The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1913-03-06
CHANCE FOR
TENNIS CRAFT
No Rule to Restrain From Com
merCiaIizing Game.
TERM AMATEUR is PUzzLiNG

Wranqling at Recent Meeting of Ma
tionaI Lawn Tennis Association, but
Nc Decision.
Lawn tennis players who are wise" +
and have a leaning to commercialism
can make the most of their opportuni-
ties during the coming season and play
in the tournaments where tranSpOrta-
ton and free board are offered, wheth-
er it be by a club or hotel. 1t is .
likely to be the last year for this sort
of petty graft. Under the amateur def
milton which the United States Ma
tional Lawn Tennis association placed
on its records at the annual meeting in
New York recently the only thing that
operates against player being an am
ateur seems to be employment by a
merchant of sporting goods in the lawn
tennis department.
BY a strange freak of legislation the
delegates voted a new constitution and
bylaws to supersede the old, which
practically We're identical with the laws
under which the association has been
directed for more than twenty years
with one unimportant exception. The
great opportunity Of enacting effective
laws to govern the game, which is be-
coming more widespread every year
and attracting the youth of the coun-
try, was completely lost in the mists
Of argumental fog and uncertain verb
iage.s
The clause in the section defining an
amateur which would have prevented
the stigma OF accepting valuable gratu-
tiles if not money would surely have
been passed had slight changes been
made in its wording which would have
made it as effective in operation. It
appeared that the majority of the dele
gates were in favor of legislation Of
this sort.
But they split on the question of legit-
innate clubs entertaining players. Karl
Behr was quick to see this and endeav-
Ored TO have the Objectionable features
amended. Lyle f. Mahan and other
members of the revision committee
were given time to submit a change.
The result of their labors was so hope
lessly involved that Behr's efforts and
the Objectionable clause, which was
the crux of the whole structure, tum-
bled together. This clause, which was
stricken from the amateur definition,
read as follows:
'HaS never accented from
any hotel, club or similar organization
at which or in connection with which
a tennis tournament is being held,
transportation or money for transpor-
tation or board, lodging or other gen
eral living accommodations or money
to cover any or all of the same, or
any secret or exceptional reduced rate
in connection with such tournament
The Interpretation of this rule shall
not prevent player from taking adj
vantage of a reasonable special rate
from such hotel, club or similar organ
ization if such special rate is properly
announced and is open to any one en-
tering the tennis tournament"
Two remarkably strong points devel-
oped in favor of such a clause as the
above being incorporated in the Ameri-
can rules. England has recently enact
ed such a law, and the International
federation, which meets in Paris next
, month, contemplates similar action in
its efforts to standardiZe all of the laws
! and rules for all nations.
' Henry w. Slocum, the chairman of
9 the revision committee, struck a true
a note when he stated that an American
! amateur might find himself debarred
G from foreign tournaments because OF
:, the laxity of the American rule in this
Q respect, and after the meeting il was
remarked that a question of this char
hnl J;v>IxD
g simulated by England as to a player OF
q the United States Davis cup team, who
!; possibly because of this, did not take
: part in the matches
+ The one thing that impressed those
d who attended the thirty-second annua
|. meeting of the association was the
{ fact that the voting of proxies no long
S er falls into the hands of one or two
g prominent officials. 1t was much spill
q up, the western and southern clubs
d standing fairly well together in votine
a upon most matters, with sprinkling
d of the smaller eastern clubs giving
4 them the balance of power.
IS On several occasions the line of de
r narration appeared almost fractional
il the west voting against the old guard
VI IhS east. II Is llhSIy ludI ILLS pc
r. culiar feature will rather increase thar
e diminish, as the clubs throughout the
a country are becoming interested an(
u educated in the government of tn,
/ game.
II In connection with the awarding O.
L the national all corners championship
e to Newport again Bob Wrenn revealed
r the fact that the governors of the ca
II sino are aware that the tournament
> must be given a splendid setting in or
der to continue it there. The grounds
Al have been scientifically surveyed, 81
D that a greater number Of courts will
o be available next August.