Evening star., 1931-12-24
LEM TAKES NAP
AT BRIDGE TABLE
CuIbertson's Delay Irks Rival,
Who Leaves, Saying "Tele-
gram Will Reach Me-"
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, December 24.-Twas a
couple of days before Christmas and all
through de luxe Broom suite of the
Waldorf Astoria not more than half
a hundred bridge Kibitzers were stirring
last night on the side lines Of the Ely
Culbertson-Sidney Lenz contract war.
Mr.. Culbertson remained quiet for
ever SO long to wait for Santa Claus to
bring possible successful fineSse.
Mr.. Lenz fell asleep.
About them were green walls, buff
drapes, Italian engravings, early Ameri-
can and modern furniture, Oriental and
old English screens-the whole blended
nicely into early Hollywood.
Buffers appeared suddenly, mid-ses-
sion, with pork and beans. Everybody,
excepting the working press and Ossie
Jacoby, who plays opposite Lenz, came
dressed for bar. Culbertson came Is
minutes early and brought his own
clock. 1t was 20 minutes fast.
Mrs. Culbertson Glad.
Mrs. CulbertSon remarked that she
was glad the war moved out of her bali
Wick-because now the spirit of contest
that was there could give way to peace
on earth and Christmas tree for the
kids.
The players grew sentimental about
bringing the war up in the Waldorf
and, prompted by a couple of press
agents, told how bridge playing in
America got started in the old Wal
oorf-how Betchaa-Million Gates used
to bid for high stakes with those who
could afford it.
Culbertson became bored by the
mounting score in his favor. He lapsed
into a bridge patois of his own. When
his partner was dummy he called for
the plays instead Of reaching for them
Let's have the picolo," he said
Il beg pardon?" said Theodore Light
ner, the partner.
THE picolo, picolo-four of dia-
monds," said Challenger Culbertson i'm
patiently.
Teddy doesn't speak Swedish" re-
minded Lenz.
Jacoby spoke up and said he had
been going through life thinking q
plcolo was musical instrument.
Snore Disturbs Culbertson.
Lenz's snooze right in the middle of
the playing of a hand would not have
disturbed Culbertson if he hadn't
snored. Culbertson contended later that
his opponent was playing 'pdssum.
When Culbertson did, after three
minutes of meditation, play the card
he was meditating about, Lieut.. Alfred
M. Gruenther, referee, ruled that LEM
would have to wake up and continue
He backed up the ruling with a poke
in the ribs.
"Heh?" said Lenz dreamily, Whats
the contract?"
Go back to sleep, Sidney" advised
i Culbertson, ION the next card l am
going to take longer"
Lenz threw down his pasteboards and
ran into the hallway, shouting back
that telegram would probably reach
him If Culbertson decideod to play
within the next hour or two.
Mrs. Culbertson met him and con-
soled him with funny story.
Several minutes later he was called
back. Culbertson intimated he intended
| to take his time again and it looked as
| If the performance would be repeated
But Culbertson caught him by the
elbow
See, Sidney" he said, IT play little
club with nice little black spots!"
Victory in six of eight rubbers at the
last pre-ChristmaS session, ending early
today, added 1920 points tosthe lead OF
CulberSton's side.
When the eighty-seventh rubber OF
the 150-rubber match is started, at the
resumption Of play at 2:30 pm Sat
urday, Culbertson will be 14,525 points
ahead with a total of 1880, compared
! with 63,625 for Lenz and Jacoby.