The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-12-07

Forty Ave years ago nine Of the
most noted billiard players in the
world competed in a tournament at
straight rail In Tammany hall. this
city. and among the competitors was
George Slosson, VIII orecently engag-
cd In another tourney In which he
met the best hak line performers of
the present period.
Slosson now is SIS years OF age. and
was but 20 when he chalked his cue
in the Tammauy hall tourney.
Maurice DAILY, who also tried for
the honors In that famous struggle
of November to -, 1874 tstiii Is
I'm the flesh and active in the pro-
motion of billiards. but all the others
have passed along.
The winner or the 1877 stourna-
ment was Maurice vignaux, the great
French expert while Albert GARNER
and Maurice Daily tied for second
prize. Joe Dion won fourth prize.
A. r. Rodoiphe took nth. while
Francois Ubassy and George Slos~
son tied for sixth. Cyrille Dion and
A Daniels failed to get into the mo-
ney.
The details of this pioneer tourria-
mont at the three hall game, which
are contained in a musty couy of the
Clipper of November -, 1874, viii
be peculiarly interesting to modern
billiard enthusiasts. The critic who
reviewed the games for the Clipper
sa Id.
Dispute Over Prizes.
The regular games of the tourna
ruent AT Tammeny hall were brought
to close on Friday night. Nov. u.
hut were decisive as to tho first and
fourth prizes only. Albert GARNER.
who stands tied with Maurice Daily
for second and third prizes, Is award
cd gold watch for the best general
average. while Joseph Dion. who
wins fourth prize, receives a gold
watch for his highest run. $50. 1t
seems that ViEnaux's winning the
first prize debars him from any
award for having made the best run
Of the tournament. viz. faa. Thst
GARNER and ]. Dion. both receipt
ents of main prizes. should be eligi~
BILE to supplementary prizes for sub
sidiarv performances. seems neither
clear nor fair
THE prohibition as to secondary
prizes should have operated against
all The winners of prizes or against
none. Certainly it should not have
operated against the chief winner
alone. whose browning run should
have been honored if any run at all
was to receive special acknowiedc
ment.
Tho main result of this tourney is
an Endorsement of the Clippers posi-
tinn OF the championship question.
We have all along maintained tina
GARNER has been simply champion
of America. and that it was both IL
logical and unfair to dub hin, cham
pion OF the world at a game which
is the hereditary property of an
other country. The victory of Wig
naux. a French player who has
scarcely beer six weeks in this coun-
try. and which victory is due not
merely to his having beaten Slos-
son. Daniels. DAILY. both Dions anil
Ubassy. but mainly to his conquest
there has never been any champion
OF the world at any game save the
American or four ball. at...
Two Champions.
las another result Of this tourna-
ment there are now two champions
of America--the player who was that
champion before this tournament
began and the player who becomes
nominaliy champion Of America by
virtue Of the Inscription on the gold
badge he has Just received.
There will continue to be two
champions. GARNER being the repre-
sentative Of one regime and Vignauy
At another: for It is not likely that
the two will ever come together unS
less some third Uerson shall dethrcno