New-York tribune., 1920-01-18

Hills for the next five years.
Action looking toward such an as
signment of the tourney was taken by
the West Side Club at its annual meet
ing at Delmonico's on Friday night,
when the members voted almost solidly
to apply for the fixture this year. At
tho same time it was decided, II the
national association at the annual meet
ing on February votes to award the
tournament to the local club, to refer
the proposal to the board Of governors,
with full power to act. The West Side
Club indicated it's approval Of the
award for the five-year period.
Vote Against Rule Changes
Having come to an agreement on the
matter of the national championship
tournament, the club members then dis
cussed the attitude the club should as
sumo toward the proposed new scoring
and handicap system and the amended
foot fault rule. 1t was agreed to vote
against all these changes, as we'll as
allow q linesman to change his de-
cisicn.
The action Of the members Of the
Forest Hills club came as quite sur
prise to those who had not been in
touch with the prevailing sentiment
among the members, yet l believe
there was sound and logical reason for
the stand taken by the West Side Or
ganization. AS regards the new foot
ball rule, there was division OF
sentiment.
While majority Of the members
believed the new rule decided i'm
provement over the existing one, it
WAS decided to vote against it in it's
proposed form, on the ground that the
rule might permit the server to make
running start while serving
s. Wallis Merrihew, chairman Of the
rules committee, got to his feet and
made long and detailed explanation
and defense of the changes advocated
by his committee. He used up a lot
OF time and an unlimited amount Of
oratorical energy, but when he had
retired to the solitude of his chair.
tho members voted his proposals down.
Officers of Club Elected
The election Of officers went through
according to schedule, with the excep-
ton of the places on the board Of
governors, and here the younger ele-
ment showed its strength by securing
the election of Dean Mathey and Ced-
ric A. Major. These two,> together
with Julian S. Myrick and G.. A. L.
Dionne, will serve until January, 1922.
Mathey and Major were the representa-
tives of the younger members OF the
active players on the board.
Charles S. Landers, who has been
president of the West Side club for
the last two years, received unani-
nous reelection to that office, and in
thus honoring him the members paid
richly deserved compliment to Mr..
Landers, who has been one of the most
efficient executives in the history of
the great Forest Hills club. Mr.. Lam
to his presidential duties and under
his administration the club enjoyed its
most successful year in 1919.
The other officers elected were as
follows: Vice-president, Spencer Full
lerton Weaver; treasurer, Hugh c.
Cutler; secretary, William Alex Camp
bell, and Captain, Ralph L. Baggs.
Mr.. Guiler's report showed a surplus
of $4,000 in the treasury. One hun
dred and twelve new resident men
members were elected during 1919 and
the limit of these members was re-
duced from $50 to 600. There are now
about $50 on the clubs roster. The
constitution was amended to increase
the initiation fee to SIS for men.
Amendments Hold Disadvantages
In this column, some few days ago,
pointed out some of the disadvantage.
that would attend change in the
scoring system, quoting Harry McNeal
the professional at the Heights Casino
Of Brooklyn. The members of the Wes
Side Tennis Club were evidently in full
accord with this sentiment, for il
arguing against the proposed chang,
they declared there was no presen
need for changing the system unde
which tennis has been developed ant
10 now played all over the world
"Deuce," "love," $3.50" and sim
liar terms have gained dignity through
tradition, it was argued, and, besides
there was no urgent necessity for
change. Having disapproved of tn
! proposed scoring system, the member
naturally took the same attitude towar
the proposed handicapping system.
4 It was also decided that it would b
very unwise for the United States t
adopt such changes without first act
i ing in concert with the other tennis
playing, nations. In view of all thes
reasons. the clubs representative wa
Instructed to vote against the change
at the meeting of the national asss
citation next month.