The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-10-29
r TURN BATTLE,
MIGHT Be LOST
TO ISLANDERS
BY BRUCE COPELAND.

Kser Independents HsnA
BY BRUCE COPELAND.
II These are shuttlecock days down
Decatur way. Seems one minute
the Starchmaksrs want the indie
spesdent- Stalsy return match. Nov.
q, the next minute they don't.
Boastfully elated over their two
successive lucky victories over the
Independents and Chicago Tigers.
tts 6taley fans. though compare
lively few they b. have awakened
10 the fact that they have the max
ings Of = contender for the profess
ssional football title.
However, II seems that the big
game has not taken proper hold Of
Decatur. The town hasn't out
grown the Independents became q
notable factor in the professional
field. The fact IL: Decatur wants
the big prise we'll enough. but is
reluctant to incur the financial re-
probabilities Of an Independent
Staley game.
Manager Flanagan Of the Inde-
pendents. hoped over to Decatur
the night before last to confer with
A. j. Staley and Manager George
Halas. and returned last night with
definite assurances lacking as to
the scene Of the impending classic.
Flanagan had hoped to close with
the Staleys and was disappointed
when they stalled for more time to
whip the home fans into realiza-
ton Of the games attraction.
II impressed 1t upon Messrs.
Staley and Halas that Rock Island
does not wish to monopOlize the at
traction, inasmuch as the tri-cities
have had their rightful share Of
the double-header." Flanagan ex-
planned upon his return. However,
| did elucidate that Rock Island
would be eager to relieve the Sta
leys fall responsibilities coming
ent to the game fit failed to meas
ure up to thir financial expecta-
tons"
Contrary to a previous report
that the Staleys' field would accom-
modate only about 1900 persons,
Flanagan reported that the capacity
would be nearer 5000; no more.
The Rock Island argument is based
on the fact that the game would
draw between 1000 and 5000 at
Douglas park, which, from box
Office standpoint, would result in
gross receipts Of about $4,000.
IS II played in Decatur, the game
could not possibly draw more than
S,000,. the estimated capacity OF the
'Staley field. Thus, such a game in
Decatur would entail gross receipts
OF between $1,000 and $4,000. or
about SO per cent less than tri-city
receipts. On the $3.50 split plan,
leach club would receive about
$4,000 In Rock Island: about $4,000
In Decatur.
The Independents would be en-
titled to guarantee OF about $4,000
for an out-Of-town game. When
this exigency was put before sew
eral Decatur live wires it was
I agreed to try to invoke the public
spirited support Of Decatur and ad.
joining fans to acquire the guar.
antee- Mr.. Staley waived all pos,
sibilities Of profit to his organiza,
ton In case the Rock Island guar.
antee could be subscribed by ar
advance sale Of tickets.
The Decatur Review is sponsor t.
q movement to urge football fans il
and around Decatur to yield ths
tentative game their utmost sup.
port, and advises as follows:
ITO THE CITIES OF CENTRAL
ILLINOIS: Decatur fans and
boosters, who are interested in the
Staley football eleven, which has
brought fame and honor to this city
and central Illinois within the last
several weeks, are making an effor,
to have the Rock Island game
scheduled for Nov. Z. played In De-
catur. You live wires In the differ
ent towns covered by The Review
take up an estimate Of the number
OF fans In your city who would be
.amo 80 Han. ING UP nere Lor tne
%. ~ Tha n",,,, = p " .ne Spoits eu'-
800 =. s x. no'iow. ~ VIII De
niov.a h... 49, !" - nH,0 Tue e.nie
(" wS,no'rsa T ~ ~ WI, VI coulse,
.sovr ~ ~ INC ians ~ your
his h.,t,e" e " "'"e'S Tue
r., "p...,.
Decatur Ia likelv To he the scene
Of the Staley-Rock Island game
scheduled to be played Nov, Z II a
number Of 33rd degree fans have
their way in the matter.
Claiming that this city can turn
out as large q crowd as Rock Island
or Peoria could produce, If given
the opportunity, a number of them
are making ARRANGEMENTS to hold a
l.