New-York tribune., 1917-12-09
Pre-War Conditions to
Govern 1918 Tennis

resolutions inclosed and to answer
your letter for him.
"The value of participation IN
wholesome athletics as factor IN
promoting physical fitness and mental
alertness cannot be overestimated.
"The plan of reestablishing cham
pionship tournaments and rankings as
a means of stimulating general IN
terest in tennis is desirable.
"Your suggestion that the net pro
ceeds be turned over to the War De-
partment Commission on Training
Camp Activities for use in providing
athletic facilities for soldiers in
training camps is hereby approved.
RAYMOND B. FOSDICK,
Chairman"
Interesting items relative to the &C
tivities of next season came up for
treatment, and to judge by the way
in which they were disposed of, knotty
points, discussions and entanglements
will get little or no heed until the war
is over. No changes in the amateur
rule were recommended by the COM
mittee in charge of that ticklish de-
partment. The committee on the boys
and Junior championships reported that
the tournaments Of 1917 bore such good
fruit that they are TO be continued
during 1918 with all possible vigor The
playing OF the youngsters was SAID TO
be working wonders toward the popu-
larizing of the game, and special efforts
are to be made among the clubs to see
that the young element is encouraged.
Now Doing Their Bit"
One of the longest reports presented
was the one by j. S. Myrick, detail
ing the campaign of the association to
finance and man an ambulance sec
tion. According to the report, the sum
of $4,000 was available, and all diff
fculties in the way of presenting am
balances to the government have been
eliminated. The first section OF forty
five men has been enlisted, and orders
for the second are expected any mo-
ment. In connection with this fund,
the original plan was TO name an am
bulance after every club that contrl-
buted the sum Of $1,000.
At first IL was found hard 70 for
mulate a plan whereby the ambulances
named, with men from their particular
sections, should reach the battleships
together, but recently the solution was
worked out by Colonel f. +. Persons,
commander of the United States am
bulance camp at Allentown. Penn;
Lieutenant James Boyd, of the New
York Chapter of the Red Cross, and
]. 6. Myvrick. The executive commit.
tee approved the recommendation OF
the ambulance committee that 5000 be
appropriated to the recreation build
ing at the Allentown camp; $4,000 to
the purchase OF trench coats and boots
for enlisted men. and a sum not 70
exceed $4,000 to the section fund. Res
olutions of appreciation were adopted
on behalf Of the players and clubs
that made the undertaking a success:
Frederick B. Alexander, who managed
the Western tour for the benefit OF
the fund, told some funny experiences
Of his trip through the country.
The report of the auditor showed
that the sum netted from the national
patriotic singles tournament at For
est Hills amounted TO s4.S31.25.
There were two designations from the
executive committee. One was Palmer
Z. Presbrey, who has for many years
been identified with the national body,
and the other was Edwin Sheafe, Of
Boston. Joseph Jennings, Of Philadel-
phia, was elected 20 succeed Sheafe.
Craig Biddle, of Philadelphia. an
nouneed that the meeting probably
would be his last, as he leaves on
Wednesday for San Antonio, Tex, TO
ioin the Ground Aviation School.
Minor changes in the constitution
were suggested by Myrick, in which the
ox-Presidents should be eligible for re-
election 10 the executive committee.
s. w. Merrihew offered suggestions for
improving the playing rules, and they
were recommended TO the considera-
ton Of the annual convention.