The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-12-13
MAKE REPLY TO THE
SPORTS ASSOCIATION

A SELF -explandtofy ietter mas peeH
addressed to the rports editors OF
,, Richmond newspapers by the owners
OF Boulevard ncid, In reply to an
open letter by the Richmond Sports
association. Both factions are trying
to bring to Richmond better sports,
and thus far they have been unable
to get together on the matter. The
owners claim to have lost money in
the past on this investment and are
willing tn try to recoup some OF their
| losses by renting the park on yearly
basis. or take $4,000 for an option
for Thanksgiving provided Washing
ton and Lee university is one OF the
contr acting parties. they already hav-
Ing an cpticn FOR that date. The
owners will NOT pa. ticipate in any way
In a division of the receipts from
games with any tpf vidual or organi~
zation.
The letter follows:
Considera bile ,n5iscity has besn
given the Richmond Sports Associa-
ton" in connection with our attitude
in promotion OF sports in Richmond,
particularly in reference to football
games on Boulevard field. IT may be
to know that every conceivable in
ducement consistent with. business
Judgment has been offered for pros
pective games to be staged in Rich
mond.
Our activities have not relaxed
since we constructed boulevard field
to afford Richmond both football and
| baseball. expecting no financial re-
turns other than compensation suf-
1 = 49,
| investment OF $4,000, taxes. insur-
ance and maintenance. all Of which
| o / proximates not less than $4,000 an
nuaily.
| For the last three years the income
| OF receipts have not aggregated half
this amount. therefore, we have main
| tanned the field al a substantial loss.
In addition to the investment made
for Boulevard field. or losses previous
| ly in sports exceeded 5000, due. al
together to our determined efforts to
support baseball here.
LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT
| To the best Informed followers OF
football, It Is readily understood why
the games between the University of
Virginia. University of North Caro-
lima and Virginia Polytechnic Insti-
| tute and Virginia Military Institute
could not have been played here. We
have brought to the attention of the
athletic authorities OF all the prom
| fnent colleges in this section OF the
country the advantages of games in
| our city with little or no encourage
! rnent in the past.
The three seasons of 1917. 1913 and
| 1919 have been far more discouraging
TO US than to the members Of the
| Richmond Sports Association, really
i ;nO that tfy,sa rA
counted for little. 1t might be made
plain to the public that when the
property WAS originally, purchased. we
had In view--when its usefulness
cease--we would sell the real estate.
| or we would ourselves erect theron
| tenement houses in units OF ten or
| twelve, or build on the entire prop
lerty--forty~two lots-at one time. The
purchase of the property Of Boulevard
| held was an Investment pcre ami
| simple. II will remain an athletic
field as long as there is hope for suf-
ficient returns to compensate for the
outlay When the financial returns
cease. we feel justified in dismantIing
| stands and proceeding with our plans.
We are not adverse to dfsposing of
the property intact at = price based on
| fair and equitable basis Further
more. we are not adverse tn leasing
SAHH pfUfWH1v ~ m annual rental sur
fsc1cnt to cover our nxc<l charges plus
reasonable amount for repairs.
OFFER OPTION OF 81, 900
IL has been stated that we have
been Offered by the Sports Association
the gum Of $4,000 for an option on
Boulevard field FOR Thanksgiving Day
Of 1890. No representative of our
corporation Is aware OF any such offer
The future existence OF Boulevard
field largely depends on receipts from
Thanksgiving games. and we respect
fully invite snch an offer for the on
ton and there will be sli9ht hesltans-y
tn tcs acceptance, provided II Ia made
TN good faith. accompanied by cvi.
dcncc OF Financial responsibility, and
that the Washington and Lee Univer-
eity Ia made party thereto IN the
event their fame Is staged here, as
anticipated.
Any proposition to participate
jointly in receipts from games to be
played on Boulevard field Is certainly
beyond our consideration, and. In fair
ness to ourselves. we will decline such
offers either from individuals or as
socia tons. Il cooperation IL the most
substantial evidence OF Inducements.
We submit this for no other reason
than to show. in our opinion. others
can no no mara for fha rr,,r O+;cu ~