Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-24
TILDEN VICTIM
OF GOTHAM YARN
New Workers Trying to
Make Local Star Appear
as a Professional
HAVE THE WRONG DOPE
By ROBERT T. PAUL

once again the petty jealousy which
exists between New York and this city
has cropped up. For years the natives
of the called Big Town" have had an
i'll feeling toward the athletic stars of
this city. In their belief no one who
claimed this city as his home could
ever become a topnotcher. This high
rank was only for New Workers.. As
soon as a local star became recognized
throughout the country the Gothamites
would endeavor to discredit the Phila-
delphian's ability.
This time Bill Tilden, one Of the
greatest tennis players of the country
at the present time and incidentally a
Philadelphian, has been made the butt
of the New Workers. A report, which
is sure to- be reprinted by the leading
newspapers throughout the entire coun-
try. has originated in New York that
Tilden is soon to be declared a pro-
fessional and barred from amateur
ranks
Wrong From the Start
Yesterday it was announced that the
executive committee Of the National
Lawn Tennis Association would enforce
strictly all of it's rules, many of which
lay dormant during the period of the
war. Among other things 1t was made
clear that the executive committee would
not allow its members to be employed
in the sporting goods department of any
store or manufacturing firm. On this
subject it reaffirmed the resolutions of
1917. to enforce the provisions of the
amateur rule.
The report then went on to say how
this action was taken, following the
ctlt mt l,at eta CT In
Guiding Bill Tilden and Vincent Rich
ards, has taken positions in the tennis
departments of big department stores.
Also a strict Interpretation of the anna
teur rule, it was said, would bar Tilden
and Richards or else they would have
to give up their present positions
OF course, this made a great story
from a news standpoint. Tilden was
'unner-up to r. Lindey Murray in the
fnals last year and was ranked with
Murray as No. 1, while Richards. at six
teen years of age, Is considered better
his age than Mclaughlin or Dick Will
liams were. He is a coming champion
nd a pupil of Tilden's.
Richards Not Employed
The only thing wrong with the story
Is that neither Bill Tilden nor Vincent
Richards Is employed in the sporting
goods department of the John Wanna
maker store. In fact, Richards is not in
the employ of the Wanamaker store.
Tilden works at Wanamaker's, but he
is on the management payroll and not
the sporting goods departments
1t is part of his duty to be in the
sporting goods department at various
times during the day. But he does little
selling especially of tennis articles. The
writer has been with Tilden in the sports
department several times but not once
has he seen Tilden sell anything con-
nected with tennis. AS for Richards. 1t
IS said that he soon will take a posi-
ton with the Wanamaker firm. but 1t
will not be in the sporting goods de-
partment under Tilden. as New Yorkers
say He will be in the contracting de-
partment, If anywhere.
Why Not Gotham Stars?
Prejudice is shown in the fact that
while many New York stars. including
Fred Alexander, are employed by sport
ing goods firms, no mention is made Of
their amateur status. Tilden, Phila-
delphian. is the one to get the worst OF
It, Richards is brought into the ques-
tiOn because he is leaving New YORK 10
come over to this city. He expects to
enter Germantown Academy next fall.
| Local tennis followers are aroused by
| the New York report and intend to do
| all in their power to see that Tilden is
not made the joke of New York yarn
1t was expected that the executive COM
mittee would bring up the amateur rul-
ing, but drawing Tiiden, and Richards
Mt n fhln1prhn1t from a
clear sky.