Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-11-28
BY FRANK b. LORD.

The American Contract Bridge
League will open the eleventh national
bridge tournament tomorrow evening
at the Hotel Shoreham. 1t will be
the first time that an event of this
character has ever been held in
Washington, end the first one ever
conducted outside New York, Chicago,
Cleveland and Cincinnati.
The tournament also will signalize
the merger Of the American Bridge
League and the United States Bridge
Association, which have heretofore.
held Independent tournaments. Last
year a union OF the two examinations
was effected which brought together
all accredited experts OF the game.
The Washington Bridge League. OF
which 1t. Comdr. William A. Corley,
U. S. NJ, retired, is president, will
act as host to the visitors. 1t has
prepared an extensive program of
events wherein practically all experts
OF the game, which its devotees de-
clare embraces upwards of $4,000 900
followers in America, will participate.
The tournament will continue
throughout the coming week, beginning
at $50 pm. tomorrow, with different
contests staged for each following
afternoon and evening. except next
Sunday, when the first event OF the
day is scheduled for 1880 am. and
the hnal one Of the meet for pm.
1.ses Entrants Expected.
The proponents of the tournament
estimate there will be upwards Of
1900 entrants In the series Of event,
OF all classes and that there will be
nearly 1000 individual participants
1t is their aim to make it the largest
gathering of bridge players in the
history of the game. Already regis.
tered for the contests are players
from all parts OF the country. from
Boston in the East to Los Angeles. Sar
Francisco and Phoenix in the West
and from st. Paul in the North, te
New Orleans, Atlanta and Miami ir
the South
William E. Mckinney of New York
secretary Of the league, has been il
Washington for several days complet.
ing final arrangements with 1t. Comdr
Corley, chairman. and Mrs. Edith B
Swanson. vice chairman, OF the Tour.
nament Executive Committee. R. J
Baldwin Of Cleveland, executive di.
rector, as representative of the league
will have charge of the play and su.
pervise the various events assisted by .
corps Of so experts drawn from leadins
bridge centers Of the country.
The league, emphasizing its belle
that bridge is the premier of all in.
door games, also stresses the fact thai
the events of the tournament are no.
alone for the masters of the play, bu
are open to any players regardless o.
their skill and ability, and with equa
opportunity to win championships
While some players may be more
adept than others, the game boasts o.
no professionals. since no one is paie
for his or her participation.
Amateurs to Play.
The opening event tomorrow night
will be an amateur game, sponsored by
the Washington Bridge League, wher
any player. regardless of membership
either in the American Contract Bridg,
League or the Washington Bridge
League, may compete. On Tuesday al
$50 pm. there will be q similar con.
test under auspices of the Fedora
Bridge League, which IS made up o
employees of the Federal and Distric
governments and members of tn
Army, Navy and Marine Corps Play
ers, however, are not limited to thos,
who are members of this league. Or
Wednesday evening at the same houl
the Maryland Bridge League will b.
host to all players under like condi
tions.
1t is arranged that the local con-
testants and those of the Maryland
League will all play in east and ives
positions and all visitors north ane
south so as to afford opportunity TO-
making acquaintance with player,
from out Of town. This series Of game!
Is designed As q sort of try-out TO-
the national players who will play il
the major events that are to follow.
Interest Is keen in the fact that Ell,
Culbertson, classed> rs No. expert BY
many bridge enthusiasts. will play II