Evening star., 1932-07-27
PLAYERS
MATTERFOR CLUBS
u. S. L. T. A. Stipulates Only
Cost of Travel, Reason
able Maintenance.
BY LAWRENCE FERRY.

q EABRIGHT, N. J., July 81
- Action Of the Canada Lawn
- Tennis Association in de-
clining to accept three
prominent American players in
the national tournament now in
progress at Ottawa, very strong
letter from President Newton Of
the Southern Association depre-
eating the attitude of Clifford
Sutter of Louisiana and Bryan
Grant Of Georgia, and an impend-
ing conference of officials of the
Eastern Association comprise the
Aftermath Of the refusal of 13
leading players to compete in the
current Seabright tournament.
What will come of all this. if any
thing, may not be said. So far as the
national association is concerned, the
feeling is that it has no part in the in
cident.
Covering the question of hospitality
and travelling expenses, the U, S. L. T.
A. code contains a rule holding that Q
club may pay a players travelling ex-
penses and extend reasonable main
tenanCe. 1t does not definitely stipulate
that club shall do this.
GO the feeling Of the U. S. L. T. A. Is
- that Seabright has perfect right
to make its own conditions con-
cerning the entertainment Of players,
and that the players, on their part, have
an equal right to accept or to decline
as they see fit. In other words, nothing
warranting official action, or even ofd-
cial notice, is involved in the Seabright
Situation-So far, at least, as the ma
tional authorities are concerned.
One gathers the idea that Seabrighe
would have been pleased had the play
ers seen fit to discuss the question Of
hospitality with the club instead Of
rushing the matter into the newspapers,
from which source the sponsors of the
current Seabright tournament received
their first intimation that all was not
well.
And inasmuch as some of the players
whose names appeared among the IS
men who withdrew are members Of
families of means, and are well able to
pay their way If necessary, 1t Is believed
their action was hasty and uncon-
Sidered. In other words, the idea il
that more than one of the group were
swayed. as youth is likely to be. by per-
suasive tongues.
A T all events, so far as Seabright is
IA concerned the thing has been
dropped, and If anything relating
to 1t comes up in the councils Of the
Eastern association it will in all prob
ability have to do with political aspects,
such, for instance, as the attitude Of
one club toward another at times when
a united front would better conserve the
interests of the sport.
The writer learns that no representa-
tion of any sort was made to Canada
concerning the Seabright case. The ac-
ton of the Canadian authorities In
turning down several players whose
names appeared in the Seabright mani
festo originated in Ottawa, and was
brought about not only as gesture Of
good feeling toward Seabright, but
tacit admission that Canada has had
her problems concerning players. Which,
as fact, she has had and still has.
One thing strikes any visitor to the
tourney at Seabright this week, and 1t
is that the chief loss is incurred not by
the club, but by the players who de-
clined the opportunity to play the game
they love in an environment lovely as q
dream and where tennis Is tradition
reaching toward half century.