Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-07

Optimistic economists and inveterate
pollyannas who make cult of finding
blessings In every disaster already have
mentioned a number of good things
which will flow from the coincident de-
preston in business, the unemployment
and the drought of 1880. Much theory
has been spun, but 1t does not take q
university professor to notice that one
very practical benefit has come in the
midst of disaster in the form of minia-
ture golf.
Whether this new sport sprang up
because of the trinity of disasters men,
toned or in spite of them may be q
debatable question. The fact stands out
clearly, however, that when everybody
was complaining about the loss of crops,
the lack of work and the slackneSs of
trade a wholly new industry took wings
to itself and scared. AS of the present
refers merely to the business of oper-
ating miniature golf courses. If land
values are included. an added gain is
found in that land which formerly
was idle or paying little now is return
ing substantial rents. The promotion
of this game is paying good interest re-
turns on land values running into the
hundreds of millions.
1t presents the astounding, almost
comic, situation in which a somewhat
distressed and discouraged Nation is
lifting itself out of q real or fancied
depression by means of game at which
most people at first were inclined to
laugh. The Tom Thumb golf courses
which began by being the sport OF
humorists and QuipSterS in newspapers
and on the stage actually have sprung
into q brand-new industry which Is
growing hourly.
The latest Government figures say
there are at least $4,000 miniature goli
courses in the United States Tonnor-
row that figure may be increased by
hundreds, for no craze ever swent the
country with such prairie-f1re rapidity
Where yesterday was vacant lot OF
Wnere stood a group of small buildings
stores or church, day after tomorrow
is new miniature golf course with
people standing in line to patronize it.
From the economic point Of view the
f1llip given to trade Is amazing. Taking
the present Government figure stating
that miniature golf can now be rated
as q $l25.OOO,O 900 industry, it is safe to
will be a 100000 900 Industry. And II
is fundamentally true that nothing ever
grew so fast before in the United States
winch means nothing ever grew so fast
anywhere.
Small Capital Needed.
1t is probably safe to say that the
combined disasters of drought, depres-
sion and unemployment are responsible
for the headlong course of this Youngest
and most astoundingly successful in.
dustry. To run any business one must
have customers. Depressed trade Ii
the last year has caused literally thou.
sands OF men to resign from their goli
and country clubs and they have fell
the lack of exercise and sport and Their
putting eyes have suffered. Unemploy.
ment has meant that people have more
spare time than ever before and, in spite
OF much undoubted suffering, the Amer.
lean people, while compelled to stop buy.
Ing expensive things, always seem to be
able to dig up q quarter to have some
fun. So the low prices of the period
have favored the baby game.
Now, take the point of view of the
business man who desires to cater tc
the waiting customers. A movie theatei
takes big investment, q store takes 4
Dig investment with dubious trade In
sight--almost any new venture requires
lot OF initial capital with the prospect
OF q years wait before the venture ever
breaks even. But the standard contract
price for building a miniature col
course is only $4,000, with rent running
around an average Of $1,000 a year, AT