New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-30
By FRED HAWTHORNE.

William NJ. Johnston. national sin
ses champion. and Clarence j. Griffin,
Ms partner in the holding of the ma
,ional doubles lawn tennis title, re-
,.ined their championship on the ex-
sibition court of the West Side Tennis
Club, at Forest Hills, yesterday by
Debating Maurice f. Mclaughlin and
Ward Dawson. challengers, three sets
70 one, e., 6-3, 81, 6-3.
All four men are Californians. hence
there was no sectional feeling dis
played among the 5000 spectators who
crowded the big stands, but vast ma
icrity Of those who watched the native
IONS battle to finish were animated
bv one hope-that Mclaughlin and his
7oung PARTNER would triumph.
Il was not 10 be. Johnston, rushing
into forecourt with all his old speed
Of foot. beat back assault after assault
upon the part of the challengers, nm
shing his points with wonderfully
sharp vollcys, sometimes squarely be-
tween the celebrated Comet and Daw-
lon, sometimes deity down the alleys.
GrifFin's Play Invincible.
Griffin, softer of stroke, but with an
even ksener eye for the smallest of
openings. never shaken even in the
hottest volleying and driving duels,
backed up his partner in inylnclble
mqnnss. Perfection of team work. rare
Anticipation as to the next point Of
stack upon the part Of those who
nught to deprive them OF their title,
moved a combination too powerful for
NcLouyhlin and Dawson TO overcome.
and they went down fighting bravely to
the end.
Thus Johnston had retained one of
his national titles and Mclaughlin
failed TO capture one of those he for
jmerly held. For the rest Of this week
the Comet will endeavor TO regain the
singles crown, now held by Johnston,
and the hearts of thousands will be
with him in his quest.
The play in the singles went forward
without a hitch, sixty matches beng
wiped off the slate, and in almost every
case the favorites came through as
hey were expected 70 do. The feature
match in this division occurred when
Karl Behr, Davis Cup veteran and
fourth in the ranking list. defeated
Conrad B. Doyle, of Washington, re-
cent cUnqaeror of George NJ. Church.
Doyle, playing his chop strokes with
beautiful precision, took the first two
sets from Behr and looked TO be on
the high road 20 victory before the
iempestuous internationalist took hold
Of himself and literally bombarded his
way 10 triumph, winning at 2-6, IS,
80, Cd, Ga. IL was a narrow
squeeze for Karl.
Willis Z. Davis, national clay court
champion, played in impressive manner
IN defeating Joseph J. Armstrong, OF
Philadelphia. at IS, ca, 1-6, 6-1.
The Californian whipped his terrific
service into Armstrong; court with
deadly results, and the best the latter
could do was to send back weak de-
iensive returns.
Too Speedy for Armstrong.
Davis nullifed much of the effect OF
Armstrong; severely cut strokes by
bis wonderful speed in reaching the
net, particularly in following IN his
own service 10 the net. Once there,
he clay court champions great reach
and his ability to bring of kills TO
any part Of the court spelled doom Tor
4 armstrong.
Richard Norris Williams, I'd, former
1 national champion, had a runaway
match with Jerry Weber, of Chicago,
ysnquishing the youngster at 6.i,
! 81, 6-1. Williams came out with
! bis injured right ankle stifily bound
4 and with a brace, but once on the
court he showed much of his usual
speed, and is apparently pretty near
ne top Of his game.
l William J. Clothier, Of Philade lphia,
eliminated Hachishiro Mikami, Of Jap