Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-05
MARTIN -GEIST MATCH
ROUSES GOLF WORLD
DR.. j. w. White Replies to Cler-
ical Critic and Colleague.
Also INDUCES in Satire.

That 100000 to $1,000 wager for the en-
dowment of a chair of surgical research
at the University of Pennsylvania, which
hinges on the outcome of game of golf
TO be played by Or. Edward Martin and
Charles II. Geist, who has put up the big
end of the stake threatens to split not
only the golf-playing contingent OF these
parts but TO involve certain gentlemen
of the cloth as we'll.
Hot upon the publication Of a minister's
letter protesting against the University
proflting from the proceeds of a gambling
game, came today carefully -worded
epistle from Dr.. j. William White, who
endoavors to straighten out the ethical
question involved and to guarantee that
the University would receive the amount
of the bet with unstained hands.
Dr. White wrote:
My attention has just been called
TO the fact that a clergyman has sent
to the newspapers protest against
the University consenting to profit
from bet said to have been made
between AIR. Gcist and DIR. Edward
Martin. rhc profit accrued to the
University, according to the terms of
the alleged wager, If Doctor Martin
defeated Mr.. Geist at golf. The cler-
ical critic may set his mind at ease.
The essence of gambling lies in the
element of chance This element Is
absent in any bet which has as one
of its factors the possibility of Doc
tor Martins winning a game of golf
from any one The fair fame of the
University is in no danger
Tpt bfu prira ~ nrat,o RIM
for the big game, which is to come off in
the early fall at the links of the Seaview
Golf Club near Atlantic City, Doctor Mar
tin stopped long enough to deliver some
verbal hot-shot at his learned confrere
and golf enthusiast, Doctor White, Cast
ing his eye to heaven and leveling his
tones carefully so as to use the full meas
ure of his satire, Doctor Martin gave vent
to the following:
"It is a matter of surprise that golf
should be regarded even as a game by
one (naming no names, but really DIR.
]. william White) whose years Of turf
tearing, wind-fanning ball-denting, VOcif-
erously matchmaking, futile violence
with golf clubs finally induced an all too
patient Greens Committee to take meas
ures equally directed toward the protec-
tion of fairways and of the outraged ears
of the playing members.
ITO those who know DR.. j. William
Whites unrepented past, II Is source
OF dazed wonderment that he should have
read any cergymanic communication in.
a spirit of bitter resentment Consider
ing its source, the truth percentage of his
statement regarding the inadequacy of
my own game is amazingly high"
Despite the assertions which have been
cast upon the game of golf that Doctor
Martin is likely to play, that gentleman
refuses to permit his critics to dissuade
him from the ultimate perfection of his
skill at the same. Daily he practices in
doors, batting his specially prepared cot
ton balls around the corridors and rooms
of his home at 1906 Locust street,
Between the hours of l and 2 in the
morning, however" he said seriously, II
find that my genius for golf burns more
brightly I arise at this time in order to
get the best results"
"I hear that Mr.. Geist is practicing as
assiduously as l am, but you must re-
member that he prefers the outdoor game
and l tho indoor 1t has been raining
copiously of late, I have great hope of
winning the wager"
If the eminent surgeon doesn't win,
however, he will have to buy ten shares
of the Seaview's stock, at SlOO per share.
But this Is an event he refuses to talk
about.