Evening star., 1928-11-13

~ Oh J1e nrSC Time IN JIle nlSCOT,
l. of the duckpin sport here, ale,
owners are confronted with th
i problems of selling bowling II
the fans. Until this year thu
game has stood on its own merits. The
popularity of the alley sport has made
its rise without any extensive salesman
ship on the part of the proprietors.
Opening of more than 100 alleys In
and nearby the District has caused a
slight decline in receipts In many OF
the local establishments, although
these are not of serious proportions
They are noticeable, however, and pro-
motion schemes are being presented
from all quarters.
IN previous years the opening of new
alleys had little effect. Managers
found that with the opening of each
new plant there was usually more busi-
ness than they could handle. In 1921
KING Pin, No. /. opened with 30 alleys;
the Coliseum followed with 25, and
King Pin, No. 2, with 18. was opened
soon after. Then Convention Hall
opened with so drives. Each new plant
found plenty of business and owners
prospered from the start.
This Fall more new drives were open
ed than at any one time since the estab-
lishment of the duckpin game here.
reation, Mount Rainier and Bethesda
plants were al lopened this year, bring
ing the total number of alleys in the
District alone to 1885, All establish
ments, including the new ones, are pros
pering, but managers are aware that a
Slight decline in receipts has resulted
from the large addition of alleys.
There is probably more money in
vested in duckpin plants in Washington
than in any other type of recreational
equipment. Bill Wood of the Myer
Davis establishments figures that there
is $365,000 invested in alleys alone III
the District. This sum does not in
clude rents of buildings or other ex-
penses. Construction of the alleys is
estimated to have cost that amount.
He has also estimated that 100000
people use each of these 365 alleys each
year. His figures give some idea OF the
enormous business done during the 8
or 10 months bowling alleys are open
during the year. Gross receipts from
all of the alleys in the District this year
will pass the half-million mark, he says,
basing his estimate on reports to date
from the three Meyer Davis plants.
Pin boys are the largest single ex-
pense to bowling establishments,
Manager Wood says. The spoilers
collect between % and % per cent of
the gross income, his records show.
Replacing pins is another large item.
The life of duckpin is only two weeks
at the most and many are discarded
in less time.
Although Washington now has more
Cluckpin bowlerS per capita than any
city in the world, there is still room
for expansion. Success that the game
has met here has been entirely on its
own strength. There are many op-
portunities for further conquest, alley
proprietors believe. They have never
before concentrated on selling the game.
They have been content to let the game
expand on its own merits.
This season has seen the organiza-
ton of two doubles leagues. Other new
attractions win be offered the bowlers
later. One of these is the Meyer Davis
Ladies' Sweepstakes, which will open
1t King Pin No. on November "a. 1t
IS the first time that such an event has
been planned for women bowlers. Entry
blanks were being distributed today for
This event. All women bowlerS are
eligible to enter. The entry fee for
nine games is So, which covers the
:ost of the games rolled. Prize money
will be distributed among the four high
icorers, proportionally.
A llusband-wife tournament Is an
other innovation. All man and wife
teams are eligible to enter this tourney,
which is to be held at the Arcadia
next month. Entries are now being re-
-eived at the Arcadia and Convention
Hall
These events are attractive to pres
cnt devotees of the game. Alley man.
gers are at present interested in win
ming new bowlers Announcements are
expected soon from various bowling
headquarters of plans to bring new
bowlers into the fold. Much thought
is being given to means of adding new
blood in the ranks of Washington's
ogion of bowlers.