New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-07
Behr Congratulated on His
Victory in Well Fought
Fight.
MAHAN AND MYRICK
ALSO WELL PLEASED
Closeness of Vote on Venue OF
Blue Ribbon Fixture Tells
Tale of Battle.
By FRED HAWTHORNE.


Karl n. Behr, who has been the prin-
cipsl in a hundred or more thrilling
matches on the lawn tennis courts
heaved a sign of relief at the waldorf
Astoria Hotel on Friday night, when
the last delegate 10 the United States
National Lawn Tennis Association meet
ing had answered 70 his name and cast
his vote 70 decide whether New YORK or
Newport should hold the next national
championship tournament,
Behr, the impetuous. the dogged
fighter. upon whose shoulders mad been
thrown the chief burden OF bringing
the tournament 20 the courts OF me
West Side Tennis Club. a. Forest hills,
was happy in the knowledge that ne
had fought good fight and had won
Men from almost every state IN the
Union stepped up and shook his hand
in Acknowledgements OF the mastery
maner in which Behr had marshailea
his facts, had outlined his case, and
with true oratoricsl effect, had driven
home his arguments 10 the men VINO
had journeyed hundreds OF miles 70
render their decision in a matter mo,
mentous 70 the lawn tennis players OF
this country.
There were other and worthy So
sistants 20 Behr in this struggle 20
break down the traditions Of thirty
four years that hung over the classic
courts Of the Newport Casino. Lyle
f. Mahan. the former Columbia Unit
versity player, did stupencous
amount Of work in compiling facts ana
getting out the vote ami his work
was of the kind that must rest content
with being well done. Mahan kept m
the background: he was the power
behind the throne
Julian 8. Myrick, the president Of
the West Side Tennis Club, who IL
known as master OF detail: Raymond
d. Little, ". Merrill Hall. Holcombe
Ward and H. II. Hackett were others
who gave their able assistance 70 the
movement.
The closenes OF the vote 20 bring
the blue ribbon contest Of the courts
20 this city is indication enough that
Behr and his lieutensnts labored not
Whit more than was necessary FOR sue
cess As an instance Of the remark
able knowledge Behr possessed as 20
lust how strong was his own side IN
this matter. he told the writer be-
fore the delegates went in % cast their
NOleS lndl ne Hdu lNe pltustu NNN'f
Of 100 delegates. enough 10 insure the
West Side Tennis Club getting the
tournament
The final poll showed that Behr had
accounted for 1919 votes. The former
Yale player had the promise OF other
votes, but ne did not place his reliance
upon any except those who pledged
themselves.
Animoslty cropped out several times
during the heat OF argument on the
platform, and personalities were eX-
changed between the ardent adherents
of Newport and New York. bat when
all was over and the definite result had
been announced the warning factions
quickly got together, and the spirit Of
sportsmanship of the finest kind was
shown.
. Edwin Fuller Tory. the secretary OF
the national association, before the
+ last vote had been registered, jumped
4 from his chair and moved that the vote
in favor of New York be made unani-
nous. and this was done Immediately.
Yet a few minutes before TORY had
/ been one of the most energetic in
pleading for Newport.
Now that the West Side Tennis Club
! has been selected as the next holder
of the national tourney, there is much
still 10 be done before the officers OF
the club will be satisfied that the ar
engagements are adequate
According TO Mr. Myrick. the club
will add as soon "a practicable 20 tho
present facilities Of the clubhouse and
the accommodations for players. Being
only fifteen minutes from the heart OF
the city, the players in the tournament
will be able TO live in Manhattan dur
ing the time the tournament is being
played, and arrangements have already
been made 20 let every man who wishes
il have a room and bath for 81 day
At one OF the largest hotels in this
city.
The twenty-seven grass courts upon
which the tournament will be staged
will receive a careful grooming under
the direction Of William Tucker, the
turf expert. According 70 Myrick,
Tucker assured him that By the time
the West Side Tennis Club throws open
its courts for play next September the
turf will be equal 10 the best in the
country.