Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-23
LOADED BALLS THE THEME
Bowles' Congress win Probably Change
Rule as to Weighting.
DECLARES SPORT IS BEING ELEVATED
Delegates Claim Alley Fiends Are Now
Finding Most Recruits in Higher
Glasses, Making Bowling
Gentleman's Game.

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 22.-Delegates to
the American Bowling congress are arriv-
ing on every train. Fifteen hundred Wis
itors are expected, and one half that num-
Der is already here.
Representatives of Louisville, Cleveland
and Milwaukee have been here all day to
urge their claims for the next national
congress. Chicago and New York came in
this evening, the latter delegation being
headed by DR.. Timm, Thomas Curtiss and
Joseph Thumb.
Mayor Bookwalter, president OF the con-
gress, has surrounded himself with a local
reception committee OF two hundred which
Is devoting its time to receiving the ar
rivals. Cleveland headquarters have been
established at the Denison and Louisville
and Milwaukee are at the Grand.
Mayor Bookwalter, ex-Maypr Taggart.
Mayor Granger of Louisville and Mayor
Rose of Milwaukee held a conference this
afternoon, which was attended by a num-
ber OF prominent bowlers. There was con-
graduation over the fact that the congress
this year has brought an apparent spirit
of compromise among the delegates, and
It is believed there win be no split in the
national organization. Short addresses
made called attention to the high class OF
men the congress has brought together. 1t
was stated the delegates are, as a rule,
business men, and Of higher grade than has
generally attended former congresses. This
was taken as an indication that the sport
is being elevated, and that bowling has be-
come strictly a gentleman's game.
The congress will meet tomorrow at 9,
The adoption OF a constitution will be the
first business. 1t is proposed to change the
constitution to make the basis Of represen-
tation by states instead of by tournaments
in order to recognize state organizations.
AS to the use of loaded balls, President
Bookwalter says the decision tomorrow will
probably be a compromise allowing loaded
balls. but limiting the weight TO seventeen
and one-half pounds.
I'VE have legislation as to size" he said
''and now We will fix the weight. Wooden
balls weighing from twelve TO fifteen pounds
have been weighted to twenty and twenty
two pounds. l think the result will be to
allow any kind Of wooden ball loaded II de-
sired up to seventeen pounds. At the con-
gress this week loaded balls will have an
advantage as the pins are all new, but q
disadvantage from the fact that the pins
are three pounds two ounces instead oi
three pounds four ounces"
the next congress will take place on Thurs
day. Cleveland, Milwaukee and Louisville
are after tho congress Milwaukee's claims
will be presented by Charles f. Moll who
heads the delegation. Louisville will be
urged by Judge Thomas r. Gordon OF that
city.
The executive committee met tonight and
decided TO limit the weight Of the balls tC
sixteen pounds. This is considered a com
promise.
Balls must be Of wood, but can be loaded
to sixteen pounds at the option OF ths
player A we'll favored proposition will
come up tomorrow for a change In the con-
stitution TO have the national congress
hereafter composed OF one delegate from
each team instead OF one delegate and two
aiternates from each league as the present
congress Is composed. II lie argued that
this formation will give more delegates
more revenue and more interest. II will
/ probably be adopted.