The Washington herald., 1917-04-20
TENNIS PLAYERS FAVOR
PLAYING OF SCHEDULES
Racket Artists Encouraged to Respond
to Call Of Congress.
BY FRANK II. YOUNG.


''ro be or not to be; That is the aues-
tion." When "Bnl" Shakespeare wrote
the above, he was not referring to tennis
but that question ts what Is now worry
ing tennis enthusiasts throughout the
country on account OF the war. The
annual meeting Of the United States
Lawn Tennis Association voted to place
in the hands OF the executive committee
the power to cancel the whole 1871
schedule. II. in its discretion, this action
seemed. wise. President George T. Adee
has written to the War Department ask
ing its advice and ideas on cancelling
the schedule and last Tuesday sent Ward
Burton. a member Of the executive COM
mittee, here to see officials of the War
Department with regards to the matter
He has made his report and IT Is ex-
pected that the question will be definitely
settled either today or tomorrow.
A. Y. Deech, jr., chairman Of the
tennis committee Of the Columbia
Country Club, was in New York last
week and talked to Mr.. Adee on the
subject. The latter has interviewed q
number OF army officers and all of them
are In favor OF continuing and encourag-
ing athletics during this summer, their
idea being to keep the men in good
physical condition According to Mr..
Leech. Mr.. Adee believes that the
schedule should be continued. but that
there should be no prizes given; no legs
won on challenge cups; no nationaI
championships held, but in their place
patriotic tournaments. the net receipts
from which are to be turned over to the
American Red Cross. He believes that
clubs should not try to get players from
other districts to enter their events but
that every effort should be made to get
as large a field as possible from their
own district. the idea being TO give as
many men as possible in each locality
an Incentive to play tennis and keep in
the best physical condition.
Mr.. Adee also urges that there be no
ranking list made up for 1917 and that
tennis players be encouraged to respond
to the call Of Congress in raising an
army. and that they give up luxuries and
lead the simple life" These ideas have
been indorsed by Mr.. Leech. S. W. Merri-
hew, editor Of American Lawn Tennis.
and other authorities and It would not
be at all surprising il they were not de-
clded upon by the national body.
Although President Adee does not think
that there is the slightest chance Of
there being any ranking made this year,
at the same time, to carry out instruc-
tons of the executive committee, as
President of the association 1t Is neces-
sary that a ranking committee be ap-
pointed and Washington has been signal
ly honored by the selection OF Mr.. Leech
as a member of this important commit
tee. Others who have been invited to
serve with Mr.. Deech are George Wight
man. as chairman: Abraham Bassford. OF
New York. as secretary; Paul w, Glib
bons, of Philadelphia, and w. T. Hays,
OF Chicago.
1t is understood that the Columbia
Country Club is not in favor of holding
tennis tournaments and for some time
Streams DER US from above.
Middle Atlantic championships scheduled
to be played on its courts beginning April
p. but. IL the National Association de-
cides to continue the schedule through
out the year. Columbia is honor bound to
go on with the event, which carries with
it the sectional doubles, no matter what
its personal opinions are. AS stated
above. President Adee expects to bring
the matter to a head within the next day
or so and the suspense in which players
all over the. country now find Themselves
will be ended.