Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-04
ON WAY TO VICTORY
STRAIGHT SETS"
Noted Net Star, In Hospital,
SmiIingIy Winning Fight
on tuberculosis.
BY FLOYD J. HEALEY.

HO SS, Calf, June 4.-For Is
- years William NJ. Johnston
carried a racket in his hand
and indomitable courage
under his shirt every time he
stepped onto tennis court. The
combination shaped an unknown
boy of a San Francisco play
ground into a world champion.
1t was inevitable the process should
win him the respect. the admiration
and love of his contemporaries and the
sports-loving public. 1t was not in
eyitable. but q factor of his evolution
into Little Bill" that he developed q
style and finish that was held up to
aspiring youth as the model OF perfect
form on tennis court and drew the
plaudits Of Kings, Queens and Presi-
dents.
But the old intestinal fortitude was
little Bills" greatest asset. 1t made
him face physical shortcomings of
stature and weight and fight the good
fight with q smiling face, win, lose or
draw.
Courage Is Needed Now.
That quality Is standing him in good
stead right now.
He needs all the courage he has be-
cause he's fighting to win the hardest
match he ever played. He's lying on
his back in a little room in the Ross
General Hospital, looking out toward
the hills of region the home folks
call Little Switzerland" playing for
his life. His opponent is tuberculosis,
far more ruthless as q foeman than
those he could smother with forehand
drive or q backhand cut.
There are no runners-up in this con-
test; no Davis cups to decorate the
mantel; no cheers from excited thou
sands to spur him on. He has phy-
stefan. Dr. Sydney Shipman OF san
Francisco, in whom he has the utmost
confidence; nurses who know whst 70
say and what not to say, and when;
his wife, whose courage keeps pace with
his; definite knowledge Of his own con-
dition, the courage to face it and the
will to win.
He's winning in straight sets"
When he granted an exclusive inter
view with The Star and the North
American Newspaper Alliance CORE
spondent he did 1t with a smile ana
touch of his ever-present modesty
about his own accomplishments.
Intends to Get Well.
''I don't know what can say" he
declared, except that I'm here, but
I'm going to get out again
he I16lQ Oub ~ was AkONOA
large, because Little Bill" never was
. big man. His hand always seemed
pygmylike against the long hand OF
big Bill" Tilden, his greatest rival
but one Of his greatest friends. But it's
SKINNER than ever now and by nc
means has the grip it had to have or
a racket to win singles and doubles
championships in cities, States and ma
tons.
His hand shows his condition fal
more than his face.
"It may sound odd" he confided
''but / feel better than have In thS
last is years. For the first time In my
life I'm getting rest. I'm sure nov
that's what I've needed more than any
thing else.
Naturally, did not enthuse wher
I learned my trouble. had been ex-
periencing q consistent rundown feel
ing. My appetite was of, ! tired easily
I was working hard-too hard, sup
pose-and ] hadn't had decent vaca-
ton in Is years.
when wasn't working, was get
ting In shape for tennis tournament
or playing in one, or going to or from
one It wasn't rest. was keyed up al
the time.
"Then, just like any one would,