New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-21
Tennis Association
On Amateur Question

mitted IL will spell the ruin Of the
game by commercializing a mans rep
u.ation and playing ability.
We are firm believers in organiza-
ton. IL is certain that the U. 5. n. l..
r. 4. is we'll organized and able TO
exact the last ounce of power from
whatever forces it commands. That
may swing the balance at the annual
meeting, even though the opposing fac
ton has moro delegates under its ban
ners when the battle begins. The re-
suit of the last annual meeting of the
United States Golf Association at the
Hotel Astor, when the conservatives
OVERRIDE the insurgents" and enforced
a stricter amateur rule, is case IN
point. Early in the meeting IL looked
as though the supporters of Francis
Ouimet and the other debarred anna
teurs were going 10 prevail, but clever
handling of the situation enabled the
national body 20 come through with
victory.
We believe that the lawn tennis in
surgents will be better organized than
their golfng brethren at the Aston
but, in spite Of this, il seems to US that
the u. S. n. L. T. A. will have the
edge with just about enough
strength when the vote comes to pull
through.
May Reach Compromise
II may we'll be that, finding them
selves &adlocked, the opposing forces
will az We on a compromise amend
ment to the rule, such a one as X.
Norris Williams, I'd, and George
Wightman, of Boston, suggested last
week, whereby those who have already
entered the sporting goods business
will not be molested, while the bars
will be up against all who try to fol
low their example after the passage
Of the amendment. Such compromise
would allow both sides to recede grace
fully from their present positions. and
we believe that such a result is the
best the Pacific States faction can
expect.
In the event Of the "insurgents"
showing sufficient strength to win their
point and put through such an amateur
rule As they desire, it does not seem
TO us that the game Of lawn tennis will
benefit thereby. II must inevitably
lead 20 a lessening Of the amateur
spirit, with the leading sporting goods
houses outbidding one another to Sc
cure the leading stars of the courts.
Men playing under these conditions,
with few notable exceptions, may for
get all business "cares" from the be-
ginning TO the end of the season and
devote their entire time to the game.
During the winter months, true enough,
they may take their places behind the
counters or as the heads of depart
ments, where the glamour of their
achievements in the season just closed
90 h. IN Of tyQ
Has Great Advantage
Aside from this, the advantages the
sporting goods" player possesses over
his competitor who puts in long hours
in bank, in a brokerage house, or in
ono OF the professions, with little
chance to gain more than few days of
practice, arc incalculable. Is it fair?
We arc not taking into account the
wealthy leisure class, whose members
are not bothered by business cares.
But neither are these men actuated by
the commercial instinct in their play
ing of the game. They play it because
they like it.
Surprising that the national body
wins and puts through its proposed
amendment to the present rule regard
ing the sporting goods issue. That
will mean that no matter If player
possesses the fire and speed Of Nc
Loughlin, the fnesse of Williams, tho
splendid court generslship Of a John
ston, it will avail him no whit as
means Of turning these qualities into
money via the sporting goods business.
In other words, all incentive 10
commemorative his talents on the courts
will automatically disappear, and that
should be for the good of the game.