The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-24
BOATWR|GHT SENDS
LEAGUE FIGURES
Insists That Equitable Schedule
Has Not Affected Finances
of Organization.
THINKS WEATHER HAS HURT.
Richmond, Portsmouth, Peters
burg and Roanoke Decrease; q
Seaside Towns Improve.
THINKS WEATHER HAS HURT
NY GUS MALnEnr.

Though unwittIhgly. 1t appears that
wo have done the Virginia League. a.
gross Injustice through continued repe-f
tition of the statement that tho cuut-
table schedule, first adopted here, SUR
seQuently amended and finally matlo &
the official program of the magnates at /
n gathering In Norfolk. would cost tho
league pretty penny before the sea-
son came to q close. 1t also seems y
that our comment to the effect that
the league was unstable and that 1t
could not continue to the end of the
playing period with the present cir
cult Is erroneous. All OF this we gath
or from President j. 10. Boatwright.
who writes at some length to correct
us In our deductions.
Mr. Boatwrlght is good enough to
furnish tho data regarding receipts.
or rather the money paid visiting
clubs by the six citos of the circuit
through May 16. and. likewise. the
figures for the Same number Of games
played last season. We do not know
whether or not we are at liberty to
print these figures; at any rate, we
shall not take the liberty unless FUR
tistical array Is that Richmond has
lost about 500 in fourteen games
played at home: Petersburg approxi-S
mately $50 In thirteen games at home:
Roanoke S14 In twelve games Mt homc;..
Portsmouth S110 In fourteen games.
Newport News and Norfolk have gain
ed $115 anu $50. respectively. In their
games ut homo. making the loss to-
the visiting teams for the entire cir
cult as against 1913 receipts. approni-s
matcly 500.
1919 WAS MOST PROFITABLE
YEAR IN LEAGUES HISTORY,
We are further Informed by Mr..
Boatwright that 1913 was by far the
best year the Virginia League has ever.
hnd. n statement that We accept with
out argument, as Mr.. Boatwright has
the figures very probably at hand. :
He adds that the present season has
been rather prolific in postponed games.
there having been Ave. rs against.
three last year, and, as a clinching ar
gument. he cites the untoward wealth
or conditions existing up to tho pres
ent time this season. All OF which Is
excellent argument In support OF the
equitable schedule. s.et,s
Quoting from Mr.. Boatwright's let
ter: II noticed In your paper recently.
several articles concerning the condi-
tion of the Virginia League, which +,
really do not think you should have
published without being posted. for
the articles are certainly incorrect and
unfair to the league. You know
have always been glad to furnish the
papers information at nil times, but
publications OF this nature are not
only unfair to the league. but do
your paper harm also" After refer
ring to weather conditions, to which
we have already alluded, Mr.. Boat
wright adds: I'm addition to this tho
Virginia League has In my hands the
gum OF $4,000, a thing not known be-.
fore In this league I feel sure that
you did not maliciously publish these.
articles. but think that at times YOU
are too anxious to make copy at the
expense OF the league"
In one instance, at least, Mr. Boat
wright Is correct In his assumption
we have never stated facts In connec-
ton with the league maliciously. but
we have religiously stated facts. Nors
have we been too anxious for copy,
writing copy Just for copy Is by no
we have been very anxious to let the
public know conditions In tho league
as we see them. 81
NEWPORT NEWS AND NORFOLK Ga
SHOW REAL INCREASE
We have always stated that Newport
News and Norfolk were showing a SUBJ.
stantial Increase over last season. The
figures presented by Mr.. Boatwright
prove this. Norfolk and Newport News
arc leading the league In the per-
centage column. We stated that PEI
tersburg. Roanoke Portsmouth and
Richmond would show decided fall
ing OFF. and this Is shown by Mr. Boat
wrights figures.
Further, we still believe that these
four cities will continue to show a de-
felt ms compared with 1913 and n def
cit increasing at n surprising ratio as;
the season advances, though Richmond
viii, rs always outdraw every city in
tho circuit. This condition will ba1
made considerably worse should Rich
mond. Norfolk or Newport News be- un-
Continued on Second Pase.5 q,