Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-18
CITY HAS BIG CHANCE
TO OBTAIN OLYMPTAD
IF STADIUM Is BUILT
DR.. r. TAFT Mckenzie
Points Out International
Situation and Philadel-
phia s Opportunity to OBJ
tain Games.

How Philadelphia is to get tho Olympic
Games for 1916 is problem which is agi-
tating business, educational and athletic
circles Of the city. Although it has de-
veioped that the preliminary cable report
from Paris stating that the International
Olympic Committee had awarded the
games TO this country was premature,
II Is virtually certain that the United
states can have them providing they
are not postponed or there Is not a speedy
termination OF the European war. This
presupposes that the American cCmmit-
tee through its members on the Interna.
uonal Olympic Committee shall ask for
them. An exhibition of energy with a
concentrated purpose and plan on the
part of all Philadelphia interests will
give the Quaker City splendid chance
10 obtain the transfer of the games from
Berlin to this city
This, at least is the opinion Of Or. II.
TAFT Mckenzie, director of the depart
ment of physical, education at the Jnivcr-
Sly OF pennsylvania and a member of
the American Olympic Committee, and Of
MS associates at the university.
would like to see the games held in
Phlladelphia," said Doctor Mckenzie,
provided they could be obtained without
any ill-feeling. But there Is right and
wrong way to do everything, and I'm n
matter that involves so much diplomacy
1t is essential not only that we should
proceed with the utmost tact but that
there should be complete unanimitv
among all Philadelphia interests In par
ucular, we should be united on the char
Aoter and location of the stadium and
mere should be harmony in working out
all the details. W"
THE OLYMPIC SITUATION.
fear that some Phladelphians who
are so Jealous to get the games here do
not thoroughly appreciate the OIvmnic
situation 1t should be remembered that
the games have been formally awarded
TO Germany and a magnificent stadium
mas been built for the sports in Berlin.
In addition, the German people have
spent great deal of money in their
plans to manage the games properly. AT
no time has the German committee
asked the International Olympic Com
mittee to relieve them of the games nor
have the Germans even admitted that
they can't hold them on the contrary
the Germans say they are prepared TO
mold them war or no war
mere can be no definite action by the
international Committee i'm advance of its
meeting which is scheduled for some
place in Switzerland, probably in Nav
AT this time. / presume, the proceedt,re
VIII be somewhat as follows The Inter
national Committee will have the Cor
man delegates inform them of the status
oi tnelr plans. Should these prove un-
satisfactory, or the war situation he sucb
tnat the committee would feel that Ger
many could not properly hold the games
some country might lodge protest
AGAINST holding the games i'm Berlin.
Then' II the protest were sustained, the
committee could award the games +o
some other country. Naturally the United
States, being the most important NJ +bo
neutral countries, possessing the greatest
NUMBER OF athletes and the best facilities
Tor the management of so important a
SET OF games, would be given first con-
sideration.
Assuming, then, that the committee
decides at Its spring meeting to transfer
the sixth Olymplad to America. PhilndeI- |
phias chances to get the games would
depend upon the perfection Of its plans
LOT the management of meet on such n |
huge scale. Thus the international Com
nittee would have to know in advance |
the extent of the stadium facilities. the |
character OF the management, etc The |
arransement OF the program would un- |
doubtedly be left to the American com,
mittee. but the local COMMITTEES would |
have to provide the stadium for the ath |
ietic events and pool for the swiumInr,
sports. '''
1T seems to me that It would be worth
while for Philadelphia to be prepared IN
stage the games. provided there is
chanee for America to get them Per-
sonally, don't see how GERMANY can
hope TO hold them, much less to make
a success of them, under present con-
uItions. therefore, Philadelphia should
organize and be prepared to give the
proper guarantees when the Interna-
tional Committee meets.
STADIUM BIGGEST PROBLEM
'"The most important problem for Phil
aIn Inf,E
course. we now have Franklin Field,
which. while not the largest. Is certainly
the most convenient and best fitted ath-
letic field in America. While # might
be large enough for crowds on some of
the days of the Olympiad. should II be
held here, 1t would not hold the thronrs
on special occasions, like the opening
day and the marathon race. We ought
10 have stadium In this city with n
seating capacity OF from $4,000 to rs. .OOOO
want to see such a stadium built and
with the impetus afforded by the pros
peet and possibility of getting tho Olym-
pic games here, It could be secured in
ample time
mot because I am connected with the
University of Pennsylvania, but because
of my experience In athletics, / believe
the best interests of the city would be
served II such stadium were built in CO. |
operation with the University. The uni
versities of the country have acquired
knowledge and experience I'm managing
meets and building. supervising and |
maintaining athletic structures. The uni ,
versity of PennsylvaE'- was the first
Institution In this country to construct
a stadium and athletic plant, and Frank
lin Field, although now too small, stlll |
stands as a model. My belief = that the
new stadium, II built. should be in a |
place whe- it.wOuld be available for the I
use OF the University. That would give
US two athletic fields. and one OF them ,
could always be available for municipal |
sports and similar functions. II seems TO
me that we are losing valuable time by
not o,-operating In the selection of the
most available site. If Philadelphia Is
70 has@ It's case properly represented
when the International Olympic Commit