The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-05-01

/ rule barring player-writers after
of the trouble they were stepping
put off the disqualifying clause +
TO be notice enough to make all c.
VI The moment that Tilden dis
played signs of kicking over the
traces the moguls aimed their guns
at him. The tall Philadelphia did
not finch under fire. He hurled
back broadside that soon had the
tennis officials in hasty conference
The result Of this pow.pow was
that the United States lost its
greatest asset in the Olympic ten
mis- championships and Davis cup
matches.
The resignation of Richards
coming Immediately after that of the
champion is sure to cause sport
followers in this country to wonder
what action the U. S. L. T. A. is
going to take in order to safeguard
our tennis laurels.
1t is not likely that those who
are i'm charge Of tennis will argue
that william M. Johnston, Watson
Washburn, II. Norris Williams, or
the Kinsey brothers are able to
defend the Davis Cup with any
thing like an even chance to re.
tain possession of the Davis
trophy. With Tilden and Richards
out of these matches, Australia
looks to have a strange hold on
the cup.
1t may be that Japan will beat
the stars from the Anzacs. In such
an event the players from the
Oriental isle would likely defeat
anything that we might muster to.
gether in this country to oppose
them.
The decision of Richards was not
altogether unexpected. The lad has
always been in deep sympathy with
Tilden in his fight to keep the U. S.
L. T. A. from passing legislation
that would bar the player-writer
from competing among amateurs.
That he should have backed him
up In his tight is only natural.
Loyalty to the master who made
him star at the game no doubt
prompted him as much as a clean
cut idea that he was doing the
sporting thing.
1.-THE time has arrived" said
Richards, after forwarding his res.
fgnation to the Davis Cup commit.
tee, for all tennis players who OBJ.
Ject to the obnoxious player-writer
rule to come out in the open and
unite in taking definite steps to
curb the power of the millionaire
clique that is apparently striving
to make lawn tennis safe for the
idle rich"
81 have talked with a number
of, our very best players and they
have all expressed the same senti.
ments that 1 Incorporated in nv
letter of resignation. All of these
players feel that they have been
Disseminated against in the latest
piece of class legislation that has
been put through to force some Of
those who have to work for a liv.
ing from playing this rich mans
game
you may take my word for il
that we insurgents if you care
to term us that, are fit and ready
for action. We are not going to
sit supinely by while the present
millionaire clique takes the
democracy out of the game and
attempts to run things to suit q
few aristOcratS.
We are well informed of our
right We intend to strike while
the iron is hot. We feel that we
have public opinion behind US. The
day of, the aristocrat is passed be-
yond recall
1.-THE U. 8. L. r. A., has started
a fight. Now let us SEE whether or
not they can finish it. You know
that it is not always the man who
starts the encounter that wins the
decision. It's fight to the last
with us. We are not asking any
compromise and we don't intend
entering into any to save anyone or
any association.
"This fight has been threatening
for some time. A few individuals
have been trying to force Tilden and
myself out of tennis for the past
three or four years. Anyone who
knows Bill Tilden appreciates what
he has accomplished for tennis. No
individual has given more ,gener-
ollsly of his time and effort to make
tennis the popular game that it is
today than the champion.
"TO make things unpleasant for
ScucTOuS pcTSOu VI 1HUcH y Nds
ture is to venture beyond every
bound of good spOrtsmanship.
The clean, clear way that Tilden
has fought back has won him the
respect and admiration Of the
players and from what can
judge most of the fans.
1.-THE ! unkind things that were
said about Tilden after he PLAYED
the final in the doubles last fall
were enough to break the heart
of any player. To say that all Of
these remarks were uncalled for
is to express the opinion of most
tennis fans.
Don't think that feel any re.
sentiment against U. S. L. T. A,
] appreciate what that body has
accomplished for the good of ten.
IDS. My fight is against the few
aristocrats that think they can
disqualify every man who wants
to play the game as an amateur
and earn a living at honest labor.
whether or not win my
fight, only the future can tell. I
believe that the principles upon
which both Tilden and myself
base our arguments is sound
enough to ask for the support of
the fans"