Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-01
WORK FOR STADIUM
BY CITY, U. OFP.,NAVY
AND ARMY URGED
No-operation of Those Who
Would Reap Greatest
Benefits Declared Neces-
sary for Fastening of Start
on Project.

Corporation among University trustee,
the city of Philadelphia and the Arm,
and Navy Committee in planning
( srsat national stadium was suggesto,
toaay by George Il. Nitzsche, reglstra
OF the University Of Pennsylvania, wh,
announced yesterday plan for &
stadium to accommodate 100000. tn,
treatest ampitheatre in the country. II
not In the world.
Ihough Mr.. Nitzsche himself outline,
the plan OF the stadium today. a repor
q tne result of his tours of inspection
20 other stsdiums may be brought befor,
the University trustees within a shorl
time Prominent architects have discussed
stAdlum plans with him, though thus far
no sketches have been made
The Army and Navy Committees pro-
posal is the construction OF a stadium
10 accommodate 40, 600 persons Details
viii be made public Thursday at the
meeting of the Jovlan League at the
Hotel Adelphia. That there Is every
Likelihood the Army and Navy Commit
tee and University officials will cooper
nte In planning for the stadium was the
belief today among those acquainted
with the status OF the plans.
It is hardly to be hoped that the
University trustees could build the
stadium unasslsted." said Mr. Nitzsche.
and for that reason cooperation with
the city and members OF the Army and
Navy Committee would be desirable I
have visited several sites and feel there
will not be any great difficulty in ac
quirfng land for the stadium. The plans
have not been worked out in detail thus
far. made the investigation of other
stadiums on my own initiative and there
has been no decision by the University
trustees yet ! will report the result Of
my investigation as soon as the trus-
tees desire to hear one"
CITY WOULD DERIVE BENEFITS.
Irrespective Of the national aspect of
the advantages the stadium would offer,
according to those acquainted with the
plans, are the benefits Philadelphia would
derive from having an athletic centre
within easy reach of all sections and pro-
viding a playground for the city and the
state.
Fourth of July games, National Guard
drills. police and fire department games,
Boy Scout activities would find an open
institutions awaiting them in the new
stadium.
Besides these there would be unrivaled
accommodation for folk dances and pub
lie school callsthenlc drills. Every ex-
hibitIon conducted in the open air could
take advantage OF a great ampltheatre
providing unexcelled facilities for seating
spectators.
Not least in the consideration of the
athletic activities which would find ac-
commodation in stadium would be the
world series baseball games. That Phila-
delphians could be assured of ALL the
seats they wanted during world series
when the stadium is built was the state
ment of Governor John X. Tener, presi-
dent of the National Commission. Not
only a world series i'm which Philadel-
phia team was one of the contestants.
but world series which would be brought
to the great national stadium from the
farthest parts of the United States would
be likely II the great amphitheatre were
built. according to baseball enthusiasts.
II think 1 may say. as president of
The National Commission, that the worlds
series would be played in a Philadelphia
stadium" said Governor Tener. "a stad-
um would be splendid. I think the idea
4 great one. Games and meets of every
sort would md Ideal accommodation. An !
assured annual Army and Navy game |
tould be counted upon, I should think"
\ Governor Tener's confidence that the |
,rmy and Navy athletic directors would |
ID longer encounter difficulty In choosing |
philadelphia for their annual game was |
disseminated by officers connected with |
Se two academies. A stadium providing |
Gcommodation for the great following |
;, both teams would remove the last |
iuse of objections, they declared.
THLETIC LEADERS INDoRsE PLAN.
The plan for a national ampitheatre. the |
"'estest for athletic events in the United |
lhates and an institution that would give |
liladelphia a unique place among cities.
pre- enthusiastically indorsed by officials |
the American Athletic Union, baseball /
telders and sporting experts. They said
I'bvould make Philadelphia the first city .
athletics In the country and give a
! Ance 10 have the olympic games held !
-hf Philadelphia in 1916. 4
j. though handicapped by lack OF facili- /
!. Philadelphia now leads the country \
prtits interest in athletics. according 10
,rseral experts. including William W. |
3per. formerly head coach at Princeton
ilversity. But so far as equipment and |
Recommendations for crowds, who form /
?, basis Of all successful athletic com
:. tiles, Philadelphia Is very far behind 4
u Gimes.
ato er p, Carney, an ofieial OF the Amer
IT, Athletic Union,. said a few cities in
: Hunted States were worse on than i
r-rvidslphia IN their facilities for accom-
IA ting crowds.
e.ss 'adelphla certainly needs q stadium /
| trdiieds one badly" said Mr.. Carney. /
- ~. ..rs years behind the times so far Il
~ Ing care OF crowds goes The
ie XII and Navy game Is only one in
'du,t of the lack OF accommodation for
-aple who want 10 see athletics in
~ M. The one thing that can bring
ned needed change In conditions is
~ e. truefioR 0f q stadium such as
med by the Army and Navy /
sf5 = ~ or BY George r. Nietzehe, OF /
ant a..-ity OF Pennsylvania.
"a 70 .45I Ehere Is the kesnest interest
that ~. n philadelphia and through
|ass1oi4s I. -. the city II handicapped by
Aif tra accommodations fer the
ed and 4 overs Of sporting activities.
.rnfea. ~ Is far better equipped than
Tho proh The same % true OF nearly
re "a bslft re the East Great athletic
are ksepa iealihy interest IA athletics
heins tahlH q by adequate playing
an on thaa 8 have very few here The
fe hoored with cement. ana
4a broken bones for ambitious
=. .4A14AAai NeH York city there are
IS eontainius quaFteR-nils
= none ln Philadelphia
AaRIAGE LICENSES