The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-06-16
Polo Grounds for Both
Giants and Highlanders
By w. J. Macbeth

the spring of 1911. Erected Of
reinforced concrete and steel, the
structure proved correspondingly
costly. Before the foundations
were laid Mr.. Brush estimated a
$750,000 expenditure. 1t comes
from excellent authority that the
sum eventually proved far greater.
For unscrupulons under.o .ofticials-
perhaps the number should be held
to singular-taking advantage OF
Mr. Brush's Door health, let out
contracts irrespective OF bids at
seIf.proft and consequent disad-
vantage to the owner of the
Giants.
NET, calculating the cost OF
Brush stadium at no more
than S75o,0O0, we 6nd Mr.
Brush with a gigantic financial
proposition on his hands, That
sum. at the low rate Of per cent,
would earn S37,5oo annually. Be-
fore building his remarkable plant
il was necessary for the boss of
the Giants to take out thirty
years lease on his grounds from
the Coogan estate. The rent is said
to be $4,000 year. Wherefore,
before he makes one cent profit on
his Investment Mr.. Brush must
clear $7T,500 each season. That
sum doesu t cut great figure to
promoter blessed with such an ag-
gregation as McGraw's champion.
ship Giants. Yet there have been
years-and they may come again
when the Polo grounders found lit
tie in the treasury after paying
salaries, travelling expenses, rent
and Office help for a dull campaign.
Frank J. Farrell pays $4,000
yearly rent for the Hilltop. He
got the property, when it was prac
ticslly valneless, on ten years
lease. 1t cost him considerable
money to convert a hugh boulder
into a playing field, SO his rent al
together has not been as modest as
the lease figures would imply. Mr..
Farrell lease has almost expired
1t is up to bin to move, for the
landlord will not listen TO sane 6g-
ures, The property toat WAS made
valnable by the occupation of the
American League team is now a
mighty ine real estate proposition.
TOHN J. BRUSH has offered 10
rent his stadium TO Frank j.
- Farrell BY sucn IN arrange
ment both the Giants and High.
lardcrs would utilize the historic
Polo grounds. Such plan would
be quite feasible. FOR there have
heen no local major league con-
ficts for some years. IL is said
that Mr.. Brush is willing to lease
his grounds for half the rent he
PAYS, $4,000 a year Let u5 for
a moment consider the mutual ad-
vantage Of such an arrangement.
The annual expenses of Mr..
Brush would he considerably less
eued. Certainly the grounds would
be better advertised with both To-
cal teams playing there. and this
would result in better attendance
all round Mr.. Farrell would save
the expense Of building such
plant as the Polo grounds
boasts. For the DAYS OF wooden
stands have passed: it would be im-
possible to get permit for such IN
Greater New York, even If the
had not already realized
the advantage of lasting steel and
concrete. And then comes the mat
ter of cost and maintenance,
r TOW absurd it would be--if, IN
II deed. NIr. Farrell could rent
the Polo grounds at any
reasonable figure--for him TO go
TO the expense of building. 1t
would mean an outlay almost equal
to that of Mr. Brush; and such an
outlay for an amusement venture
that can he utilized only seventy
seven days out OF the 365 Mt the
most. How much ssner aud safer
to double up on the grounds already
There is nothing to prevent it
but stiff-neckod pride. II is whis-