Evening star., 1942-12-13
Bv Frank B. Lord.

Al Roth unexpectedly dropped into
the annual tournament of the Amer
lean Contract Bridge League held
in Syracuse last week and captured
the classic event of the meet, the
open pair championship. He was
Washington's lone representative at
the tourney, and because of the alb
sence of his favorite partner, Oscar
j. Brotman. who is in the military
service, had not anticipated taking
part in the tournament. Making a
late change in his plans, however,
he took on Tobias Stone as his
partner and won the event.
Mr.. Roth was co-winner two years
ago with Mr.. Brotman as his part
ner of the masters team of four
championship and has also won sew
eral lesser matches in the big ma
tional tournaments. The open pair
championship was a four session
event starting with u pairs. Dur
ing the first three rounds half of
them were eliminated and the finals
were played with 80 qualifying pairs.
Mr.. Roth and Mr.. Stone started in
tt,e last session five and one-half
points behind Waldemar Won Zedt-
Witz and Harry j. Fishbein, but
overcame their handicap and won
in a close finish. Mr.. Stone had
remarked at the outset of the
match that he and Mr.. Roth would
win it and they were able to make
good on his prophecy.
At the close of the Syracuse meet
the following officers of the Ameri-
can Contract Bridge League were
elected for the ensuing year: Presi-
dent, Albert H. Morehead; vice
presidents, Capt. Richard Skinner
Of Massachusetts,. Earl Ackerman of
California and Benjamin M. Colder
of Pennsylvania. William E. Nc
Kenney was reelected executive
secretary for the 14th consecutive
time and Ralph Gresham of East
Orange, N. j., was chosen treasurer.
Mr.. Morehead who is widely
known in bridge circles throughout
the country is a native of Chat
tanooga, Tenn, and is only 33 years
of age. He has long been associated
with Ely Culbertson and is also
bridge editor of the New York
Times He succeeds Morgan Howard
Of California. Mr.. Morehead will
also serve as chairman of the Execu-
tive Committee of the league. sue
ceeding Waldemar Won Zedtwitz in
that capacity.
Capt. Russell j. Baldwin for many
years the tournament director of
the league was given the life men,
bership award signified by the silver
membership card. Capt. Baldwin is
now in the Army and has been sue
ceeded as tournament director by
A. M. Sobel.
Word has been received that A.
M. Gruenther, whom Washington
players claim rs one of their own
since he played here frequently
when attached to nearby military
posts, has been made a brigadier
general and is now attached as chief
Of staff to 1t. Gen. D. D. Eisenhower
in North Africa.
The members Of the National
Press Club group of players had as
their guest at the game on Monday
night Mr. Addison, who is attached
to the British Purchasing Commits
sion and member of the famous
Portland Bridge Club of London.
Winners of the clubs prize were
Everett c. Watkins and Mrs. Ida
Terrant. Mr.. and Mrs. Oliver Hoyem
were second and Ned Brooks and j.
B. Latta were third. Mr.. Brooks
and Mr.. Latta also won the luck
prize.
The Hamlin foursome, which for
the past six weeks has held top place
in the team-of-four series of the
Federal Bridge League, made a
slight increase in its lead as result
of the game on Tuesday night at
the Wardman Park Hotel. The
Skyrockets. who are the runners
made no gain and the next three
teams, the Mixed Party, the Fed
erals and the Yankee Clippers, re-
manned practically stationary.
The game next Tuesday night will
be the only one before the sectional