The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-02-03


 With Congressman
 Hill in Washington Letter to President Asking
 Him to Head Wild West
 Show is Nationally Dis
 cussed-A Leading Topic
 in Washington Political
 Circles-Are Hutchinsons
 Behind Professor?
 Following a prolonged conversation the nature of which he refuses to de- clare, Prof. James M. Atlas today in- dignantly denied the stories sent out from Washington that his offer to President Roosevelt of s3O0,0O0 for a 30 weeks engagement at the head of Wild West show is not bona fide.
 Prof. Atlas was exceedingly vexed,
 
 against his good faith, but with the printed statement, attributed to Con- gressman Hill. to the effect that Atlas is an obscure man.
 Why said Atlas. tour Congress- man may not know me, but can say without fear of being charged with egotism that I am better known than he is. He is a local celebrity. I am r Ynit O Q fair sporting man and an honorable business man. My offer to the Pres ident is a business offer. I mean it. The moment it is accepted I will agree to lodge a certified check to cover the amount of my guarantee"
 Most people believe that the offer IS seriously made, and that Atlas will make good, if the President gives him the opportunity. Insiders know that he is on the most intimate terms with Fred and William Hutchinson, both of whom are experienced circus men, and one of whom is now i'll a situation where a large opportunity would be to him, while it is thought that the other may be at the end of the season.
 In fact the weak spot in Prof, Atlas is not the financial end Of it, but the doubt that President Roose- welt will even consider the offer. But, it is thought, that if the President is convinced that it is not a joke, and honestly made, he may make a re- ply.
 It is certain that Prof. Atlas offer 1aS come to the attention of the Pres dent through the Washington news papers, and also perhaps through Con- sressman Hill. The Washington Press had a story to the effect that the Con- sressman would communicate Atlas offer to the President. It is believ- ed the publication made it incumbent 1pon MT. Hill to deny that he has any such task, and that le has entered a denial.
 AS a matter of fact MT. Hill never vas consulted, and Prof. Atlas de- .lareS that he never gave out an inter- 7iew authorizing a statement that the had been consulted. It is believed that Prof. Atlas con- yersation over the telephone with MT. Hill, the latter at his apartments in he Burlington, and the former in his lotel, had something to do with this ,hase of the question. At any rate, it is believed that Con- i ressnan Hill has distinctly refused o take the matter up with MT. Roose- 1 'elt. Atlas takes his offer seriously. He as figured an investment in the pro- !
 
 100000. He claims that this is dou- i le the value of the plant of any Wild Vest show now on the road. He estimates an average attendance f 40, 900 persons a day, with a gross Intake from side shows and reserved eats, on the basis of 50 cents for gen. ral admission, of $30,0O0 a day, or ense, including MT. Roosevelt's salary f $1O.000 a week, and the cost of two rivate cars for the President and his ntourage, he places at $5O,000 a week. MT. Atlas is careful to say that his rimary object is not the accumulation lucre, but to give the people of -merica an educational show of value l giving the young the right kind of leals. That he has a shrewd eye to rofits, however, is shown by the care rith which he has figured out net arning of $130,000 a week. which -ould amount in 30 weeks to 8, 300, 900. Prof. Atlas cannot be induced to see nat the President will not accept an fer to head a circus.
 In the meantime his proposition has ecome a national theme, and the of the United States are and cartooning the pro- ect, while it is a leading topic in diplomatic and political rcles A sample of the talk that is ping round, IS the TOIIOW1nS! D DATLAS OFFER. ??????? The mayor said that from the ad- , The following is from the Baltimore un. Feb. ?: Col James M. Atlas. distinguish , snowman of Bridgeport. Conn.,. rises
 place MT. Roosevelt in nominat on ( heir and successor to Buffalo Bill. knows. of course. that Bill ( still far from dead. and so it may ( em a bit indelicate to be discussing le future of his dynasty. but all the, me a perceptible leSsening of his l I gor and beauty drives home the elancholy fact that tines has begun
 wither him and before long lum- lgo will lay him low. What he needs I a trusty aid or deputy, capable of t astering his ma gnificent art and fit ( d for carrying it on after his retire I ent-a coadjutor. as it were. with the t pht of succession. It is for this high S ice that Colonel Atlas nominates MT. r 1osevelt; and. being a business man, S s speech of nomination takes the I rm of column of figures. That is f say, he offers the President $900,OO0 l. cash for a 30 weeks tour at the head 8 Wild West show. We believe that Colonel Atlas offer ' that of a sane and honorable show an. On the surface. no doubt, it may am eccentric. if not und 'gnifed for
 ex-Presidert to appear in the show = lg, but moments thought we be- ve, will convince any fair man that 5 act in itself is not disgraceful Is s unmanly to brave the churlish hoofs :, a bucking mustang? Is it indecent