The sun., 1915-06-13
~ MILTON &. WORK,
Chalrman Card Committee, The
whist Club OF New York.

Chairman Card Committee, The
whist club Of New York.
within the coming week The whist
Club OF New York will publish its 1915
code Of auction laws. which will be
found to vary in number OF very
important respects from any OF its
predecessors.
1eme Of these alterations while radi-
cal are nevertheless expected by the
auction players OF the country others
will unquestonably come in the nature
Of a distinct surprise. But while some
Of the changes are pronounced the club
cannot be accused OF abandoning its
we'll established principle OF conserva-
tism as there is much that has not
been touched that the committee has
been earnestly asked TO alter Dy players
whose opinions have deserved and re-
ceived the highest consideration.
The new code is offered with the sin
oere hope that 1t may meet the popular
demand and be universally adopted by
clubs and individuals all over the United
States.
The Whist Club is encouraged in
cherfshing this hope by assurances al
ready received from many Of the most
prominent auction playing organizations
OF the country that, as far az they are
concerned, the new laws will be adopted
as soon as issued Among these clubs
may be mentioned The New York
Bridge whist The Racquet OF Philadel-
rhia, The Racquet OF st. Louis and The
Minneapolis Club.
Demand for New Laws.
The last code issued by The whist
Cub (November, 19lD was at first gem
orally followed in all parts OF the
United States. Then the Portland Club
Of London promulgated its laws. which
were universally adopted in England
and on the Continent. and which in
cluded some very marked changes.
Some OF these new features appealed
to many Americans, and in certain
cases were first tested and then followed
in this country. This started the spirit
OF unrest and consequently during the
past few months The Whist CLUB mas
not only been strenuously urged TO
promulgate new code which wouih
meet the altered condition OF the auction
mind, but 1t has also been flooded with
suggestions, a few OF them unauestion-
ably OF great value as to how the laws
should be amended.
Very recently some clubs. answering
the demand Of impatient members wno
we're unwilling to wait for The whist
Club to act, have promulgated laws oi
their own and In consequence the great
est. confusion has resulted.
In certain cities the method OF playine
the game has varied in different ciubs
I'M, a few blocks apart Visitors have
thereby been seriously handicapped and
in social games II has often been neces-
sary TO delay the start until series
OF such questions as. Are we playing
spades?" has been determined.
This state OF affairs has produced q
ver1table auction babel and realizing
that under such conditions the game
could not and would not maintain III
present degree OF popularity many clubs
and individuals have of late requested
The Whist Club to hasten the announce
ment OF the code which, 1t has beer
generally understood was In the course
of preparation and would in accordance
with the clubs custom be made pubic
in the fall.
The club fully appreciating the ext
gencies of the situation, has agreed u
curtail its deliberations and as statec
above the full text OF the new laws Wi!
be announced in few days.
Laws Carefully Drafted.
In drafting this code the metropol
tan organization has borne in nina bu
two questions
What does the majority desire?
What is for the best interest OF th'
Esme? ,,,,.
The wishes OF the members OF Tn
Whist club have not been considerc'
any more than those OF any other pou!
Of expert auction players.
A public ballot has been taken an'
the UNFORTUNATELY 5000 votes cast hav'
been tabulated with laborious care ah'
the sentiment thereby evidenced ma
been carefully studied. Correspondent
with pl ointment players and clubs IN al
part Of the country mas been con
Quoted and in short every eHort nhaa
IN ascertain and follow the public VIII
The code which has been detci mine'
ucon will revoiutionize the play In nu
,,erous clubs notably AT The WINS
C,lub itself. but the members OF tina
organization have gladly agreed to cas-
aside some of their own pet noopie
for the sake Of harmony.
A ro;able instance OF this desire 10
uniform laws is shown in the case q
The Racquet cub of st. Louis II
large membership, whose average skl
ranks at least ON a par with any SIM
.lsr organization, voted unanimously 10
the retention Of the dual value OF IN
spade and yet assurances have bee
,.ven by ,ho leaders OF auction through
Out That city that the new code. withou
n. spade at Two. will he cheerfully &C
cepted there.
II ls to be hoped tina: this most CON
mendable example will be generally 10
lowed.
The arguments that "lt does not max
any difference to others what we DO
and at Is perfectly reasonable tina
we should play our own game as "
prefer H." are not quite sound.
An unmportant change in one ciu
or community may seem trivial. but
merely paves the way for more matters
changes elsewhere. aud In time the pres
ent confusion is bound to ensue one
more.
As the auction players in all part
OF the country are so earnestly urged
adopt the new code in its entirety
seems only fair that. at the very star
the committee that has drafted It shoul
take them completely into its conf
dence and explain the reasons whic
have induced each and every one Of I'll
changes and also explain why II hn
seemed to he wise not 10 make certai
other alterations wh!ch have been mos
forcefu!ly urged.
The Most NOta ble Change.
OF course. the most notable chans
n the elimination OF the spade wit
tho value OF two. Hereafter the spac
will have one value only. viz, 2,
other words. the spade becomes exactl
what the royal shade has heen bit