Evening star., 1939-09-26
Without Home Games,
Risk Their Bones
For Small Pay
Football Orphans Double
In Bross; Futures Lean,
But They Garry On
BY BURTON HAWKINS,

BY BURTON HAWKINS.
Orphans of the football armament
the homeless Washington Presi-
dents already have been stamped as
favorites to capture the Dixie Pro-
fessional League championship, but
they're placed in the unique posi-
ton of being unable to capitalize on
any honors they snatch. The Presi-
dents are part of the local sports
setup, but then, again, they aren't.
The Presidents claim Washington
as their home. but actually it's only
their hotel. They'll play no games
here this year because Cd they have
no suitable field and ca experience
has demonstrated they'd be divorced
from sizable sugar if they attempt
ed it.
Capturing the Dixie League cham
pionship is somewhat of a hollow
honor because that's where it stops.
There are no playoffs in the FIVE
team circuit, no possible revenue to
be obtained from indorsing such
things as the long underwear rec
commended by the Washington Red
skins Sammy Baugh. First or fifth,
the salaries are the same. The
title doesn't mean a thing.
Big Risk, Little Pay.
For risking their necks-Halfback
Dixie Walker today is in Sibley Hos
pital with a brain conclusion as the
result of injuries received as the
Presidents walloped the Norfolk
Shamrocks, 20-7, Sunday at Norfolk
washington" players receive the
comparative coolie wages of from
SIS to $40 game. The Washington
Redskins receive minimum of $l25
game and the risk is no greater.
BY automobile, boat, train or bus
the Presidents journey to their Sum-
day engagements with Norfolk,
Richmond, Newport News and Ports
mouth clubs. Danville, Va, has ap-
piled for admittance to the league
and may be accepted this week
That will mean tiring tricks to other
outfits in the loop, but it represents
an opportunity to obtain a little
more cash.
It's no easy life. There were 80
assorted specimens attempting to
obtain jobs with the Presidents, but
only ,21 remain on the pay roll.
Virtually all of them hold outside
jobs, but they stage three lengthy
drills week, two night sessions and
a Saturday afternoon workout.
Then, of course, there's the weekly
trip to the weekly game.
Take Gene Augusterfer, for in
stance. He coaches football at St.
Johns College here. He's fairly well
whipped when he reports to prac-
tice. So are Frank Ortenzi and Jack
Lytton. freshman coaches at West
ern Maryland, and Jim Hill and
Joe Frank, assistant Georgetown
frosh mentors.
Walker is an employe of a chain
of grocery stores. Joe Katalinas
is salesman. Willis Benner is
George Washington Highs foot
ball coach. Dick Bunch works for
cleaning establishment John
Sniscak is craftsman and Joe
Anthonavage tolls for the Govern
ment.
They aren't insured against in
jury. but it's the policy of the Presi-
dents to take care of them. They
have the choice Of allowing the
Presidents to foot their hospital
and doctor bills and not receive
their weekly stipend or pay their
own bills and continue on the pay
roll.
Their football future? It isn't
much because they don't figure to
be graduated to bigtime professional
football circles. What the National
League dosen't take at first general
ly it dosen't want and that leaves
the remainder, such as the Presi-
dents, on the outside peeking in
League Is Getting Along.
The Dixie League, though is doing
all right. This is its fifth year OF
operation and it is beginning to get
some semblance of organization
despite the fact none of the clubs
has its own park. Officials now
are working on a plan whereby
the championship may mean more
coin for the players involved
through the medium of a playoff
among the top four teams.
Washington has seen the Presi-
dents perform only twice in league
tiffs and on those occasions the
club dropped 5000 and $3.50 respec-
lively. 1t isn't good business to
continue at that pace, not when
crowds at Richmond average be-
tween 10000 and $4,000 every Sun
day.
Richmond, though, is tops in
the league. Crowds at Norfolk
average only about 5000, although
only 1871 paid to view last Sum
days game. There isn't much
money to be derived from playing
in Portsmouth or Newport News
either.
The Presidents may come home
next year. Home would mean Duffy
Stadium at Seat Pleasant, Md
That stadium now can seat $500
on one side of the field and 1000
more in temporary bleachers on the
other side, but officials are debating
the wisdom of making the move
Meantime, the Presidents are q
team without a town.