The New York herald., 1921-12-26
SCHAEFER FAMILY
BILLIARDS PARALLEL
Father and Son Champions
Here; Roberts, Sr. and Jr.,
in England.
BY THOMAS j. GALLAGHER.

General circulation has been given to
an assertion that the present IS q balk-
line billiard champion, Jacob Schaefer
is the only son 81 former champion
who achieved the distinction of his
father That assertion is not correct.
The Schaefer development simply paral-
lels that OF the Roberts family in Eng
land. From 1s49 to 1870 John Roberts.
whom British writer's term "the father
OF modern billiards." was champion of
England. On February IL, 1870. w.
Cook defeated Roberts in championship
match by score OF 1900 to 1853.
When the usual championship quota.
1000 points, had been completed Rob-
erts led by one point. From 1876 to
1908 John Roberts. Jr.. dominated Eng
lish billiards. The elder Roberts died
in London March 81. 1898.
Ivcs's Greatest Achievement.
what was Frank c. Ives's greatest
achievement" was the subject Of dis
cussion at Maurice Daly's recently. An
swering 1t, Robert Kennedy emphati-
cally declared: His defeat of John Rob-
erts. the English champion. In the sum-
mer of 1898" Mind you," said Ken
nedy. lives didn't beat Roberts at the
regular English game. While in London
in 1892 Ives studied the English game
which was played on table 6x12
inside the rails and had six pockets
beveled at the openings and 37s inches
wide at the drop. The balls varied In
sets from 2 10 to 2 3-32 inches In di-
ameter. Ives suggested a match. pro-
viding Roberts would agree to reduce
the pockets to 315 inches, with the open
ings cut square. and TO increase the
size of the balls to pa inches In di-
ameter. Roberts promptly accepted. He
considered himself invincible at the reg
ular or a modified game Of English
billiards, and so did nearly every oody
in England who knew anything about
billiards.
The idea that a Yankee carom player
would have any chance against the Brit
ish champion at any kind of game on
an English table was considered pre-
posterous. Americans, too, were pretty
much of like opinion. Ives. however.
fancied his chance. He knew he was a
good pocket player. could give Roberts a
run at winning and losing hazards. and
more than all else. could do some rail
nursing with "a balls. An English table
with pockets as agreed upon was sent to
Chicago and set up for him. He practiced
faithfully and when the time for MS de-
parture for London approached he told
all his close friends: I'll win sure Did
he get anybody to believe him? He did
not. He begged Maurice Daily to 60
with him, but shrewd Maurice didn't be-
lieve he had chance, and told him so.
Now study the result.
Smothers british Champion.
THE match was 5000 points 1t was
played In six nights in Humphreys Hail.
Knightsbridge. London. odds OF 100 to
is were laid against the American. Yet
he won by 5000 to 1921. He made one
run OF 2.539, with the balls anchored at
the edge Of pocket. but not jawed. and
broke the position because he got tired
playing Il. The final night he finished
the match with a run of S53. English
reports specified that in those two runs
respectively, he made 1887 and 4o2
cannons, what we call caroms. His
nursing was a revelation TO spectators,
who had never seen anything I'm that
line and were so astounded that they
repeatedly exclaimed, That's baby bill
liards' The sequel 10 the match was
that England changed it's billiard rules
and English players practiced and be-
came proficient at close manipulation
Speaking for himself DAILY said
Kennedy Is right. didn't believe Ives
nHu N fntrce. lie was tie only DnllaiN
player In the world. The only one that
ever lived, who could have beaten Rob-
crts. So sure of winning was Roberts
that he sent Tom Taylor. leading Eng
lsh professional. 20 this country TO as
certain If Ives would go on with II. Be-
fore going 10 Chicago Taylor called on
me and asked me 10 help him. There
vas a probability that the match would
not take place. but Taylor agreed 10 cer-
"a IN details upon which Ives insisted ana
ciinchcd the game"
Jacob Schaofer and Roger Cont left
last night for Pittsburgh. where they
have three nights engagement. From
there they will 20 10 Buffalo. Next
week they will exhibit at Lawrence.
Mass, and the City Club, Boston. where
George j.. Slosson Is employed. Re-
turning here they viii Ill engagements
at the Union League Club. the Crescent
Athletic Club Brooklyn, and club
at Bridgeport. After the game az Bridge
port Con,i will 20 10 Chicago to be ex-
amlncd for military service IN France
by o doctor selected by the French Con-
sui in that city Speaking through an
Interpreter 10 Charles p. Miller. Vice
president OF the Brunswick- Balke-Col-
lender Company. Cont said : 'If the
doctor says am ~ for service I will
have 90 50 home by the first OF Febru-
ary N he excuses me I Will play with
s ~ rfer until March l. I hope 20 be