Evening star., 1941-05-07
All Recreation Likely
To Be Governed by
One Organization
Thorough Probe Of Links
Situation Seems Sure
To Add to Facilities
BY WALTER McCALLUM.

Out of the current inquiry into
public golf course operation, to be
expanded into a genuine investiga-
ton covering all phases Of such
operation, as we'll as all recreation
facilities in the District of Columbia,
may come District government Su-
pervision of municipal golf. Such
is the thought of Representative
William T. Schultz of Indiana, eX-
pressed today following hearing be-
fore the Parks and Recreation Sub
committee of the House Committee
on the District of Columbia. The
committee has before it two bills
proposing changes in the recrea-
tional set up in Washington. One
would Set up a nine-man Recreation
Board. The other would create
Department of Recreation for the
District of Columbia. On Capitol
Hill authorized sources said several
days ago The boys are taking in
their belts for a real inquiry -
That is exactly what they mean,
for the subcommittee has decided to
ask the District Committee for d1-
thorization by the House to issue
subpoenas to insure presence of wit
neSSes and production OF records,
and also TO seek the assistance OF
the Federal Bureau of Investigation
in furthering the inquiry. If that
Is what is meant by belt tighten
ing" it looms as knock down, drag
out proceeding that may bring gen.
timely satisfactory results to the
golfers who use the public courses.
No casual inquiry, or perfunctory
investigation would necessitate the
steps contemplated.
Should Have More Courses.
Representative Schultz gave as his
opinion that Washington should
have at least five more public
courses, adding that the existing
public links facilities should be
brought up to modern Standards
Public golf courses in the District of
Columbia also, ne said, should be
operated by the municipality for the
benefit of the golfers, and any prof
its from such operation should be
turned back into course improve
ments. The latter phase expresses
substantially the position of The
Star in a series Of articles on the
public golf courses in November,
1899.
Witnesses at the hearing included
Severine G.. Leoffler, president of
the S. G. Leoffler Operating Co.,
who told the subcommittee the golf
courses operated at a loss in 1910,
after a profit of about $4,000 in 1899.
Leoffler recounted the steps leading
up to the creation of his municipal
links empire in Washington, now in
cluding all five public courses, and
said in 1899 gold courses leased by
him were used by 52l,677 persons. In
1910 during what is practically an
eight month season." 466610 persons
used the courses. Reading from
prepared statement he added, 1t is
doubtful that any course in the
country has such a volume OF play
ers."
Others testifying included Walter
McCallun, golf editor of The Star;
Capt. F. Walter Hoover, general
manager of the Welfare and Rec
reation Association, and G. H. Ty-
son. The latter spoke in support OF
increased facilities for the colored
golfers of the city.
Loeff1er Challenges Figures.
Figures on the Leoffler golf course
operations were produced before the
committee and challenged by Leof-
fler, who said he would produce his
operating figures if the committee
wishes at future hearings, although
'they were confidential" Members
of the subcommittee include John F.
Hunter of Toledo, Ohio, who IS
familiar with golf course operation
In his own city; F. Edward Hebert
of New Orleans, former city editor
OF New Orleans daily nesWpaper,
and Stephen Bolles of Janesv1lle,
Wis, also a newspaper man.
In GAINESVILLE, Mr.. Bolles explained,
his paper sponsored construction OF
a nine-hole course which gets heavy
daily play, and finds golf in that
CITY one of the favored recreations.
The entire proceeding looms as
one out of which can come better
public golf for Washington. 1t is
the first genuine attempt by COM
mittee of Congress to deive into the
operations of badly neglected
phase of public recreation in the
National Capital.