New-York tribune., 1918-12-15

Side Tennis Club courts, at Forest
II victory for Australasia, represe
fhony +. Wilding. The world war
petition since then, and the game ha
nation as result.
Naming 1920 as the date upon whichc
10 renew those historic struggles for
the Dwight T. Davis cup will afford
England. Australasia, France, Belgium
and Canada, the countries whose play
ing ranks have been hardest hit by the
war, mere than year in which to
prepare. Even so it is hard to see how
these countries can hope to compete
upon oqual terms with America, for
rot q single one OF our great stars OF
forrer years has been killed or wound
ed overseas, while we have developed
notable Group oe younger players in
,he last Two years.
Broohes and Wildins we're un-
doubtcdly two of the greatest players
who ever trod a court. 1t was their
unaidcd efforts that carried the Davis
Cup back to Australia, in competition
against the world, but since then the
great Widing has made the supreme
sacrifice in the war and Brookes, in
1917, beginning to show unmistakable
signs OF deterioration in his play. has
certainly passed forever out of inter
national competition, even if his e&-
reriences in the rigors of war have not
dgllsd his playing skill.
Have Lost Many Star Players
The drain upon Australia's man
power has been severe, and il is a
question whether she has been able to
considerable extent. The same thing
is true OF England and Canada. The
British Isles team os 1914 was COM
posed Of men who had already passed
their best days on the courts, and We
have not heard OF any new players OF
promise being developed in The interim.
France has probably been more handi-
capped along these lines than any Of
the other countries, and the unspeak-
sblc Germans, Of course, will not re-
ceive permission to compete for the
great trophy.
With the certainty that Captain
Richard Norris Williams. I'd, champion
OF 1916; William NJ. Johnston, title
holder in 1916; Maurice E. Mclaughlin
conquerer of mighty Wilding and the
wizard Brookes in 1914; Robert Lind
ley Murray, present national cham
pion; William T. ,Tilden, Cd, Funner-ur
TO Murray: Karl II. Behr internation-
alist and George Myers Church, No.
in 1916, among the older players, will
al be back in the game in 1920, il
seems that the United States viii pre-
sent an apparently unbeatable team
when the contests arc resumed. And
this IS not taking into account The
great strides that will undoubtedly be
made within the next year by youths
like Vincent Richards, Harold Taylor
Charles Garland, the Donaldson broth
erS and other youngsters who flashed
into prominence last season. 1t ma,
be that one or two Of these boys viii
find place on our challenging team
although this seems too much to eX
pect.
Resolution Is Adopted
The resolution adopted by the execu
tive committee on Friday. reads as fol
lows:
Whereas, The world war has ended
and
"Whereas. There has been no inter
national competition in tennis sine
1914, and
Whereas. The resumption OF sucl
contests will help cement internationa
friendships, now, therefore,
BE it resolved, That the annua
meeting of the U. S. N. L. It. A. EN-
power its executive committee to TAX
tahlish the Davis Cup contests, tn
nest one to be held in 1890
Bet it further resolved, That the cx
ecutive committee be hereby empow
cred TO defray the expenses of sucl
competition from the treasury of tn
L. 5. n. L. T. A."
This resolution will be presented t
the association at the annual meetin
IN February, and undoubtedly adopted
and preparations will at once begi
to develop teams for the contests. Th
champion nation must be notified no
iater than the first Monday in Marc
of the year in which the contest is t
be held, of the desire of challengin
nations to compete, SO the action O
the U. S. N. l.. T. A. on Friday is no
premature.
To Eliminate Costly Prizes
In order to lessen the financial strai
on clubs that have been hard press
during the war, another resolution pu
forth at Fridays meeting offers a
clubs the option of awarding certif
Gates or standardized medals author
lzed by the association, instead of nor
costly prizes during 1919.
In connection with the nation,
championships for 1919, Paul B. Wi
Jams, the field secretary, said yesterda
that every effort will be made to MAX
these events the most noteworthy
size and quality since 1914.
Secretary Edwin Fuller Torrey reg
a letter from Clinton Z. Childs, {
Pittsburgh, chairman of the committe
on equalization of voting power, sayin
the committee had been unable to agre
on definite recommendations, but hope
10 have a. plan outlined for consider;
tion at the next meeting.
The report of the ranking committe
was adopted without discussion, but tt
ranking of the players will not be mac
public until next Sunday. The Office
OF the association were authorized I
change the rules governing junior boy
and girls tournaments and TO provit
FOR national doubles championships
each class. This was made rutroactiN
20 recognize Vincent Richards and Ha
old Taylor as national Junior double
champions of 1913.
Win Eleven STRAIGHT