New-York tribune., 1920-01-28
New Fo0tfault
Rule Prevents
Running Start
Revision Made to Overcome
Objections: Favor Stand
ardized Set of Regulations
By Fred Hawthorne

Robert u. Wrenn, former president ana
national champion. protesting against
lawn tennis. as outlined by the rules
committee, headed by S. Wallis Merri-
hew, chairman.
This morning. just to keep the
ledger straight. I submit the reply Of
the rules committee to the aforesaid
criticisms. While space does not
permit the printing of Mr. Merrihew's
remarks in full, the gist of his state
ment is embraced in the extracts that
follow:
an considering the report of the
in mind is that this committee, in pro-
posing revisions to the presnt rules, is
carrying out the definite instructions
of the National Association, as ex-
pressed at its last annual meeting"
After explaining that the committee
had been especially selected because of
its intimate knowledge of tennis. the
chairman goes on to say that three
months were spent in going over the
rules, and the report has been gener-
ally approved except in three particu-
lars, namely-the foot-fault rule, the
new scoring system and the handicap
ping system.
To Prevent Running Start
Mr. Merrihew then said:
"The only objection to the new foot
fault rule was that in its proposed form
1t might permit man to serve on the
run. Players of the experience Of
Beals Wright and Dick Williams think
this is doubtful advantage, even in
the remote contingency that a man
might make use of it. To meet every
possible objection, however, revision
of its proposal has been made by the
;ol,
vent such running start. The text of
the rule as now agreed upon by the
committee, is
1.-The server shall, Immediately be-
fore commencing to serve, stand with
both feet at rest behind the base
line and within the limits of the
center mark and the side line Both
feet shall be kept behind the base
line until the racket strikes the BALL
"Suck objection as had been raised to
the suggested changes has been based
largely on the argument that the
United States ought not to alter the
rules of the game except in conjunction
with the other tennis playing nations.
In this belief the committee agrees
with the president, George 7. Adee
and former president, Robert D. Wrenn
1t would be fine thing to have the
rules uniform throughout the world.
There can be no debate on that point.
The chairman declares that the pres
ent rules are not uniform. the United
States foot-fault rule being different
than that of other countries, and the
size and weight of the balls varying
from the standard abroad. The task
of changing the rules simultaneously
all over the world is almost insur-
mountable, but the committee has sent
copies of its report to all the tennis
bodies abroad, with q request for
sugge stions.
Federation to Make Rules
After drawing attention to the fact
that some of the other nations arc pre-
pairing changes in their own rules, Mr..
Merrihew states that the English asso-
citation has authorized the International
Federation to make the rules for the
game, which makes it possible that the
United States may find itself playing
international matches under rules that
1t mad no voice in making.
Everywhere" continues Merrihew
lit seems reasonable to this committed
that the United States may rightfully
exercise its prerogative in making its
own rules to suit itself That is not
to say however, that it will ignore sug-
gestlons from abroad. In fact, these
would be most welcome"
point here is not we'll taken. The very
fact that England has submitted a re-
drafting of the present rules to the
International Federation indicates that
the other nations have already taken
the first step toward worldwide
standardization Of the rules. Is the
United States to be left out of such
an undertaking? Are we to regard the
other tennls-playing nations as "ou,
associates IN the tennis "leapue of
nations"?
The chairman closes his case with
these remarks:
AS to the new methods of scoring
and handlcapping the committee rec
ognlzes first of all, that these are de-
batable. SO far as its recommendations
on these matters are concerned. if
takes the position that it was told to
90 certain things, and it has carrie d
out It's instructions to the best of its
aolll'y' In Its Judgment, the suggested
systems of scoring and handicappinp
are simple, sensible and fair. Il has
undertaken to set up a method of scor-
ing which is logical and reasonable and
IN accord with the usual procedure
in other lines OF sport.
Traditions Not Always Right
Because change discards tradition
does not necessarily prove that the
tradition is right. If tradition we're tc
be followed blindly we would still he
batting the ball over mound of earth
IN the middle of the court, instead OF
using a net, for that was how they
played the game in the old davs.
Scoring on the suggested consecu-
tlve point basis involves no knowledge
of archaic terms and becomes a simpl,
matter Of one, two, three. while the
designation of in and out for N,
server and receiver permits of no mis-
understanding
THE new scheme Of handicaps is Of
fered in the belief that this branch O.
the game will never be understood i,
the United States until it is reduced t,
PLAIN, common-sense basis. The pres
ent involved system, which awards suc}
odds as Il of Is, is so difficult that n,
one player in hundred comprehend
IT,. With system in force that is s,
diff Of application that it is no
used, handicap tennis hardly exists !,
this country.
The success attained by handican
IN other lines of sport is the only indi
cation needed to show how popula
such events might be in tennis. Tn
committee thinks it is better to have
workable system. even though il do