New-York tribune., 1912-12-14
Reelected to Lead Team in
Defence of Cup.
DATE OF MATCHES NOT SET
Formal Acceptance of Challenge
Also To Be Made at
Next Meeting.

Harry PAYNE Whitney IS TO captain the
American polo team in its defence Of the
Westchester international challenge cup.
The most famous Of American players
was unanimously reelected 20 this post
yesterday AZ the special meeting OF the
executive committee Of the Polo Associ-
alton. held AZ the Whitehall Club, Bat
terry Place. to discuss the challenge re
ceived from the Hurlinshsm club. Of Eng
land.
In announcing the selection OF Mr
Whitney and his acceptance Of the posi-
ton. W. A Hazard. the secretary OF the
Polo Association, said: "Mr. Whitney has
been selected again as the leader Of the
American team. He is the one man I'm
this country who may he depended upon
10 rally the strongest team possible
against the Enslishmen. Furthermore, he
has accepted this responsibility notwith-
standing the reports of his retirement
from the sport which have appeared in
number Of English and American jour
mails"
The meeting Of the executive commit
tee consumed nearly the entire afternoon.
and it adjourned without deciding TO no
tify the officials az birmingham as to the
formal acceptance Of the challenge. II. J..
Herbert the chairman Of the association,
explained that. while II was the eXpres-
sion OF the committee that the challenge
be accepted IT had been regarded as wise
not to take definite action until few
minor details could be arranged.
at II fFrb ct
Westbury, Long Island. would again b"
the scence Of the matches, he stated. as
in the contests Of 1910. The decision as
10 the dates furnished the chief obstacle
in the way OF formally accepting the chal-
lenge. This will be settled in . day or
two. Then another meeting Of the com
mittee will be held next week. at which
time the formal acceptance OF the chal-
enge will be mailed to birmingham, to-
gether with the dates, place Of deciding
the matches and other details regarded as
important 10 the Britons in their arrang-
Ing for the team under the leadership Of
the Duke OF Westminster 10 sail for this
country.
"In a large measure the same pro-
Gramme will be followed as regards the
selection Of the American defending team.
the ponies and other matters, as was the
case when the Englshmen challenged two
years ago" said Mr. Hazard. "Mr. Whit
ney will he in sole charge of the team.
The various committees will aid him III
every way possible. There will be a pre-
paratOry series Of try-out tournaments on
the field OF George Gould's estate at Lake
wood y. j. These practice contests will
begin as soon as possible. bat that de-
pends on how soon the ground is suf-
fcently free from frost to work the
ponies over at stiff gallops.'
From the canvass of the pony situa-
ton il appears evident that the Amcri-
cans will be well quipped with mounts
this year Captain John &. Groom. Of
Philadelphia Louis f. Stoddard, Of New
Haven: r. H. Agassz, Of Boston, and
myself compose the committee on ponies,
continued Mr. Hazard, and the reports
we have received are most encouraging.
II will not be necessary for any of the
men to go TO California or elsewhere
scouting fer mounts this time. or course,
all OF the players Of the top class will he
invited TO participate in the selection
matches at Lakewood, possibly at Cedar
hurst. Long Island. and wherever else
they mGy 5e held
While no players were named the high
goal men in this country include Harry
Payne Whitney. Monte Waterbury. Larry
Waterbury. DevereuX Milburn, FoXhall
Keenc r. J.. Agassiz, Joshua Crane and.
a few others. 1t is understood that each
Of these players will engage in the pre-
paratory matches.
The executive committee at its meeting
acted upon a number OF other matters
important TO American polo. The Boise
city Polo club. OF Boise City. Idaho, and
the Mid Week Club, OF Los Angeles. we're
admitted to membership in the associa-