The Washington herald., 1915-08-08
TENNIS.

Without taking the trouble to do caves
dropping it is possible to hear all sorts Of
complaints as to the slipshod way in
which tennis tournaments have been con-
Quoted this season. There is a day CT
reckoning coming. for Robert D. Wrenn
remarked that he regarded the situation
as so important and complex as to re-
quire careful consideration by the ex-
eCutive committee of the United States
National Lawn Tennis Association at its
next meeting.
1t is more than likely that definite rules
will be framed as to the entry of players
into tournaments the infiiction of de-
faults where competitors fail to appear
on time for matches, and as to what
clubs may expect where the ordinary
ethics of sport are treated with contempt
The thing that is causing the ire of Ma
tiOnal officials to rise is the fact that the
slovenly management of the tournament
with great lists of defaults. hurts the
fair name of the game rather than the
individual club where the offenses may
be committed.
Miss Margaret Taylor. a member OF the
West Side Tennis Club. indicated that
there is considerable carelessness con-
neCted with the playing of the women's
national championship tournament at
Philadelphia. She related the misfor-
tunes that befell her and which were
carried off practically without apology
or explanation. Her entry was officially
acknowledged. BY some unexplained pro-
cess, however, her name was not drawn
and she was not permitted to compete.
Action of this sort is particularly inter-
esting at this time when the National As
ISOLATION is inaugurating a new method
for entering the national all-comers'
championship tournament which moves
to the West Side Tennis Club courts
from its old place at the Casino at New
port, R. l. 1t is the sort OF thing which
is apt to make some players anxious
until they see their names duly listed
along with the others who may strive
for the highest honors that the courts
of this country have to offer.
From the account which Miss Taylor
gave, during the playing of the women's
tournament on the Crescent Athletic
courts, of her experiences at Philadel-
phia she was the victim Of carelessness
that should be guarded against. Miss
Taylor at the suggestion of Mrs. Mar
shall Mclean. sent in her entry well in
advance. She requested an acknowledge
ment and cherishcs the letter as evil
dence that her name was properly re-
CelNeU- lNTOusn MIS- MCLedn an IN
vitation to compete in the Pennsylvania
State tournament at Marion came to
Miss Taylor, and she competed there the
week before the National. Upon her al
rival in Philadelphia friends told her
that her name as an entry had not APP
peared in the printed lists. A view Of
the board confirmed the fact that her
name was not among those entered. APP
peals did not bring forth any response
except that Miss Taylor was cody told
that her name was not among those In
the hands Of the committee. Strangely
enough. Miss Taylor says. invitations to
the various social functions extended
the players. and where the envelopes
and letters are written before the tour
nament begins, all included her name.
Edwin Sheaf. president Of the Longwood
Cricket Club Of Boston. tried to befrisnd
Miss Taylor in her embarrassing pre-
dicament He told her. however. that
nothing could be done 30 that she might
compete.
In one of the recently decided cham
pionship tournaments in the vicinity OF
New York the entry list was shuf1ed
over several times after the matches
bad actually begun