Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-06
CRITICISM NOT
JUST|F|ED--T|LDEN
Champion Resents Attack on
Richards and Middle States,
Made by N. Y. Official
UPH0LDS PLAYERS RIGHTS

ct FEEL that any criticism on the
L part of. Mr.. Cunningham as to the
action OF Vincent Richards or myself
Is entirely uncalled for"
This is the answer Of William r.
Tilden. I'd, to the protest made by W.
Dickson Cunningham, president of. the
to the United States Lawn Tennis Ex-
ecutive Committee on the grounds that
Richards had failed to keep his promise
to play in the national indoor cham.
pionsh!ps.
Cunningham also protested that the
committee had no right to sanction the
Middle States tourney here, In which
Richards competed. when the dates Of
the contests in this city conflicted with
the nationals.
Claims Richards Broke Promise
In his letter Cunningham pointed out
entered in the national singles he
stating that his physical condition
after an attack Of Influenza would be
three days before the New York youth
played at the Commercial Museum. 8
The letter has been placed before the
Executive Committee to be acted upon
at the next meeting, which Is not
scheduled to take place until next Sep.
tcmber.
: ut is my opinion" said TiIden this
morning in discussing the case, that
a player has the right to play wher-
ever he sees fit and should not be die.
tated to by the Executive Committee or
any other body.
Didn't Interfere
"As to the Middle States tourney,
the conflict Of dates was deeply re.
gretted by all. I hoped to play in New
York, but as it was the only date pos
sible to play the Middle States. and as
the 80 called national indoor singles Is
an annual New York affair with few
outside entries. there Is no reason to
believe that the Middle States inter.
fered with the national indoor cham.
pionships.
Personally played with Sam
Wiener in New York under lighting and
surface conditions which made it i'm
possible for Wiener to do justice to
himself or to me because / desired to
assist the national tourney as far as
possible. This can be shown by the
fact that Wiener and took set from
ditiOns at the Commercial Museum, in
which match Wiener showed his true
worth.
II feel any criticism on the part of
Mr.. Cunningham as to the action Of
Richards and myself is entirely uncalled
for"
Before Executive Committee
In his letter Cunningham Objected
more to the action Of Richards than to
the sanctioning Of the local tourney at
the same time as the nationals. His let.
ter. In part, follows:
"Was the Philadelphia tournament
sanctioned by the Executive Commit.
tee? II so. how can such course pos
sibly be justified? The national indoor
championships were scheduled for the
week Of March 27-April 1 inclusive. at
least two months ago and have been
announced and published for that
length of time.
81, personally. had heard nothing
of the Philadelphia tournament until
Monday. March 81. The Philadelphia
tournament, Of course, cut into our en-.
try list and somewhat into our attend.
ciple rather than to the harm that re-
suited to our club. 1t is the first time
in my recollection that tournamen,
of major importance has contlicted with
a national championship. We have re.
Gently been awarded the national in.
door championship for 1923 and we EN-.
phatically protest now against a repe.
tition Of what has occurred this year.
1.-The course pursued by Vincent
Richards. however, is what We object
to most strenuously and we think that
a thorough investigation Of this should
be made at once