Evening star., 1924-03-30

has gone even further and has ammo
will be permitted TO take part in this
It has been pointed out by seve
Olympic committee is much less fai
the Tennis Association, which allows
the already existing contracts whic
Syndicates.
The amateur code has been de- |
veloped in order to maintain the high
standards of the game and to protect
IL from those players who seek to use
the sport as a means of financial gain.
Like all laws, it can be obeEed scither
in the letter or in the spirit. The
danger of allowing tennis players to
write is that young players of pfoml-
nence may receive large sums of
money for articles that are badly
written and which would not be ac-
ceptable to any newspaper without
the name. II is even known that some
players have received money for ar
tiCleS signed by them, but which they
did not write. This sort of thing can
not be too strongly condemned. and
must be eliminated.
The tennis association also feels
that young players of prominence may
turn to writing as an easy means of
livelihood and failing to recognize
that il is but a temporary occupation.
due solely to their skin at tennis, may
miss the chance 10 enter business at
an early age and find themselves
stranded wnen their tennis prOweSs
has left them,
Has Literary Ability.
Tilden's case is an entirely different
one Every one who knows him in
timately is aware OF. his literary abil-
ity. While at college he specialized
in English and writing and has al
ways stated that he hoped 10 make
success as a journalist Even when
in college he contributed articles for
the Philadelphia papers, usually on
subjects connected with music and
the drama, two subjects that have al
ways deeply Interested him.
Tilden's love of writing, combined
with his love of tennis and pro-
nounced analytical ability. were bound
in time to find expression in writing
tennis articles. ] shall never forget
the enthusiasm with which he under
took the writing of his first book,
which he finished. by the way, in
eight days. nor the satisfaction he
took in getting across to the public
his IDEAS of how the game should be
played. Since then he has produced
u dozen ooo&S and every one has been
written in an enthusiastic spirit that
was wholly unmerCenary. He also
takes a keen delight in writing for
magazines and newspapers, and IS
constantly discussing with some
friend some phase of the game that
ne afterward writes about
The Olympic committees ruling is
a hard and fast one. as it bars from
competition all athletes who write
about any sport. thus practically, pro-
ssionalZing them without hear
ing. The tennis association has been
less severe. 1t will judge each case
separate next January, and mas
openly stated that it intends to pro
fessionalize only those players who
receive a substantial income for writ
ing.
TiIden's Case Attracts.
In the discussion which followed
these two rulings, the case Of I1iden
has naturally attracted the greatest
attention both because of his posi-
tiOn as champion and because ms arti-
Giles on tennis are 50 widely sSndl-
Gated. Tilden announced in the press
that he viii continue writing IN 1879,
no matter what ruling is then made
In his case by the tennis association.
Recently he endeavOred to obtain
from the association an expression or
opinion as to his status in 1925, giV<
ing as a reason for this request his
desire to know whether or not he VIII
be eligible for next years tourna-
ments. so that he can make his plans
accordingly He appeared before the
executive committee of the United
States Lawn Tennis Association IN
person and stated his case, making
strong plea to be allowed to retain
mis- amateur status next year and re-
This the committee was unwilling
to grant. as it felt that it was unwise
to give a decision now in regard TO q
case that might have new aspects a
year hence.
Tennis Writing Temporary.
The ruling of the Olympic commit
tee has definitely eliminated Tllden,
Richards and Fischer from TINS year
team. Unfortunate as is this decision.
il is OF far less Importance to Amerl-
can tennis than the momentous queS-
lion of Tildens amateur standing.
While Tildeu is disappointed at not
being given an Immediate decision Dy
the executive committee, l personally
am very glad that this body has de-
ferred judgment until next year. 40
particular harm can be done by the
DELAY, and a question of such lmpor-
tauce to American sportSmen should
only be decided and Judgment render
ed after a painstaking inVestlgatlon
of both sides of the question.
It is in way. unfortunate for TIL
den that his two great talents, tennis
and writing, should be the means OF
jeopardizing his amateur standing.
IL is trte that he makes a very good
living from writing about the game,
but at heart he is wholly an amateur
The point is that he does not play
tennis for the purpose of making
money, but from pure love of the
sport, and he, therefore, obeys the
amateur code in spirit That his
prominence in tennis has been
means of advertising his writings
and, indirectly, adding to his income
there can be no Question. but this
would have been equally true were
he a lawyer, a physician, an lnspr-
ance agent or stock broker. II is
we'll known that any prominent
sportsman, especially man with an
International reputation, is an asset
TO any business, and had Tilden elect
ed some other profession than writ
ing this advantage would have been
considered perfectly legitimate
Helps Game With Earnings.
IT is the intent of the association to
develop tennis along the best possible
eame be served by the elimination of
a man like Tilden? l do not think So
on the contrary, l believe very de-
cidedly that not only T1lden.s play
ing but his writing is needed IN the
s,ame and that his retirement as
Professional would be "a great dis
aster to our tennis. No champion has
ever done half as much for Junior
tennis as Tilden, and ii is only De
cause he receives a remuneration Tor
writing that he can AFFORD 10 spei.o
so much time in developing the
Younger players. The money that
TiIden makes all goes right back
into the game. His own tastes are
very simple
ridden has played in all karts of the
country. but always at the request
of some club or association that
wishes not only to have it's players
see the champion in action, but to
make money to carry or their tennis
activities. Tilden always has been
ready to answer such appeals, and
The feeling throus:-, a. the coun-