Evening star., 1942-03-22

express mingled feelings Of amuse-
ment and surprise because the
Office of Civilian Defense while
appointing co-ordinators for horse
shoe throwing. ping-pong, fan
dancing and other sports, has ig-
nored and overlooked entirely their
favorite pastime. This has been
done despite the fact that the num-
ber of bridge players is far in excess
of the devotees of the games which
have been placed under sort of
Government supervision for war
purposes.
They entertain the belief that
these various co-ordinated games
to the number of score or more
are regarded as more or less body
builders, while bridge is a game
that provides mental development
rather than physical strength.
Thousands in Washington from
high Government officials down to
mere clerical employees find relaxa-
ton by indulging in it, as well as
pleasure and social enjoyment. 1t
is argued that it tends to promote
morale which is as essential in the
present circumstances as is military
prowess.
The bridge players, however, have
never sought Government aid or
recognition. but have been content
to let their form of entertainment
rest upon its merits. Instead OF
asking Government assistance they
are themselves as bridge players as
sisting the Government. Hundreds
of groups throughout the country
are giving the proceeds OF their
games to the U. S. O., the Red
Cross and other organizations and
are purchasing ambulances and
raising money with which to buy
hospital equipment to aid in the
war effort. Individually the sums
are comparatively small but they
are quite sizable in the aggregate.
In addition they are contributing
something over $4,000, 900 a year in
taxes upon the cards with which
they play. They point out that
while many other forms of recrea-
ton are costly theirs in an mex
pensive method of entertainment
and is an important factor in main
tanning at least mental stamina in
the stress of wartimes. However
if it should be desired to have a
co-ordinator they are willing to
acquiesce and run their pastime on
a war basis.
At the present time NOSE of the
clubs in Washington and many pri-
vate players are donating their used
cards to soldier organizations for
the boys who do not fight all the
time enjoy bridge and other card
games. This practice was followed
in the First World War and has
been revived. Miss Mabel T. Board
man is chairman of a Red Cross
committee that is gathering them
up for such purpose.
Mrs. Oliver Hoyem and Mrs Jack
Bennett were the winners at the
National Press Clubs semi-weekly
game last Monday night. 1t. Comdr
Byrns and Miss June Rosenhaupt
were second and Mrs. M H. Dalberg
and Net Brooks were third.
Opportunity to make a grand
slam in a suit declaration when
vulnerable is quite infrequent, but
it came to Frank A. Connelley in a
game played last week at the Ma
tional Press Club.
The distribution of the cards was
as follows:
AJAX
VAKJ10x
oA10x
&AKQ
OK 0xx
oKsxxx WE . axxxx
Ak &xxx
0Q9xxx
&J10xxxx
Mr.. Connelley sat north ant
opened the bidding with two hearts
When East passed, Louis E. Brown
in the south jumped up to 81,
hearts. West looked at his hand ane
saw that the contract in all proba.
bility could not be defeated. Il
would mean 1,430 points to the win
ner and 100 more if the declarel
held honors. Although himself
vulnerable, he figured that he couls
take . set Of four in, spades ant