merlcan• enclng• One of the pleasant duties of the Presi­ Force and, if approved, we will ask local dent is to extend on annual greeting to groups to render assi~tance at nearby the membership, This is my first oppor­ bases; the fencers organized at these tunity to thank you for the many ex­ bases will establish now Divisions or will pressions of confidence and to discuss with become part of existing Divisions depend­ you what I consider to be our present ing upon their location, A concerted ef­ situation and the program we should fol­ fort must be made to bring the high low, school fencer into the AF.L.A; the time We have just hod considerable discus­ spent teaching these youngsters wi II not sion about a constitutional amendment­ reap a full harvest unless we bring them perhaps more than was necessary, Both into the League and cement their inter­ sides were sincere and now that the est far the future, The magazine and question has been resolved I am certain special competitions should help ta ac­ that the decision will be accepted in good complish this, A similar effort must be grace, We must always encourage free directed at the colleges, Y,M,C.A.'s, and and full discussion of important local or other clubs. national issues before any action is taken; Internationally we have earned COn­ as sportsmen we should be able to do so siderable prestige through our competitors without rancor. My predecessor, whom I and officials. The Pan American Games have known intimately for quite some of 1955 and the Olympic Games in 1956 time, has succeeded in creating a closer present the opportunity to enhance our fellowship between our widely scattered prestige; we must start immediately to groups; this understanding and goodwi II train the candidates for these Games. must be preserved and developed, The Squads in each weapon will be given a establishment of American Fencint four long-range training program so that the years ago has helped a great dea I in rigorous training of the teams during the this respect and we must insure its con­ 1955-56 seasons will not be a sudden, tinued publication. hysterical and unnatural process. Although the membership of the These are our most urgent tasks as I League has remained static, reports indi­ see them, In both local and national cate a slight increase in the number of affairs we must be more sensitive to new competitions and competitors in the Divi­ ideas, We must encourage younger fenc­ sion and Sectional level; representation ers to take an active part in administra­ at the National Championships these last tive matters and we must not hesitate twa years has been especially good, In to ,experiment, The experience of our old­ this, one of our primary functions, we er members will guide and temper the might be tempted to say we had succeed­ impatience of the young ones, but we ed admirably were it nat for the knowl­ must recognize that a proposal is not edge that the general increase in fencing dangerous or impractical merely because activity outside the framework of the it has not been tried before. A,F,L.A, has been tremendous. One of Your National Officers, Division Chair­ our main objectives at this time must be men and other elected representatives to bring into the League a much greater will do everything in their power to im­ portion of the active fencers in the coun­ prove the AF,L.A and I know you will try and for this task the continued coop­ give them your support. On their behalf eration of our amateur and professional I extend to you aur sincerest wishes for teachers is essential. A comprehensive a pleasant fencing season. program has been proposed to the Ai r -Jose de Capriles Vol. 5 October, 1953 No.1 2 AMERICAN FENCING OCTOBER 1953 JllllEHtCJlll FElltJll!J Official Organ of the Amateur Fencers League of America Publishing Office Board of Editors Editorial Office W. L. Osborn, Publisher R. Goldstein M, Tishman 5 Brook Manor 1712 Grand Central Terminal T. Jaeckel L. 5haff Pleasantville, N. Y. New York 17, N. Y. M. de Capri!es, Chairman Contributing Staff E. Carfagno, D. Every, ). Flynn, D. Friedman, H. Hayden, R. Kaplan, F. Linkmeyer, P. Mokler, L. Olvin, M. Rothman, C. Schmitter, D. S. Thompson, H. Von Buskirk, and all Division Secretaries, Membership dues in the A,F.L,A. include a year's subscription, Subscription to non­ members is $3, in U. S,; $4. foreign. Published October, December, February, April, June and August. The opinions expressed in signed articles reflect the personal views of the writers and not necessarily of American Fencing or th A.F.L,A. No