Evening star., 1939-08-27
Frank B. Lord.

being pretty we'll washed up without
indicating a lack of interest in the
game during the hot weather, atten-
ton is now being focused upon plans
which the players are studying for
the forthcoming fall-winter round of
playing of this popular pastime
Enthusiasm has been maintained bv
series of events beginning with the
Dig May and June team and pair
games OF the Washington Bridge
League, the noteworthy Annapolis
tournament, the annual summer
meet of the American Contract
Bridge League at Asbury Park, which
drew to the seaside many of the top
notch players, where some innova-
tions added to the pleasure derived,
and by various other regional
Journeys.
No, there has been no cessation of
contract activities. High tempera-
lures have not seemed to melt the
ardor of those who regard bridge
as the greatest of indoor games. IN
stead, the players are increasing in
numbers and in spirit, and are pre-
pared for carnival during the
coming months.
First, there is much concern over
what the Washington Bridge League
Will do. 1t is the representative
bridge organization of the National
Capital. and one of the largest and
most progressive affiliates of the
American Contract Bridge League.
the national organization. Local
players are pleased with the an
nouncement that there will be no
change in the scoring rules and are
In mood to proceed with the old
game, as is, only conceding the
necessary notifications in the rules
for 1910 that experience in play has
made advisable to meet conditions
that have arisen, and are not fully
and explicitly covered by existing
laws and regulations.
Events Projected.
The Washington Bridge League.
with its new president, Tom Hamlin,
Is endeavoring to work out some i'm
proved playing events which will add
interest to its series of games. One
OF these is to introduce an inter-
mediate section which will afford
the so-called second string of players
an opportunity to realize favorable
results from their play. With
large membership, all playing from
scratch, the better players almost
always walk away with the prizes.
leaving the less skillful ones with
nothing but the pleasure they have
had In play to show for their efforts.
1t Is thought that if there can be
some sitting out of those players
that experience has shown are most
likely to be winners in any free-for-
all event and allow them to match
their ability against each other. and
permit those who are themselves
willing to admit that they are not
quite so good and are called inter-
mediates or average performers to
play in their own section from which
the higher-ups are barred, that it
will be greatly to the advantage of
all concerned. They will thus be
enabled to win prizes in competition
with those of their own class, and
not be compelled to contest against
those whom they acknowledge to be
their superiors at the game.
Mr.. Hamlin is consulting with the
various teachers and duplicate man.
ayers in an effort to devise a method
whereby such an arrangement can
be made. They have received the
suggestion with appreciation and are
cooperating to make it workable
and hence a success.
At the last meeting of the league
in pair games the winners were:
North and South, Mrs. Jack Bennett
and Mrs. j. r. Belt tied for first
place with Miss Thelma Goodstein
and Mrs M. Mayer, Mr.. and Mrs. B.
Rossen, third, Tom Hamlin and
D. c. Elliott. fourth; East and West,
H. Howard and Dr. c. c. Mcdonnell,
first. Mrs. Peyton Blamire and Mrs.
E. E. Meissner, second; John A.
Thornton and Lewis G.. Tubbs, third.
Success in Pair Games.
The Federal Bridge League. COM
posed of Government employees. and
the second largest contract organ
ization in Washington, has been
meeting with success in its pair
games, open to all players for the
summer at the Wardman Park Ho-
tel. Lewis G. Tubbs, the leagues
president, is working on the sched-
ule for the team games which are