Evening star., 1942-11-01
Bv Frank B. Lord.

The action Of q New York magis-
trate holding in q court case that
bridge is q game Of chance rather
than skill, and that playing it is
therefore violation of the statute
against gambling, is not disturbing
Washington players. The case was
one wherein hairdresser han con-
Quoted a duplicate game of three
and half tables in his apartment
and given 81 prize to the winners.
It was tried last September and the
defendant was convicted. At the re-
quest Of the American Contract
Bridge League it was reopened and
the organization was allowed to sub
NIT evidence in behalf Of the de-
fense.
This evidence was in the form of
q game played in court before that
magistrate by Ely Culbertson, Will
liam E. McKenney, Richard Frey and
Shepard Barclay, recognized experts
Notwithstanding, the magistrate who
admitted that he had no knowledge
Of the game continued to hold that
is constituted gambling and real
f1rmed his previous decision. The
case will be appealed to the higher
court and a test made.
In view of the fact that In duplicate
bridge each set Of players, whether
pairs or members of teams OF four,
plays the same SCI OF cards against
every other set Of players, the
element of chance, so far as the
distribution of cards is concerned, is
eliminated, and science and skill
determine the result. Theoretically,
if each set of players played with
the same and equal skill, there
would be, on a given number OF
boards, no winners and no losers.
It is only by the variation OF play
by different players that some win
and others lose, which should prove
that it is skill and not luck that
enables some to win and causes
others to lose.
Local enthusiasts anticipate no
interference here with their pastime
which is indulged in at practically
all of the social clubs and is even
played by organizations affiliated
with the church and in innumerable
private homes. 1t has thousands OF
devotees. including large number
of high officials of the Government
Russell ]. Baldwin. tournament
manager for the ACBL, has nov
received his captains commission as
ballistic expert in the Ordnance
Department and is on duty at the
Aberdeen Proving Grounds.
DR.. E. B. Conally has been COM
missioned captain in the Medical
Corps and after several weeks OF
training and instruction at Walter
Reed Hospital has been assigned to
Miami.
w. M. Mcintyre. a cadet pilot. Is
studying to be glider flyer at the
Municipal Airport, in Mobile.
Howard Woolworth, captain, Is
detailed to the military police al
Meade. Capt. Woolworth wears 9
wound stripe from the First Worle
War and for overseas service. He
was also decorated by the French
government.
Pvt. Oscar Brotman, worlc
|. bridge champion two years ago, il
on maneuvers in Louisiana.
Lewis G. Tubbs, formerly of the
Post Office Department, is petty
officer In the Navy assigned to {
receiving ship in Norfolk. ~
Corpl. Douglas Howell is attached
to Army headquarters in Washing
ton.
Albert Goldstein Is a chief pett!
officer in the Coast Guard.
Paul Neff is a lieutenant in tn,
Army engineers.
Ed Lloyd is also a lieutenant II
the same branch Of the service.
Mrs. A. M. Sobel, who Is vel
known among Washington players
made a rs per cent sweep last weel
in the Metropolitans. Playing with
Miss Ruth Sherman she won tn,
women's pair championship, with
Charles H. Goren she won the mixet
pair championship and with th'
same partner won the open-pai
championship. The foursome O
which she was a member in tn
team -of-four match lost out in tn
semiflnals. She thus won three ou
Of four major matches, which i
rated as a very good tournament
showing.
In the National Press Club gamt
on Monday night the leaders wer'
Ned Brooks and J. B. Latta, first
George E. Doying. ST., and George
E. Doying, jr, second, and Frank