Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-30
GEORGE F. NITZSCHE
PROPOSES STADIUM
ContInucd from Pare one

Continued from Page One
Is tho only recreation ground the Uni
versity possesses. Yale has an athletic
ground of more than so acres and Har-
ward and Michigan nearly as large.
In view Of the war now gripping nearly
all OF Europe, II is almost certain that
the olympic games, scheduled for Berlin
In 1916, will come to America. Nearly
every big city In this country will be n
candidate for the honor of holding the
gnmcs, and II Is certain that half dozen
cities would be willing to subscribe no
less than half million dollars to obtain
the games All Philadelphia needs Is the
stadium.
since various civic bodies are now con-
siderinC the construction of n stadium.
tho chances are that they will get to-
gether on the proposal advanced in behalf
OF the University The stadium could be
gotten ready before the fall of 1915 and
some sort of assurance for immediate
action would need to be taken to obtain
the Army and Navy game for this city
next year and for every year thereafter.
According to the present agreement be-
tween the Army and Navy, the Army has
the option OF selecting the place for play
ing the game next year. The army has
been holding out for more seats and for
that reason has been advocating New
York. II the new stadium could be as
gured at once, 1t is believed the Army
would consent TO play here next year
and that both academies would agree to
play here for long term of years.
In speaking of the proposed stadium Mr..
Nltzscho. who was manager of the last
four or five Army and Navy games played
In Philadelphia. said:
"Publlc-spirited Philadelphlans have
frequently within the past ten years ad-
vocuted the building of a large stadium,
While they have been considering and de-
batting about the feasibility OF such an
undertaking Harvard has built one with
n seating capacity of almost $1,000; Yale
and Princeton have followed suit with
stadiums equally as large; as have many
other communities. Even Tacoma, Wash.
boasts OF n stadium with a seating ca
paclty almost double that of Franklin
Field Why Is It that Philadelphia is so
frequently behind In the race for big
things. and not taking advantage of op-
portunities until long after other commu-
mites have carried out well plans and pro-
jects which had their origin I'm Philadel-
phia. Boston. New Haven will be attract
ing audiences of 10000 to 100000 when
Philadelphia will still be making siren
uous efforts to get stadium seating half
that number"
Although not speaking officially. Mr.
Nitzsche stated that he believed PhIla-
delphia again might have the opportunity
OF getting the Army and Navy game
here annually provided suitable stadium
seating from $1,000 to 10000 could be
erected by next fall.
THE academic atmosphere of grounds
like Franklin Field or any college ath-
letic f1eld," he continued. add greatly
to the enjoyment Of any amateur exhi-
bition OF sport. Should, therefore. such
stadium be built In Philadelphia I
would advocate its construction on n plot
OF ground adjoining the botanic gardens
of the University.
No site Is more easily accessible from
all parts OF the city by electrics, elevated.
automobile or railroads. II would be by
far much more advantageous site than
any that could be chosen In Falrmount
Park. Aside from this. 1t would give to
the cIty's great University stadium the
equal of any In the world. and an addi-
tional recreation ground which she now
needs SO badly. 1t could, OF course. be
freely used for many purposes such as
historic pageants. open-air plays, civic
fairs and demonstrations. etc, the inter-
collegiates. ard possibly the Olympics in
1916 now that they are not likely 10 be
staged in Germany.
THE site have In mind Is the Tavine
stadium In an unused portion of the
Woodlands Cemetery grounds, on land
which would have little value for any
thing else, except at great cost / have
frequently advocated this plan since
1911 when / was asked to make sug-
gestions 20 provide the ever-inereasing
demand for additional seats.
"A stadium could be built on this site,
which would be an architectural monu-
ment, and which would seat with COM
fort. and so that all ould see. at least
100000 Because OF the natural ravne
which is already 40 to 50 feet deep. COM
paratiysly little excayating would have
to be done.
The annual expense for repairs and
maintenance would be very slight. since
most OF the concrete stands would rest
on a fiTm foundation; and the problem Of
draining would also be simple. since
there Is a gentle slope into the sehuyl-
XIII.
The transportation problems are also
amply provided for, as shown by the
architects under the city Beautiful"
plan, which has been approved and ac-
cepted BY all parties interested.
Automobiles can reach the site easily
on good roads from every where The
New Park Boulevard from FairmOunt
Park 70 BartTam's Park will skirt the
southern end.
Again the facilities Tor smptying the
neld would be unsurpassed and the open
space on ali sides would always obYiate
cOnEosuou. Aae 9AAaium nave IN MIND
would 20 about IS feet below the surface
and about 30 feet above. the audience en-
terins the stadium from ths ground level
through numerous entrances. and going
either up OF down according 70 the loes-
tion OF their seats.
The cost of rs construction should not
Be more than $4,000. The city for rs
share might be induced % provide proper
approaches. as also tha railroad ane lFae-
lfon comunule1. This would leave ua s