New-York tribune., 1918-03-17
Julian S. Myrick and Waite:
Camp Cooperate to I'M
prove General Fitness
By Fred Hawthorne

The game of lawn tennis, which al
ready has offered as a sacrifice on the
altar of war the great Australasian,
Tony Wilding, and scores of other
world famous players among the Brit
ish and French knights Of the court.
continues to take a conspicuous place
supplying men for the fighting line in
the battle Of world against German
ism.
Our own Dick Williams, "Peck"
Griffin, George Church, Billy Johnston,
Maurice Mclaughlin, Dean Mathey and
Watson M. Washburn. to mention only
few of the more prominent American
players who are now either in France
or awaiting the call that will take them
overseas, are prepared TO make the su-
preme sacrifice, that liberty may not
perish in the world
But the United States National Lawn
Tennis Association, the parent BODY in
this country, is planning to enlarge its
surface for the common cause, and with
this purpose in mind has issued a cali
to every player in the land, from tie
Atlantic to the Pacific, no matter what
his degree of skill on the courts, to
get out during the coming season and
"play the game"
Julian S. Myrick, vice president of
the national association, voiced the
spirit of the hour among tennis play-
ers last week when he said: "Upon
every man rests the obligation to keen
himself physically fit War drains the
nations resources. None of us can
tell what new duties the future may
impose upon him. Therefore each and
every one Of us must make himself
ready. Such preparation is patriotic
and sensible; the more thoroughlv it
IS done the better for the future Of our
country"
Mayors Cooperation Asked
In order to obtain the fullest meas
urc Of success for this plan Mr.. Myrick
has Joined forces with Walter Caanp,
of the National Security League, to
stimulate interest in physical fitness
throughout the country. Mr.. Camps
committee has written to thousands
Of mayors asking their cooperation in
appointing local committees to conduct
this work
1t will be the particular province of
the tennis association, under The di-
rection of Mr.. Myrick, to devclop in
terest in lawn tennis and to so
broaden its influence as to bring out
a thousand players where a hundred
played before. The action Of the
U. S. n. l.. T. A., at its last meeting.
in restoring all the championship tour
naments for 1918, will dc much to
arouse the competitive spirit, but the
association also plans to elaborate cx-
tcnsivcly in the promotion of boys and
junior tournaments. Even the juniors
among the girls will have their oppor-
tunity this year to indulge in tourna-
ment play all over the country.
At conference recently held be-
tween s. Stanwood Menken, president
Of the National Security League. Mr..
Camp and Mr.. Myrick, details of the
nationwide plan were perfected, and
Mr.. Myrick and Edwin Fuller Torrey,
secretary of the tennis association.
were appointed on the general commit
tee. headed by MIR. Camp. These men
viii inauguratc hundreds of tourna-
ments for players of all classes from
coast to coast. as part Of the plan to
put the nation in condition of physi-
cal fitness. Lawn tenns will provide
the ideal exercise for tho average man
not requiring the same amount Of
physical cxertion as some other forms