The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-05-12

Ofganlzatl0n, on g. cOungfy-Wlue
the enc now in control.
Tilden himself IL SIMPLY an Incl
dent in these plans and the larger
purpose Of the attack. II Is claimed
that . greater significance than the
standing Of any Individual has
emerged from the skirmishng
which has been going on lately, and
that tennis. once the bauble Of New.
port society. IL now in the grip Of
"A New Snobhery that those peo-
pie who successfully fought New.
port and took the national cham.
pionship away from the Casino
there, have themselves developed an
&ristocracy which threatens the life
Of the sport and the public's pro.
prietory interest insit.
TiIden, It Is also claimed, has
been buffeted about like q political
football for wholly personal reasons
by the tennis politicians because
Ne has refused to Eyes" the mem
bsrs of "the snobbery'' in the open
meetings or the, national association.
and, that, further. he has been made
the object Of reprisals for refusing
to play in Invitation tournaments in
which they have had a special In.
terest. 4
Itden's supporters and these
Include q large percentage Of the
noted men and women players OF
the country, are so indignant over
the treatment accorded the AEneri.
can champion that they are uFg-
ing formation Of q new body to be
known as the American Amateur
Association Of Tennis Players.
The pro-Tilden movement has
gained the force of a prairie fire.
The great players friends have a
specific sheaf Of grievances against
the dominating clique In the Unit.
ID States Lawn Tennis Association
that would fill a book. Among
the 4'cOunts's in the Indictment are:
Tilden has been ruin ragged" in
the last four years, travelling $4,000
miles filling exhibition and other
Bookings" arranged by the associ-
alton for the financial benefit of
the association. =. Is
: His drawing power has been as
great in his field as Babe Ruth's
in baseball. Because of his activ.
tiles great sums Of money have
flowed into the Golfers Of the assoc
citation. Yet, ironically enough,
these funds have. been used to
give banquets for the glortfication
OF the 'sclique" and for iipkeep of
the lower Broadway suite of rooms
from which reama OF anti Tilden'
propaganda have flowed for weeks.
It was recalled yesterday by one
Of Tilden,s friends that Holcombe
Ward, author Of the anti-Tilden
ulxase about player-writing is a
power In the Seabright Tennis and
Cricket Glib. Ward himself. in
the days when he was national
champion, considered It no dishonor
TO write at times ON tennis. Nor
did some OF the greatest players
81 the tennis world, past and
present-the Dohertys. Alexander,
Sears, Malcolm. Whitman Bob
WISHH1 ISdyIAlOktu : ~. A4tteACS- NAN'
Loughlin. Patterson, etc.
The SeaDrsgnt Club Il declared
60 be dominated by . clique that
has always exeited considerable
influence at national tennis head
quarters. Il is an exclusive club
whose members enjoy their ten at
the proper hour and would not
think Of according recognition, 80
! ciaily, 70 an "unpedigreed player.
OF course. Tilden IL dfstinctively
''pedigreed." both socially. mentally
and athletically. But he Il just
enough Of a democrat, his sup
porters say. 70 resent the cold,
shouldered shrugs given MANY en-
trants In the annual Seabrigh;
tournament. So last year, as in
previous years. Tilden refused en-
try in Ihe; Seabright affair.
Immediately afterward be gan
pressure on the recaicitrant tennis
star, Some say B. s. Prentice,
broker and social figure. besought
the aid OF George Wightman, Julian
Myficl1 and others. At any rate,
HOicOmbe Ward, now Tilden's bit.
tor foe, sent Tilden no less than
six telegrpIna asking him 70 come
70 Seabrigtt and breathe life into
Che tournament.
L Tilden aid not play at Seabright,
Ward h, the author Of the bitter
admittedly sunfortOnately phrased, :
statement IN which Tilden's writ,
Ing IL called an ''evil influence
upon American tennis.
TiIiell, It Is pointed out, was .
writer LONG BEFORE he was q
prominent tennis player. His
friends say the ''lnilliOnaire clique"
Is seeking to Iegislate him out Of
q living b5cause lie viii not put
velvet pads on his knees and
crawl to Il.eIr slightest wishes.
They call that "The penalty 81
success"
70 take the game out Of the
hands OF the legislators, the rally
ing cry IL Lets play the game
instead or legtnlAting." And with
this ioea In tintnd meeting 81
nenDO q of the West Side Tennii
Club has ben called for Wedhes
day night Sr the Forest Hills club
house. Hundreds are expected Il
be- present ia the very bait egroaint
OF the enemy They are prepared
TO indorse the stand ofgthe German
town Cricket cub. which has pre-