The New York herald., 1920-01-27

TENNIS PRESIDENT
WOULD STAND PAT
George Adee Sees No Reason
to Change Rules of
Scoring.
BOB" WRENN COMEDIES
Present and Former Executives Think
Move to Change Is. I'm
necessary.
BOB" WRENN COMEDIES

Opposition TO changes in the playing
rules proposed for action at the annual
meeting of the United States National
Lawn Tennis Association is expressed by
George t. Adee. the associations presi-
dent. While he doubts the wisdom of some
of the changes themselves, his principal
objection is based upon his belief that such
changes should be made only after con-
sultation with the other tennis playing
countries of the world. The resumption Of
International tennis in 1890 with the pros.
pect of increased activity in coming sea.
sons emphasizes the desirab bilty of having
uniform playing rules. and. in Mr.. Adee's
Judgment. makes it extremely unwise for
the United States to make the changes
proposed now. t
In this belief he is supported by Robert
ID. Wrenn. former president OF the asso-
citation. Mr. Wrenn, besides pointing out
defects in the proposals, also recognizes
the Importance of uniform rules for inter-
national play. He thinks, it would be a.
grave error" to change the rules in the
United states without consulting the ten
mis- associations of other countries.
SO far as the rules are concerned the
principal objections relate to the new foot
conducting handicap events. The views
Of Mr.. Adee and Mr.. Wrenn are set forth
in letters to Paul 3. Williams. field secre-
tary OF the national association. Mr..
Adee's letter follows:-
~ ~ regret that due to my. absence in the West
e the Execntivc commttee Of the the IT, s' s. s y. T..
b,rA H. A. +b and regret that did not know before;
handcappng and in the foot fault rule we're to
al feel very strongly that thas.. .h.ngas yn IN.
rue could not be adopted:
system Of Scoring Gheb IS kno% snni
Understood the world oyer In the present system
score Of each game and the score. OF the games
eacR se 10 there Is I'M no POSSIBLE chance Of
scoring Of points aud of games is exactly the
To my mind it is a mistake to change the trail:
itas Hins o any game unless there is an absolutely
tn6 tsnnls ,5 and the position the game has aiken
no suea change is necessary.
Pencil and Paper Needed.
o., The proposed handeapping rule would chance
to tell 3 Until Il Se %0qaa a q
,.S; Is ever; a pencil and PAPER would probably be
player pn, r. o,s II each game and the winn.s, would
n fs'f IS red out q and Spa: IT:
hantdieaps added II the total points Of each
The proposed change in, the foot fault rule
e9 5s raass ss feet s .ss sa .s4s ts ssSa
develop into an added advantage to. the server.
some Years D past thers has bssn serious
to lessen the servers advantage. believe the
the f the
pOM % % sos
i spreading Wide aud Intimate knowlecse q
a corps Of trained officials
q. Finally x my ppinie1 l. Is great m m:taks ;.
ing rules unless similar change is made by the
pRa. sR pyns 1d P the ts ss%e time 5n
world over and today today there Is q movement on
the rules Uniform throughout the world and to
create a means for amending the rules So that
alone make this change we set an example: we
establish president; We open the door wide to
tlons many of which might be very disadvan-
s b ie heea m
Ing international competition, which has been.
game oi lawn tennis aud placing It upon an nds-
structible foundation.
these changes, and do believe we make mis-
take in reversing our policy OF years standing ~
ing rules Of the rest of the world.
Mr.. Wrenn Against Charges Too.
Mr.. Wrenn's letter follows:-"President
George T. Adee has voiced a strong pro-
test against three important proposed
changes in the playing rules or laws of
lawn tennis, ana WISH 10 go on record as
heartily supporting him.
These c--angcs, which affect ID the
foot fault rule (2) the method of scoring
and 60 handicapping. are of a. drastic ma
ture. There is grave doubt in my mind
as TO the advantage to be gained from
any of the changes. One in particular
(Which provides that i'm handicap events
each set is to be decided by points. ire
spective of games may be reduced to an
absolute absurdity.
For example. a competitor "A IN a
handicap event, allows his opponent. B.
twelve points per set. In the deciding set.
A. starting badly loses the first four
games without inning point. This auto
maticaily ends the match in BIS favor.
since no matter how brilliantly A re-
covers even should he win six straight
love games. he cannot make enough
points to overcome the lead OF B. In
other words. the match is over before the
set Is finished.
but entirely aside from any merit In
these proposals. it appears to me a grave
error to make such radical changes with
out full consultation with our allies. and
Davis Cup contestants. We arc Just re-
entering a period of international conf
petition which bids fair to far surpass I'm
interest anything that has gone before
Other nations have evinced a desire to
make playing rules uniform. Would II
not be particularly aggravating TO them
to note that we are taking an independent
step In adopting new playing rules, with
even asking for their cooperation and an
vice? BY making such changer We es-
tablish precedent which may easi-y
work work TO our embarrassment and dis
advantage in future international compe-
titions."
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