Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-04
CAPITAL FAVORED
ASSCENE OF GAME
Army-Navy Foot Ball Classic
May Be Held Here
in 1914.
AMPLE ACCOMMODATIONS
NOW ARE BEING PLANNED

Contest Might Be Played on Ellipse
or in Proposed Park
Stadium.
Omcial and social Washington alike is
glad that there is to be no break in
the annual foot ball game between the
Army and Navy teams, and the fact that
the field Of contest is to be changed this
year from Philadelphia to New York city
encourages the general belief that the
classic contest may be held in the Ma
tional Capital next year. Practically
every official approached on the subject
today agreed that Washington is the
ideal place for the game because of the
semi-official status of the game and the
fact that the largest and most promi-
nent personnel of the attendance comes
from this city.
Heretofore the only objection to this
city as the scene OF the contest was that
1t did not possess an athletic field of suf-
ficient capacity to accommodate the great
throngs that always attend the Army and
Navy game. 1t now is argued. however.
that there is an excellent prospect that
that difficulty may shortly be overcome
either by the erection Of q large stadium
in East Potomac Park or by the erection
of temporary stands IN the ellipse south
of the White House.
Encouraged by Wilson.
Tentative plans for the development
of the newly opened section Of Poto-
mac Park contemplates its use mainly as
an athletic field for all outdoor sports, with
modern stadium large enough to accom-
modate just such events as the an
nual Army and Navy game. Col Spen-
Ger Cosby, the engineer officer in
charge Of public buildings and grounds
favors the plan, and. it is said. he has
received encouragement for it's promo
ton from the President, the Secretary
of War and many members Of Con-
gress. 1T is expected that official ac-
ton in the direction of obtaining the
necessary sanction of Congress to the
plan will be taken within the next few
months.
In the event of favorable action by the
legislative body, it is declared, a suitable
gridiron could be laid out on the park
grounds not far from the Pennsylvania
railroad in ample time for the Army and
Navy game in the fall Of 1914. In the
event that Congress fails to make the
necessary provision for the park stadium.
it is pointed out that it would not be
difficult to provide for the erection OF
House ellipse.
Favor National Capital.
Although neither Secretary Daniels nor
Acting Secretary Breckenridge cared to
discuss today the possibilities of the fu-
ture in the matter, each privately indi-
Gated his preference for Washington as
the best city for the game in case the
necessary facilities were provided.
1t developed today that the agree
ment reached by the heads of the " ar
and Navy Departments with the attn
letic committees of the Military and
Naval academies yesterday was simply
that the game this year should be held
on the Polo Field at New York city,
leaving the question Of the place for
next years game and subset;uent
games open for future consideration.
In fact, it was made clear by the rep
resentative of the Navy Department
that the selection of New York as the
place for this years game was wholly
without prejudice to the selection OF
Philadelphia or some other place for
future games.
omcials Kept Away.
AS strong argument in favor of hav-
ing the games played in Washington IN
stead of elsewhere. it was stated that
it is extremely difficult for the higher
officials of the government to leave the
capital during the busy fall season. New
York being more inconvenient in that
respect than Philadelphia. and 1T was
added that probably the student bodies
of both service institutions would prefer
to visit Washington on such occasions
than to go to either Philadelphia or New
York.
tend the game because he cannot spare
the time necessary to make the trip to
Philadelphia or New York, but would un-
doubtedly attend if the game were held In
this city. The same is true to g. greater or
less degree with respect to other prOml-
nent officials, the large army and navy
contingent in this city and the members
of their families.
Cosby Outlines Plans.
Plans for the athletic field and stadium
in East Potomac Park were outlined by
Col Cosby. He plans to make it attrac-
tive to all Washingtonians. and believes
that it will fill a need long, felt by those
who have been unable to leave the city
In the summer. He points out that Wnlie
Rock Creek Park is a beautiful and eX-
cellent park for the man or woman VINO
wants to get back to nature, 1t IS DIM
cult of access to a large number OF per-
sons especially those in the southern ana
eastern parts of Washington.
Potomac Park does not I'll the need,
he thinks. because it is SO formal, ana
has provisions for only few amuse-
ments.
The new park, containing 32sk acres,
would be quite large enough to proVlde
amusements that will appeal to All.
Standing out most prominently IN the
plans. perhaps, are the large picnic groves
where great shade trees. free from unuer-
brush, would lure the families or WASH
ington during the hot summer days.
Open spaces between the groves Woulu
leave room for any number of base ball
diamonds and tennis courts, croquet
grounds, public golf course, Wading
pool, an outdoor gymnasium. q place Tor
band concerts. lily pond. which IN WIN
ter will become skating rink, ana
large amount of space where concessions
may be granted for amusements OF
more artificial nature, such as nylne
horses and shoot the chutes.
Plans for Stadium.
All this would be separate from the
large stadium at which not only foot ball
games could be played, but track meets
held. The stadium as planned at pres
ent. will be in the form of an ellipse
with one en- dopen. Plans provide Tor a
~lr IL lor