New-York tribune., 1918-01-27
Tennis Factions
Not So. Bitter
Over Election
Ticket Named by Committee
Serves to Bring Calm
Hoskins May Yet Run
By Fred Hawthorne

For the last week or ten days the
situation in the world of lawn tennis
has been remarkably peaceful, to out
side appearances, at least The bitter
feeling that threatened to develop over
the rival candidates Of those who felt
the presidential beo buzzing under
their hats has apparently simmered
down, following the action Of the NOM
mating committee in naming Major
Myrich for president and vice-presi-
dent, respectively, of the United States
National Lawn Tennis Association.
1t is certain that no stronger ticket
could be named by the body Of lawn
tennis players. The records Of both
men are distinguished by years Of con-
structive work and legislation. One
appears fully as we'll qualified to hold
down the Office of president as the
other, and it is particularly fortunate,
under the circumstances, that both
Major Adee and Mr.. Myrick know full
we'll the value of working together.
There Is not doubt but that they will
achieve great things for the associa-
tion and the game of which they are
such splendid representatives.
But while there are few who will dis
pute the statements we have set down
regarding the worth of these two men,
it is by no means certain that those
forces opposed to Mr.. Myrick have
made an unconditional surrender. On
the contrary, We harbor the suspicion
that Albert S. Hoskins still entertains
hopes Of being elected president or
ice-president, the latter an Office he
has held before.
No one will dispute Mr.. Hoskins's
right to run for any Office within the
gift of the association. That is privi-
lege open to any member of the asso-
citation, although we doubt the wisdom
of such move on Mr.. Hoskons's part
at this time. Yet indications are not
lacking that the Philadelphia is car
paign of his own. Whether he will
be successful remains to be seen.
The remainder of the ticket as
named by the nominating committee is
an excellent one. Edwin Fuller Torrey,
the present secretary, will run again
for that important office, and we can
not think of any one who is better
qualified to fill it than he. George w.
Wightman, treasurer, renominated, also
seems to be the right man in the right
place.
In the midst of war prepare for
peace. While lawn tennis has been at
almost complete standstill in every
country in the world except the United
half, those who have the welfare of
the great game at heart have not been
idle in framing legislation that will be
of notable value after war has cesed
its destructive sway.
We refer to the report of the COM
mittee on revision of rules of the u. S.
n. l.. T. A., made public last week in
the annual call sent out by Mr.. Torrey
for the thirty-seventh annual meeting
of the association The members of
this committee, Lieutenant Richard
Norris Williams I'd, national cham
pion; Beals G. Wright and S. w. Mer-
rihew, have wrought several drastic
changes in the wording of the American
rules, with the laudable purpose Of
makipg them conform with internation-
al in other words, English and Aus
ira liam rules.
Thus, at one sweep, the poss ibility of
vexng interpretations of the laws that
govern the game, is done away with
With a single all-embracing rule in
force in the principal countries where
the game tlourishes there can be no
chance for misunderstanding when the
Davis Cup matches are resumed. No
attempt has been made to alter the
present wording of the foot-fault rule,
nor will this be done until after the
war.
The real start of what should be
truly successful season on the courts
began yesterday on the Heights Casino
indoor surface in Brooklyn, with the
mixed doubles match between Miss
Molla Bjurstedt, national woman cham
pion, paired with Frederick b. Alexan-
der, famous internationalist, and
Miss Marie Wagner. national indoor
title holder, and Harry McNeal, the
Casino professional. On Saturday af-
ternoon, February 8, Alexander and
Harold Throckmorton, the amateurs,
will play against James Burns and Nc
Neal, the professionals and other
matches between leading exponents Of
the game will follow from week to
week.