New Britain herald., 1916-12-07


 cluding the male and the female of the species, close upon two million people playing golf or tennis.
 These two games have been recruit ing entries fast in the last few years that vast armies have now grown Up armed with the niblick or the racquet. And the end isn't yet in sight, or even approaching the same. Naturally enough, with so many people at play, golf and tennis have grown into industries where millions upon tens of millions are spent each year.
 Which brings us, in full blast, upon the most intricate, the most involved, the most complicated problem that ever came upon a sport-and that Is the amateur question as applied to golf and tennis.
 The Tanglc Incarnate.
 This amateur question will be one of the big features of the winter cam paign, with the two armies, holding opposite beliefs, facing each other for the battle ahead.
 The tangle at present IS terrific. And before 1t can ever be strengthened out two things must develop:
  who are leading the movement for cleaner amateurism must recognize the fact that there is quite bit of logic on the other side
 2. Those fighting any advance must realize that the tennis and golf com mittees, in a thankless task, are doing their best to handle the most compli- cated sporting problem of the day for what they believe is the good of the game
 Selling Supplies.
 There is no debate about the status of the man who plays or teaches for money. This method is direct, and is therefore professionalizing bey ond any argument.
 The whole .uproar is over the mat ter of selling golf or tennis supplies. Tennis and golf committees believe such salesmen should be barred from amateur competitions.
 The ruling committees believe such salesmen in many cases, are commer- cializing their golf skill.
 We don't know how the majority of tennis players feel about this rule. But 90 per cent. of the golf players we have talked to are against barring those who are employees of golf supply , houses. It is on very rare occasions , that one finds a golfer in sympathy with the present regulation that among others, has barred Francis Ouimet Those with whom we have talked who are against the present stand include Reggie Lewis, K. l.. Ames, Henry Topping, Hamilton Kerr. Gardner White Chick Evans and a long list of others of equal promi- nence They fail to see where the selling and the playing ends of the game have anything in common. Their contention is this: Ouimet's golf reputation would undoubtedly help him as a golf supply salesman. But so would Evans golf reputation reputation of another would help in insurance sales.
 Back and Forth
 Each side, if you listen to the lead ing opponents, has a pretty good case. !. There are merits in each argument and each argument has it's share of flaws.
 If rules and regulations are passed that are without the support and sym pathy of a majority of players, they
 
 A law that isn't backed by public approval is too easily broken.
 The two committees should try to find out as far as possible what the leading players and the leading clubs favor in the way of future regua- tiOn
 The trouble so far is that too few clubs and players have made any at tempt to consider the matted seriously or to cooperate with the commit'Aas The majority can generally get what 1t wants if it goes about the matter in the right way
 Tough Situation.
 The present situation for the two committees is difficult beyond all imagining.
 When you have close upon 2,OO0,OOO players scattered over 5000, ,OO0 square miles, the vastness of the job can at least be dimly understood.
 It is no job that we would envy It is an assignment beyond any com mittee unless 1t receives the aid and cooperation of all interested in the welfare of the game The golf meeting is now only a few weeks further on. The only way to get tp this question is for the lead ing golf clubs of the association active and allied members, to take a popular vote and express their wishes and beliefs at the next annual meeting. Unless they do, they can hardly complain against any action taken.
 Indirect Benefits.
 There is no possible way to prevent the indirect financial benefits of sport ing success. The advertising that leading golfer or tennis player receives is pretty sure to help him, one way or another, whether he sells sporting supplies ir1S1 And tl,i