anonymous articles accepted. Application for entry as second closs motter is pending. How About It??? The season is about to start and again would like to remind you to look over your equipment. Are you still fencing with DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE IS NOVEMBER 15, 1953 a beat-up mask? Is your uniform well blessed wi th hales? Then why nat renew them NOW? Don't forget the newspapers love to give us publicity . when a Mastiopaolo Returns NOTICE fencer is sent to the hospital. And hun­ Joe Mastropaalo, the first American dreds of timid souls drop the sport with­ ever to study at the Civilian Fencing Under the basic agreement governing out knowing how it happened. the management of American Fencing, Teachers' School of France's renowned policy decisions are mode by a board Please play safe!! You are doing your­ National Institute of Sports, has returned ,~If conSisting of the elected national of­ a favor as well as giving your oppo­ to his home in Brooklyn as an honor nent peace of mind. You will fence bet­ ficers of the A.F.L.A. and the Editor graduate of the School and expects to and Publisher, The policy board has de­ ter and have more confidence. start his professional career in the near cided to grant Jose de Capriles a leave How about it? future. Mr. Mastropaolo has pointed for of absence from his position as Editor -W. L. Osborn the fencing teacher's profession since he during his term of office as President of the League, and to assign his edi­ FOR THE RECORD was discharged from the Ar';'y in 1 946. torial duties to a Board of Editors. The Women's Metropolitan Individual He majored in physical education at composition of the Board of Editors wi!! The results of the women's J 953 metropoli­ Brooklyn College, graduating in 1950. be announced in the masthead and tan individual foil championship hove now He taught 6th grade for a year to sup­ will be re-examined from time to time been received. Final standings: (1) Dione Mill­ plement his G. I. benefits, and then took in order to insure efficient operation stein, FC 4/1; (2) Grace Acel, 55, 3:/2, 16/17 the stiff two-year course for fenCing in keeping with established policy, (defeated Dalton 4-3 on fence-off); (3) Made­ teachers at the French Institute, the line Dalton, FC. 3/2, 16/17; (4) Ida Balint, Saltus, 2/3, 17 t.r.; (5) Eve Cohen, 55, 2/3, successor of the world famous Joinville 18 t.r.; (6) Dolly Funke, FC, 1/4. School of Gymnastics and Fencing. The school program colis for training 14 or An ad m American Fencing Roger F. Jones, chairman of the West­ 15 hours doi Iy except Sunday, when com­ ern New York Division, was married on petitions are held beginning at 8 a.m. reaches fen c er s throughout the September 19 to Miss Caryl Reisgen of and ending at 8 or 9 p.m. Mr. Mastro­ Yea dan, Pennsylvania. Heartiest Can" paolo also competed in the World Cham­ cottntry. Write us for rates today. gratulations! pionships at Brussels this past summer, in order to observe at first hand the technique and tactics of the top-flight FOR SAFElY - ECONOMY amateurs in all weapons. Finest SERVICE Qua/ity . , . .. American Fencing is proud to congrat­ from Coast to Coast ulate Mr. M~stropaolo for his intelligent Tai/ored Perfection it's preparation for his chosen profession, and wishes him the best of success. In our • "GRECO" opinion, he can't miss. UNIFORMS and GLOVES FENCING -M. A. de C. EQUIPMENT BY • S. ZUCKER Outstanding in quality and technical perfection Wrjte o. 'Phone Write for free information and catalog: Eastern Office: 4 J East 22nd Street, 3323 Avenue N, Brooklyn, N. Y. New York 10, N. Y. ESplanade 7 -2808 OCTOBER 1953 AMERICAN FENCING 3 By RALPH GOLDSTEIN, Secretary .. .. Elule Changes .. .... National Rankings The Board of Governors has fixed the following National Rankings for 'the Governors, to visiting members of the The Board of Governors has adopted 1953 -54 season: F.I.E. the following changes in the Rules. It is Women suggested that each member note the Rule 87 Unless otherwise specifically I. Paul Sweeney, Michigan specific changes in his Rules Book. announced in the schedule the first round 2. Mrs. Maxine Mitchell, S. Cal. of the championship competitions, team 3. Mrs. Diane Millstein, N.Y. Rule 14 (b) Sectional Championships and individual, shall be held by the raund­ 4. Miss Madeline Dalton, N.Y. include the AIIEastern, Midwest, Pacific robin or pool method, but byes may be 5. Mrs. Sollye Chambers, Michigan Coast and Southwest inter-divisional grcnted at the discretion of the Bout 6. Mrs. Eve Cohen Siegel, N.Y.