Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1899-11-30


ably the most expensive pastime de-
vised for the entertainment Of modern
civilization. 1t is the sport OF the mul
timillionaires, for no others could as
sumo the financial burdens involved II
An entry for the great cup contest tina
stirs two nations to pitch Of ex
element equal to that OF a politica
crisis.
Public interest in other diversions
may be turned to profit by sportsmer
possessing capital, or at least the people
may be allowed TO share in the expense
Of providing amusement for them
selves. The horse shows, which have
Gor many years constituted the culmln-
ating event Of New York's social sea-
son, have paid enormous dividends
to the association Of wealthy connOis-
seurs of horsehesh who have been sue
cessful in bringing together the ultra
fashionable class and the general pub
lie for profit as well as pleasure. Grand
opera is another of society's never
falling diversions in which the public
is allowed to share the expense in ex-
change for places on the fringe OF the
exclusive circle Of seats reserved for
wealthy patrons OF musical art who
bring together the finest voices OF
Europe and the most discriminating
ears in America
International yacht racing affords
keen enjoyment to an infinitely larger
circle Of people than any OF the other
great popular amusements. Europe
and America wait for bulletins on the
results of the contests. Yet the cost of
the cup races is borne almost entirely
by half dozen wealthy enthusiasts
moved by patriotism and love Of sport.
For expenditures running well up
into seven figures there remain after
the decisive meeting a couple Of boats
valued at some thousands of dollars
and the cup, with an intrinsic value OF
few hundred The remainder has
been distributed largely for labor and
in paying dividends to vessel owners,
builders and others In independent
lines Of trade
AS to the racing yachts them selves,
from strictly utilitaran point of view
they are more ihan worthless The
proverbial white elephant never bur
daned his owners hands like one of
these costly marine toys An old
mariner looking at the Shamrock and
the Columbia at anchor the other day
remarked
What would poor man do with a
boat like that? He couldn't use her
He couldn't keep her. To turn her
around would cost money. He couldn't
even burn her for there's little to burn
on her, and she wouldn't bring much at
a sale"
Constant deterioration is in progress
in the costly metal used in the CON
struction of racing yachts. as recent
extensive repairs to the Defender wit
messed, and the earning capacity of
such a craft is nothing.
On the challenge for the Americas
cup has always fallen heavier burden
Of expenditure than on the defender.
by reason Of the conditions involved.
Year by year. with the introduction of
more costly features OF construction
and lavishuess in entertainment con-
nected with the races the burden has
grown heavier on both sides
This year the elements seem to have
eonspired 10 aid in the process of a
redistribution OF wealth to which
economists delight to point as the most
satisfactory result of such an expensive
contest. In every 'nuke" or failure Of
an attempt to race Boreas has literally
blown away money for the owners OF
the Columbia and the Shamrock. for
the regatta committee of the New York
Yacht club and for the spectators
over a space of three weeks the races
have been drawn out. while in favor.
able weather one week might have
been sufficient.
Sir Thomas Upton. owner of tn,
Shamrock has, without doubt. spen
more in his attempt to carry OFF tn,
Americas cup than has any previous
challenger. While he will not discuss
she details of this reliable estimates
are made by yacht men who hav
spent much time in company with tn
oilllSu uiliAloldlIe sportsman. One
these says that since his arrival here
on August IS Sir Thomas has expend
ed an average of $4,000 day. and tina
his total expenses for the season
sport are nearly million, These lg
ures may be regarded as conservative
The incidental expenses attendin
the Shamrock's part in the contest ar
increased by the cost Of fitting and rig
ging the British sloop, especially TO
an ocean voyage, ami OF bringing he
across the Atlantic. In addition. tn
entertainment of guests, as we'll as al
other expenses connected with the Col
Gmbia. is divided among number o
persons, while Sir Thomas defrays tn
shaTlenger's expenses unaided
Most of the $500 a day which 81
Thomas has been spending is gon,
into American pockets as an examina
ton of his requirements shows.
He is supporting, in the first place
not one boat, but 4 whole fleet of yes
sells, most of them having been in us,
continuously since the Shamrock wa.
first placed in commission abroad fol
the entire season of about four months
Chief among them is his flagship. tn,
Est.fn snA stao -, ,s,,l,tf aAA,.g 49,,