Evening star., 1917-12-05
TITLES IN TENNIS
MAY Be RESTORED
National Association to Take
Up Matter at Meeting
in New York.

Restoration Of championships in tour
naments sanctioned by the United
States National Lawn Tennis Associa-
tion for 1918 Is one of the most i'm
portant matters to be considered by
the executive committee OF the nation
, al association at its meeting at the
Waldorf-Astoria. in New York. Friday.
Since the end of the playing season
there has been general discussion of
the conditions governing tournaments
next year. To crystallize sentiment
tentative suggestions have been made
by Julian S. Myrick. acting president.
These call attention to the fact that
when the association had to determine
its policy last spring there was uncer-
tainty as to the method the govern
ment would follow in raising armies.
Consequently provision had to be made
to avoid the possibility of tennis be-
coming more attractive than service to
the country in case the volunteer sys-
tenn prevailed. With that in mind
ehampisnshps ranking and prizes prizes
be induced to play tennis IL he might
otherwise be better engaged. Seeing
that the government adopted the selec-
tive draft. this consideration no longer
holds good.
Furthermore, the response to their
country's call by tennis players, who
have gone into the service by the hun
dred. shows clearly that there need be
no uneasfness as to possible conflict be-
tween sport and duty. The national
association last winter placed its or
ganization at the disposal of the gov
ernment and has been able to help
several undertakings under govern
ment auspices in addition to its cam
paign to finance and man ambulance
conclusion. Thus IT has taken a posi-
tion which cannot be misunderstood.
May Restore Titles.
In submitting the foregoing to mem
bers Of the executive committee Mr..
Myrick further points out that the ma
tional association has uniformly tried
to act in accordance with suggestions
from Washington. Thus far it has had
the approval Of administration officials.
| expressed or implied. for its polices.
and there is no disposition to change
this relation.
The proposal to restore champion
ships next season 10 in line with optn-
ions expressed by President Wilson
and Secretary OF War Baker in favor
prove the physical conditions of men
and women throughout the country.
In this connection particular empha-
sis Is placed on the associations cam
paiBn 10 stimulate tournaments TOT
juniors and boys. Such competition for
players under military age is believed
to have a very real value, particularly
because Of the fact that tennis devel-
ops an alert mentality and standards
Of sportsmanship which have their
place In military discipline. The physical
benefits. Of course. are obvious.
1t is pointed out. too. that the prop
| erty interest represented by clubs
should not be allowed to dwindle
| away. as may happen il club officials
| do not realize their responsibilities and
see to it that their clubs are safeguard
ed. Toward this end Of maintaining
membership tournaments are very
| helpful.
| With these considerations in mind II
believed that a resolution will be pre-
| sented to the executive COMMITTEES
| recommending to the annual meeting
| that next season tournaments be play.
| ed as they were before war was de.
clared. This implies a return to cham.
pionships and ranking of players, botf
men and women, who compete In
events sanctioned by the national asso.
| citation.
l