Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-21
FIGHT INVOLVING
NEARLY 100000
Philadelphia Hotels, Cafes
and Cabmen Profiting.
Railroads Are Helped.
BY j. c. ROYLE.
Special Dispatch to The Star.
pIII A nINI DIYIA

PHILADELPHIA, September 21.-
A thrill and a laugh are the two most
vendable pieces of merchandise in the
business world, according to Phila-
delphians. Some 100000 people will
spend approximately $7,500,000 for a
chance to get thrill at the Dempsey
Tunney heavyweight championship
battle here Thursday, with an equal
| chance of having a laugh-at them
lselves-provided the thrill does not
come up to expectations.
1t is probable that this is the largest
sum spent for similar purpose since
Cassius Julius Caesar went in debt
FOR sum which would now approx
mate 100000 to provide the gladia-
tor1al games with which he regaled
the Roman populace in as B. G. But
caesar was not SO good Snowman as
Tex Richard, and, while the gladiators
fought only for their lives, admission
was free. The same lamentable bust.
ness tactics were employed at the
Field of the Cloth of Gold, where large
sums were spent, but largely for per-
Sonal adornment. However, the
knights competing in the tournament
got only the horses and armor of de-
feated opponents and chance to
lame queen of beauty
railroads Will Benefit.
AT the thrill provider here, the
amount received for admission is ex-
fected to exceed $1.700,0OO. Expenses
are correspondence heavy But rail-
roads from one end of the country to
the other will benefit by the travel of
thousands of thrill seekers, who will
make the trip here
The fight has proven a bonanza for
oil
hostelries in the central part of town
nave marked up their rates and many
refused to make reservations except
Tor three consecutive DAYS The
average rate charged exceeds SIS a
DAY per room. This demand has been
gwen weight by the advent of 100. 600
| Odd Fellows, who are holding a
Grand Lodge meeting here. Restau-
rants have been called upon to feed
over 100000 extra patrons as a result
of the fight
Several million dollars will be
Wagered on the result of the heavy
weight contest, and this total does not
include the personal bets between
friends OF sums ranging from s. to
! $4,000 Taxicabs and other methods
OF transportation are reaping a har-
vest and the shops are gathering in
more dollars from the fight crowd
than have flowed from the pockets of
the ordinary SeSquicentennial visitors.
AS a result of the influx of visitors
Philadelphia is seriously discussing
the employment of a city manager
This is opposed by some, who point
out that the employment of Gen
Smedley y. Butler of the Marine
Corps to manage the Philadelphia po-
llce force was not productive Of sat
1Nf. lnf
serts that Gen. Butler was a soldier
not a business man, and that a bust
ness manager is what is needed.
Ringlinss Are Involved.
Whatever the outcome of the fis-
tic engagement it has demonstrated
that the providing of the thrill and
the laugh has entered the ranks of
big business. The law suits grow
ing out of the match have resulted
in the retaining of an array of en-
inent counsel such as could not be
surpassed in any business contro-
versy. The thrill and the laugh have
made the circus Americas premier
amusement enterprise, and the rela-
ton of the Philadelphia spectacle
emphasizes this fact since it is we'll
known that the Ringing Brothers OF
circus fame are the principals behind
AIR. Richard.
There have been thousands of
carpenters employed in placing extra
seats in the stadium, and small for
tune has been spent for lumber and
nails alone. The services of 1900
ushers will be required. Every extra
policeman available will be modified
to preserve order
The biz for the printing of the
tickets alone has run into the tens
of thousands. Telegraph, telephone
and wireless companies will carry
millions Of words describing the event
to every corner Of the globe, and the
expense to newspapers which have
covered the activities of the training
camps as we'll as the main battle for
the benefit of their readers will be