The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-03-19
HARRY CRIMSON

When you plant your potatoes on the line for ringside seat at the sduirriey-whirl of sport, the six-day bike race, and witness the mad sprints around the gleaming white boards, the spills, thrills, and color that abounds at one of these events, you are pretty sure to get your moneys worth.
 Not so sure, however, the pro- moter who backs the enterprise. The fellow whose money brings you the red-thatched Torchy Peden, who snatches skimmers off the heads of dozing railbirds, and rides around the track in leisure mo- ments logged out in that old-fash- toned garment, the corset; the platinum blond, Jules Audy, who stays tife gawking gals; Reggie McNamara, the Iron Man; Piet van Kempen, world champion; Georgetti, Letourner, and others, is way out on a financial lamb.
 To the skeptic who is uhac- quainted with details of promoting this statement probably is a big guffaw. But the spectator is in no position to know just how big gamble goes on behind the scenes.
 He witnesses the cerseless pound- ing around the track, thrills at the tight jams and expert maneuvering of the wheels, and marvels at the prodigious appetites of the surloin- stuffing riders. But he sees no fur ther.
 In the rear of this panorama is d busy scene of balancing the budget, counting the sawbucks, and paying the bills. 1t is interestingly de- scribed in the March issue of For tune magazine.
 Slim Margin of Safety
 The article goes into detail in describing the money side of the matter facing John Chapman, New York impresario; Harry Mendel, Chicago agent; Willie Spencer, promoter operating circuit in others who attempt to line up shows.
 The picture in New York and Chicago is rather rosy. but for those who attempt to stage shows in other cities, the job is precari- ous financial venture.
 If you, as an individual, attempt ed to stage a six-day bike race outside New York and Chicago, here are the figures that would add to the gray of your hair, as given by Fortune:
 Your gross intake might average $2O,000. You must remember you would first have to get the consent of either Chapman or Spencer, since these two hold all the desir- able riders under contract. With this consent, you would pay for riders, $7OO0; for rent, $4000; for publicity, $2O0O; to build track, $500; and for officials, $700.
 These figures add up to $1,700.
 Subtracting this from the $20,000 gate, and your net profit is $130O- if you get $2O,000 gate! Not a bad sum for six. days workout not a princely return for the time. effort, and collar whiting grind and gamble the promoter undertakes. Passes Necessary Evil
 You may wonder at the large rental fee mentionel. Fortunes writer explains that, in renting 8 local civic auditorium, the promo ter probably has to hand out sev- eral hundred dollars worth of passes to councilmen ''as part of the penalty for doing business with the city"
 Big centers of population such as New York and Chicago, however, operate on larger scale and the profits are larger.
 A table contained in the Fortune story shows that the take at the first race staged in Madison square garden this year was $100,000. Out of this came $10,000 for building and dismantalling the track, and other maintenance charges; $25,- 900 for riders; 5000 for the Ma tional Cycling association; $SO00 for "other expenses; and $6000. or 25 per cent of the profits, to John Chapman, the promoter.
 The Gardens share from this day race was S50,000.
 And the Cleveland Indians kick ed on paying that amount for six months rental of the Forest City's huge municipal stadium on the lakefrOnt!