The Washington times., 1933-12-13
BY GINO SINH

10y O4AN" OAG44
Harry Blair HALEY, popularity
known as Pop" for the past
generation in local duckpin cir
cles, is the son Of a Virginia
stock farmer. In his youth he
wanted to be O lawyer. He
graduated from school an cleo
trical engineer, became a Gas
Mantle Company manager and
is now one Of the most popular
bowling alley operators in the
game.
Somehow, Pops" eternally
boyish and beaming countenance
seems to be in its right surround
1ngs amidst the roar and crash
Of falling duckpinS.
"Pop" admits that he was born
in Bedford county, Va, as far
back as July 20, 1875, but he
insists that he is 81 years young
He came to washington when
- years Of age, attended Eastern
High School when that institu-
ton was only a year or so old.
Pop" made the school nine as
an outfielder, and held up his
end as q batter.
Won Competitive Drill
He was a cadet in the Eastern
company which won one Of the
first competitive drills. He en-
rolled at Bliss Electrical School,
at that time located on Capitol
Hill, and was graduated as an
electrical engineer" after a two
year course.
'But can't even hang a bell,
now" ':POp'' cOnfesses.
In 1896 he, graduate electrical
engineer, got a job with Welsbach
Gas Mantle Company, and in 1900
he became the manager Of the
Washington branch, which posi-
ton he held until gas mantles
went out of style in 1925.
In the meantime in 1918 he sue
ceeded Frank Sherman as presi-
dent Of the Royal Amusement en-
tsrprise, which included the Sher-
man alleys, located on the site Of
the present Times-Herald Build
ing. In fact, Pop" sold the build
ing to MIR. Hearst in 1923.
General Manager
"Pop" became the general man.
ager of the Harry Carroll bowling
establishments after leaving the
gas mantle business. Carroll, at
that time, was the largest bowling
alley owner in the city, with
Grand Central, Coliseum and Rec
reation. Uncle Sam bought the
first two, and last summer the
Recreation ownership changed
hands, but Pop" remained as
manager.
Pop is married, and has three
children and two grandchildren.
His wife is a native Washing
tonian.
Pop" blazed across the duck
pin horizon just about the time
Halley's comet last visited the
earth and Immediately made him.
self feared in money competition.
He participated in three elimina-
ton tournaments and won them
all.
= He gained the reputation of be-
ing one of the finest lead-off men
in duckpin circles. He rolled in
that position for the famous Bel
monts, Palace and Royals. He
was captain Of the Royals, con-
sidered the greatest bowling team
in local annals, for several years,
and led them in their famous
intercity matches with Roanoke.
Captained All-Stars
He also was the captain of the
Washington All-Stars in the mo-
toriouS Brockton match, in which
the locals were victims of trick
alleys.
e"Pop" was one of the chief or
ganiZers of the w. c. D. A. and
served as president of that asso-
citation in 1914. He took high
average honors in the District
League in 1918 and led the Ma
sonic and Commercial leagues sew
eral times.
Rheumatism in the arm forced
"Pop" to quit bowling a decade
ago. He Is a keen student Of the
game and has spotted more than
one top-notcher of today when he
was struggling in comparative OBJ
security.
y Pops" one remaining ambition
Is to live as long as his father or
mother, who passed on to their
reward a few years ago. His
father was 81 when he died and |
his mother 81.