tailed To the best two in three, instead OF
host three IN five sets. as at present. met
with failure. II was thought that by al least
cutting the preliminary matches to short
sets up 10 the final sixteen, II would short
on the tournament. The suggestion was
voted down. on the principle that the pre-
limlnary matches gave the players the best
opportunity 10 show their true worth.
After a considerable discussion the old
order of the national ranking, which gave
individual standing to competitors, was
declared obsolete, and the new ranking in
troduced last fall was approved. lndivid-
uaI, I'm the first ten will be rated numerl-
csily. but after that the competitors VIII
be ranked in nine classes, according TO their
standing This was victory for Miles ;.
Cha rIncI, the dissenting member OF the
ranking committee of last year. opinion
almost was EVENLY divided on this score.
and the motion passed only by a narrow
margin Of II 10 So votes.
\ committee of five will be appointed by
,no president. two Of tho committee, at
Toast. being lawyers, who will draw M
now constitution and present IL at the next
meeting, IN 1918,
heretofore tho executive committee OF
tho national organization has consisted OF
nine members and the four officers. IL was
suggested that the executive committee pe
Increased TO eighteen. but by vote OF IV-
IN q II was decided that the regular busi-
moss of the meeting would not be disturbed
10 pass upon this question.
The following men were elect d TO make
nm with the officers, the execu' We commit"
tee. sumner Hardy. San Francisco: l.. ID.
Got, Atlanta. Ga. and Ralph Hoterhon,
Karl Rehr offered a motion that some
,,,etbod he devised TO limit the entries for
tho national tournament After some dis
.,,ssior this question was referred to a
committee of three.