The Washington times., 1922-06-07

Inc 6InH0S Will DC COtCICbCS anu
In order to double the seating
capacity the new field will embody
several radical structural changes
in stadium architecture. The Phiia.
dsiphia city council has given the
university permission TO arcade the
sidewalks on three sides Of the old
field. As the entrances will be from
the outside, instead Of at the four
corners OF the field az at present,
II has been possible 20 eliminate
the passageway in front OF the
present stands. These changes have
given the architect about eighteen
feet more width for the base OF the
stadium. Then, seating surface OF
the stadium 10 being constructed
al a much sharper angle than in
the old stands. ...-
The result Ia that the new field
will have a capacity Of $4,000 per.
soma. practically double that Of the
former stands, and without. affect
ing in any way the athletic field
itself. In other words, franklin
Field will still retain its triple fea-
ture, which has made IL unique in
Americ6--that of being available for
football, baseball and track games.
Practically all the other big stadia
in America can be used only for
football and track.
The exterior OF the new stadium
will present an appearance OF great
architectural beauty and distinction.
Because Of arcadlng the sur.
rounding sidewalks Il has been
possible for the architect TO pro-
vide q series OF beautiful arches,
, nearly thirty in number, surround.
ing the entire field.
Their style is 10 be north Itaiiu n,
their dimensions about twenty rect
In width. and forty feet in height.
| The walls. therefore, will present
the appearance of q Roman viadGct
The new field will be further i-s.
tinsuished by the fact that every
foot OF available space beneath the
stands will be utilized for the phy 81.
cal education and athletic v rk Il
the university. The big rooms will
occupy the most prominent positions
under the north and south stands.
They will contain the most modem
equipment. In addition. there will
be at least half a dozen training
rooms for the minor sports. There
room, where two sight.oared crews
may work on the rowing machines,
large room for indoor track work.
long enough for broad jumping ar
high enough for pole vaulting.
There also will be eight squash
courts and place for indoor soccer
practice. All the rooms beneath
the stands will be heated arid
lighted from a central plant. When
u Is considered that the new field
win be used for football, baseball
and track, soccer football, lacrosse,
and every foot Of space beneath the
stands utilized. II win be seen that
the new Franklin Field will be used
to the limit Of It's capacity.
Another feature in which the neN
stadium will be distinctive Is in the
character and arrangement Of tn,
seats. Although the stadium will b.
of concrete. the seats themselv''
will be OF wood, raised about -four
inches above the concrete surfac.
and with toe room beneath, In thes
features they will differ from mos
stadiums in this country. Particula'
attention has been given to the al
| ranesment OF seats. The engineers
examined every stadium in this
country and then evolved a seatinf
plan which allows about seven"
and one.half inches seating space 10,
every spectator. slightly more than
in the old stands. In addition, il will
give perfect visibility from every one
of the so, 900 seats.
BY working in two shifts the buili
ers expect TO have the entire struc'
ture up late in the summer. with
virtually all Of the seats in place by
September 80, the date OF the first
football game. The cornerstone will
he laid on June 10, alumni day. II
Ia the intention OF the stadium com.
mittee. of which Sydney E.eHutchin.
son Is chairman. to dedicate the hew
field on October 2s, the date Of the
Navy game. President Harding has
been invited to attend the dedication.
| The new field will be used to its
fullest capacity from the start. For
| the first time on record every one
OF Pennsylvania games will he
| rS1ayed at home. In addition, the
| Army and Navy will play their an.