Evening star., 1922-09-03

ance Of about 1000 from May p to
June so. inclusive. The attendance
| at the bathing beach was 1854 the
largest attendance in one day being
$500. The number Of people rowing
boats on the Tidal Basin was 1850.
These figures. taken for a very
short period. will give q slight idea
Of just how popular outdoor sports
have become. and these figures do
not in any way take in athletic
activities that were INDUCED in on
Fairgrounds. private estates, parks
or corner lots. In fact. they do not
concern any athletic activities except
| those played under the supervision
Of the department Of public buildings
and grounds.
THE site contemplated for the sta
dunn is that portion of East
Potomac Park just east Of the rail-
road tracks and north of the camp
where the tin-can tourists place their
tin Lizzies and twin skies. This site
is now occupied by the unsightly
and unsafe warehouses controlled
by the general supply committee,
the warehouses being used for the
storing Of desks. chairs and other
surplus material that was purchased
during the war period.
To those who might criticise this
location. having in mind perhaps lack
of transportation facilities. it is
suggested that a careful survey will
show many thousands of people
could be brought to this site on the
street railways alone. because a loop
could be run from the tracks under
the railroad bridge, which is the en-
trance to the tin-can tourist camp.
returning on the north side of the
stadium. and thence again. connecting
with the regular line. Auto busses
could take the route to the south and
east of the stadium and discharge
passengers at various entrances.
Private autos could use the same
route of travel as well as the now
existing speedway.
In addition to these forms Of trans
portation, ferries and launches could
bring crowds from along the water
front, say Water and 7th streets. as
there are numerous landing places
already available, and the proposed
plan also calls for a yacht harbor
with numeroue substantial landings.
Traffic experts estimate that a
crowd of 10000 or more could be
handled without dificulty by these
various methods. There is not a sin
gle clear day during the summer
months but that there are hundreds
of base ball players who desire the
Use Of diamond. There is not day
but what dozens and dozens more
tennis courts could be used. There is
not time during the spring and
fall months but that athletes and
those aspiring to athletic honors
would be glad to have a place where
they could practice. for the high. jump,
hurling the discus, putting the shot.
the sprint and long distance races,
football practice and dozen differ
ent events.
TT might not be too. great strain to
visualize the holding Of the cele-
brated Army and Navy foot ball
games in the nations stadium. 1t
would indeed be the proper setting
for such athletic events and it would
give the local public and our states
men an opportunity to- view at close
range the future generals and ad-
mirals Of the land and sea forces
{ The expense entailed would not
amount to more than q million and a
half dollars, small sum when one
/, takes into consideration the numerous
advantages that q national stadium
| possesses. Just imagine our national
contests or the Olympic games being
, held at a place where one could see
! the Capitol Of the. United States, the
White House. home of our President:
the washington Monument. erected
| in honor Of the father Of our country;
the Lincoln Memorial. to- the. great
martyr. President. while across the
r.; :. -. . - fhs-tou1c 4 of Gen. Robert e.