NET PROFITS

Hellen Wills sells doubtful sketches. Tilden alternates between the newspaper and the stage. John Doeg leaves college for the Georgia Mecca of the ranking tennis players, and Dr. Hardy, President of the California Lawn Tennis Association, declares that the game is "going to make bums out of our tennis players." Combined with these evidences of dubious amateurism is the announcement of the United States Association to the effect that $45,000, a record amount, will be distributed pro rata to district bodies this year.

Such is the case of the amateur tennis players, a case that is hard to defend on any grounds, since it is not at all clear why those who are good at one thing must shun it as a visible means of support, relying on the power of their names for assistance in what they do wretchedly. Love of the game is often cited as the motive for this mesalliance, but it is a love without restraint that advocates a March training camp, a love of the Davis Cup rather than the game for which it stands.

The suggestion of Heywood Broun offers at least an intelligent solution, if not a panacea for tennis ills. To rate players as professional upon a basis of skill would do away with the problem of compensation, and the rank would be in the nature of a healthful prize; Helen Wills could then meet Lenglen on a salary basis with no questions asked; and young Doeg could resume his studies when his services were no longer needed in defense of America's athletic reputation.