The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-16

special effort made to push the sale of tickets. The game sold itself on its own merits. Now here Is where the milk fund enters the pie ture. All concerned believed, and still believe, that with this game as the vehicle, very, very many people in Waterbury, who know of and sympathize with the purposes of the milk fund, but who are un- able, to make five dollar and ten dollar contribution, would gladly buy fifty cent ticket for that pur- ipose. It was hoped that where formerly 5000 tickets were sold, this year 12,00O or 15,000 could be sold. The aid of the school chil- dren was to be enlisted to canvas the city. Every youngster in the three upper grades of the grammar schools was to be given one ticket, with explicit instruction that he did not have to buy the ticket, but that he was to try to sell 1t. In the high schools, two tickets were to be given to each pupil, with ex- actly the same instructions. With the school children covering the city, 1t was the belief of the com mittee that everybody would have a chance to buy g ticket.
 With Crosby and Wilby taking $1, 10000 or the proceeds of 2.S00 tickets, If some 10000 or 12.000 tickets were sold, there would be a very substantial contribution to the milk fund.
 Such was the set-up. There was no effort on the part of the schools to divert any money. Rather did all concerned show a willingness and an enthusiasm to put the game over. An early announcement to the newspapers stated the plans, saying clearly "The schools will take from the game only an a- mount sufficient to meet their own expenses for the year" Unfortu- nately this statement was over- looked, and the newspaper head lines read Entire Proceeds of the Game to be donated to the Milk Fund.-"
 We think the situation has been explained as 1t stands. If anyone will come forth and pay the mer- chants, all local merchants by the way, the schools will gladly turn over the entire receipts. Such an offer is not likely to be made, and It Is a matter of speculation what the merchants to whom this money Is owed are thinking as they read of the pressure exerted on the schools to turn over everything. Just where are they going to>come in?
 It has been most unfortunate that the publicity campaign started before 1t was scheduled. The entire set-up was to have been explained In this opening article. showing the financial condition of the School Athletic association. and the effort to be made to create a substantial surplus.
 The high schools and grammar schools must work together If the game is to be success. Such benefit games as. there are being played all over the country. and In every case known the schools consideration.
 Hillhouse of New Haven and New Haven Commercial are play ing just such a game in the bowl and both teams are to receive a sum to meet their expenses for the year.
 Holy Cross and Boston college are playing a charity game nt the Harvard Stadium Thanksgiving af- ternoon. The teams are to receive the proceeds from the first 32.00O tickets sold at $3.00 each. This totals $90.000.00 out of which the two colleges pay the expenses which amount to $28,0OO.0OO. This leaves $GS.000.000 to be divided between the colleges. What Is left for charity? Simply the pros ceeds from the sale of the remain Ing zG,00O tickets at $500 each. or S78.O00,00.
 University of Texas had offered Harvard $e0,0O0.00 flat gparantee to play a game in Texas for the benefit of the unemployed.
 With a knowledge of these facts. it seems strange to read the pro. posai that Crosby and Wiiby donate their entire gate receipts and let Crosby pay any debts Wilby may have, from money made tn the Crosby -Naugy game.
 This ia the final explanation of the financial set.up of this game. Every effort will be made to make it c success. From day Co day an appeal will be made in the news. papers Co help create q surplus Tor the fund. We feel sconfldent that the fair.minded citixens pf Water. bury, roali3ing that the hlnh Heho0l teams, receiving np financial as- alatanoe from any board, labOFinR Co carry on the past two years without on enclosed neid, will feel