San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-30
TENNIS STORM
RAGING OVER
WRITER RULE
Richards Follows Davis
Cup RESIGNATION With
Strong Remarks.
REPEAL MAY BE ASKED
Tennis Organizations Over
Country to Seek Re-
consideration.

New York April 3G.-lICcon>ldera-
tiOn of the whole tennis player-writer
question. leading possibly 10 Il move
to repeal the amateur rule interpreta
ton which would bar from amateur
ranks next cyar stars who profit sub
stan,ially from their newspaper work,
may result from agitation stirred by
resignation of William 7. Tilden and
Vincent Richards from the Davis Cup
and Olympic teams.
Color to this prospect was given to-
day by Information that clubs and ten
mis- organizations in many parts of the
country. particularly in some sections
of the East and Middle West. were
preparing TO take the initiative in
bringing about n review of the player
writer situation which has shaken ten
mis- circles as has no other controver-
sial subject in years.
Typical of this movement was the
action Of members of the West Side
Tennis Club. of Forest Hills. y. Y,
one of the most prominent organiza-
tons in the country. in seeking n spe-
cial meeting TO register their opinions
in the player-writer question.
Opinion Is Divergent.
Similar steps, il was learned have
been taken by scores of other clubs.
although as yet no official informa-
ton of such action has reached the
offices of the United States Lawn
Tennis Association. where. it was said
today. the reflection of opinion on the
plnyer-writer question was widely di-
vergent.
No further steps are contemplated
at present by the association now, it
was said today. nor are officials con-
WINGED as yet that sentiment is strong
enough to warrant any change in at
titude.
Richads' definite decision to follow
the example Of Tilden in reSigning
frop the Davis Cup and Olympic
teams. although forecast by him sew
ersi days ago in Philadelphia, did not
become known until yesterday when
he said he had forwarded his resigna-
tion 70 Julian s. Myrick. chairman Of
the Davis Cup committee Of the L. s.
/. T. A.
The time has arrived for all ten
MS players who object TO the obnox-
ious player-writer rule TO come out in
the open and unite in taking definite
steps 10 curb the power of he mill
lionaire clique hat apparently is striv-
ing 10 make lawn tennis safe for the
idle rich declared Richards in
launching an attack upon the tennis
governing body today. The young
Davis cup star predicted startling
developments over the player-writer
issue and asserted that the "insur-
gents" with whom he has definitely
aligned himself. would mot sit supine-
ly by while the Newport element
takes the democracy out of the court
game
"War" Long Time Coming.
"This war has been coming on for
q long time" he continued. Certain
disgruntled elements have been trying
to run Tilden and me out of tennis
for the last three or four years. They
have made things so unpleasant for us
as they could in various ways. as
witness the caustic advice framed as
crude command. which was given
Tilden by members of the Davis Gun
committee during the doubles match
with Australia last September.
You can't make professionals out
of amateurs by arbitrary decree. as the
U. ;. /. T. A. will learn to its sorrow.
Public opinion. the court of last re-
sort. will uphold Tilden's resignation.
"This revolt against unwarranted
interference with a players personal
liberty is Just started. Robert and
Howard Kinsey are in sympathy with
Tilden. since they write syndicate ar
ticles for California papers. / expect
the Kinseys to decline any invitation
to play on the Davis Cup team"
Richards accused the U. s. l.. T. A.
of "jamming through" its player
writer Interpretation at the annual
meeting in March. SO far as he is CON
cerned. he said, the rule gave him no
alternative as he was obliged to make
a living out of his writing.