Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-01
NATIONAL PARK BLEACHERs.
Mr.. WaEner Denies That the Num- be-
of Quarter Seats VIII BE Reduced,

Inc Star Is In receipt of several cOmmu-
nications concerning the extension and i'm
provement of the bleachers at the base ball
grounds, one correspondent declaring that
1.-The public is being badly misled for the
owners of the club are scheming to drive
the true and loyal everyday bleacherites
outside the park, almost to Howardtown."
1t is then explained that the short row
of fifty-cent seats at the right of the grand
stand Is being extended all the way down
the fence to point about opposite the po-
stion Of right fielder, and that the only
real "bleachers' remaining will be the row
constructed last spring near the score
board, where opera glasses are necessary
in order to witness the game''
Continuing, 1t Is set forth that the plan
outlined will result in a big falling off in
the attendance at the games particularly
on the bleachers, ard are regarded as the
most stanch and enthusiastic "rooters'' for
the home club.
When asked regarding the matter by a
Star reporter today, Mr.. j. Earl Wagner
stated his position as follows:
with reference to the changes made in
the seating arrangements at National
Park, 1 desire to say that these changes
were made necessary in order to conform
to the wishes of owners of visiting clubs,
who have complained that the accommo-
dations for our ffty-cent patrons were in
adequate, and that our seating capacity for
our twenty-fve-cent patrons was out of
proportion to that of other league cities
AS visiting clubs are entitled to one-half
the gate receipts, their desires were en-
titled to consideration. I finally determined
that would increase the seating accom-
mediation of our fifty-cent friends, but
would not decrease that of the bleachers
In order to do this 1T was necessary to
erect new seats to the east of the grand
stand, extending to a point south of fl, st
base, and to extend the bleacher seats to
the end of the playing grounds and circling
norehward where the score board stood.
will also erect new seats on the nor tn side
OF the grand stand. All Of the fifty-cent
seats will be under cover. BY this ar
rangement you will see that the bleachers
have been removed a little further away
from the diamond which, understand is
what is complained Of; yet the occupants
Will still have an uninterrupted and perfect
view of the diamond and field; in fact.
there is not bad seat upon the bleachers.
so far from discriminating against the
bleachers will say that we have provided
more and better seats for our twenty-five
except Philadelphia and Baltimore. the
latter city not exceeding us. The seating
capacity at Philadelphia for twenty-five
cent patrons is 1000; Baltimore, 1900; St
Louis, $500; Chicago, 300; New York
1850; Brooklyn, 1850: Cincinnati, $50:
Cleveland. 800; Louisville, 1909; Boston.
800; Pittsburg, 400, and Washington, 1000
Thus 1t is shown that Washington is ex-
ceeded only by Philadelphia, equaled by
Baltimore. and has a larger seating ca
pacity than all the other large cities for
this class of patrons.
Il cannot see what cause, just and fair
in Its character. our friends have for COM
plant. They surely do not expect to get
as choice seats and location for TWENTY-FIVE
cents as do those who pay fifty and seven
ty-fve cents, any more than they could ex-
pect to GO to a theater and in a twenty
nVe-cent seat get as much comfort and
luxury as those who pay from one to three
dollars From business standpoint this
is a proper view to take of it. 1 have al
ways tried to give my friends who have
accorded the club such generous patronage
the worth of their money.
1t was after many efforts that I was
enabled to offer free admission two days
each week to ladies' and it was effected in
this way. The question came up al one of
our league meetings with reference to Sun
day ball playing Mr.. Byrne of the Brook
lyn club and myself were, on principle op-
Posed, 10 II, and the clubs being SO evenly
divided, the votes of Byrne and myself
would settle the question. The western
people said to us that their patrons de-
manded Sunday ball. and if we refused our
consent 1t would seriously injure them
financially. Finally, agreed that if they
admission to ladies we would consent.
which they very willingly consented to do:
| and last season about 10000 ladies witnessed
our games without paying an admission
Zee Yet croakers and dissatisfied persons
are always seeking opportunity to find
fault. They never look for compensating
balances. Yet this is one of the inherent
privileges. and do not complain A bust
ness that has not life in 1t to engender
criticism or public interest would be
neither pleasant FOR profitable
Il will continue in the future, as in the
past, to make our visitors at our ball park
as comfortable as possible. l cannot do
more. l would not do less