Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-05

But the tournament to be a sue.
cess must be more than a. competi-
ton Of mere amateurs-there must
be at least from to 10 widely known
stars" gathered together from all
corners Of the world to fill the gal
lery with spectators who All the Or
ganizers' pockets with francs). Here
we encounter a difficulty. Stars"
have other things to do-some Of
them are even engaged In making a
living. Occasionally one or two hnd
1t difficult. perhaps. perhaps impos-
sible to pay their railroad fares and
their hotel bills at a fashionable hotel.
1t Is prohibited to make a living out
of tennis and one must live, but what
would you? One must remain anna.
teur.
How 1t Is Done.
Difficult though this situation
may seem. it is speedily arranged.
The star" is invited. His travelling
expenses are paid. his hotel bills are
arranged for, and sometimes "other
expenses"
this state Of affairs with the rules Of
strict amateurisn. cannot under
stand, yet 1t is constantly being done.
Why the "star" should get all hts OK.
penses paid for him and the player
of lesser rank should pay his own. has
also been q mystery 20 me, for which
can see only one solution-gate re.
ceipts.
The law which governs anateurism
is responsible for this peculiar and
somewhat regrettable state of affairs.
In very few cases is the letter of the
law actually violated, but by ar.
ly delicate and confidential it's pur-
pose is usually evaded. The players
are not to blame. With many of
them tennis Is. as with me, passion
Lack of means and an antiQuated
set Of amateur rulings force them to
seek subterfuges in order to be able
10 play the game. The tournament
organizers are not to blame, for II Is
only natural that they should want to
attract the greatest number Of stars
at the smallest financial outlay.
Blames Tennis Association.
Only the rules Of the French Anna.
teur Tennis Association are to blame.
They were framed when tennis was in
Its infancy and when players be-
longed to the smart set. In those
days the difference between an anna
teur and professional was the differ
ence between a gentleman and his
hired help. Today things are differ
ent. a tennis star Is developed lust
as often on the courts of the public
parks as on the courts Of the most
exclusive clubs-perhaps more often.
Years ago a racquet designed ac-
cording to my ideas was made for
me by Paris manufacturer. / have
played with 1t in every tournament.
Although 1t has sold widely on it's
own merits, l have never been per.
mitted to make one sou profit out Of
it, I have never been allowed to
give 1t my public Endorsement, or to
explain to them it's merits and ad.
tages. Under the rulings Of the
French Amateur Association that
would have made me a professional
claim that the ruling was unfair
to me and unfair to the people, es.
improved their game by the use Of
racquet bulls on scientific princi.
Piles.
Professional tennis will cut into
the profits Of the clubs existing TO.
day. and it is only natural that Of
ficials Of these clubs should raise
their voices and proclaim loudly that
l have sold my birthright for a mess
Of pottage. I wonder, however. II
tHe seats at wimbledon VIII 1otcn
5000 apiece. as they did this year,
when just as good, II not better, ten.
mis- is being displayed next door by
firstrate professionals at a fraction
Of that price.
Urges Open Meets.
To Offset this loss tennis organi-
cations will do wisely in abandoning
their traditions and adopting some Of
the tactics Of the Golf Association.
The open meet will help them out Of
their difficulty and the sooner they
realize 1t the better II will be for
tennis. Naturally, there will be
certain number Of diehards and ir.
reconcilables. There always are.
Professional base ball Is directly
responsible for the great popularity
of that game Ill America, and the
same can be said Of foot ball in Eng.
land Tennis is more exciting. more
scientific. healthier and less dan.
geroSe than either Of these games.
1t is a more social game because
IL can be played by both sexes. =. -
played in every country under the
sun 1t permits Of international con-
tests and international interests. Pro
fessional exhibitions and the gospel
they will preach will quickly put ten
ris whora II helon 1a-at the head Of