The Daily Alaska empire., 1948-03-23
SOAP BOXERS GET UNDERWAY FOR 'A RACE LAST MIGHT
Rule Books Distributed and Changes Explain
 ed fer This Year

The first Soap Box Derny meeting ol this year was held last night at 7.30 o'clock in the grade school auditorium with 29 boys from all age groups attending.
 Although the attendance was con sidered fair for the first meeting Don Skuse pointed out that more entrants and a greater interest in the event are necessary if the Ju- neau race is to be continued in the future All boys who attended, and those planning to register, are urged to encourage participation by other boys. Last years entries numbered 26 cars, five of which were from Sit ka. The closing date for registra- ton will be announced later.
 When distributing the 1948 offic- ial rule books, Skuse explained that the AT specifications have been greatly modified and that all boys should study the books thoroughly in preparation for the next scheduled meeting will be given to questions concerning the race and building the cars. The date of the next meet ing. at which 1t is expected to have films of last years race, will be an nouneed.
 Concerning the ou.l6'ng changes, slulse said that windsnielGS would not be permitted this year and all toys pay particular attentioa to ar ticles dealing with brake and steer ing alterations.
 He exacted attention to one rue governing the building of cars, Any entry who has had assistance nom his sponsor. father, or other persons when building the car, will be dls- qualified from the meet. The ex- ception to this rule is in the case of class "C" entries, composed of the 9 and 10 year group, which may re- ceive help when building the car The date for determining the age eroun in which boy belongs VIII be June l.
 Relative to this years sponsors skuse said that arrangements would be made later and that a better spirit of cooperation would be eX- pected from the boys. He explained that last year good number ol the boys failed to work the neces- sary time to pay for their wheels which were donated by establish ments in the city. All toys whose wheels are furnished by a sponsor this year are asked to fulfill their obligations and work the oeslreo time for payment.
 And when speaking of wheels, the price will be SIP this year instead of s6 paid last year. Skuse explained that through an error in the line of distribution, the boys bought last years wheels at less than cost.
 Tn line with the building the cars, Hank Harmon manual training in- struCtor at the high school, says he will make the sEop available to boys tor doing the'- .nd work and other carpentry -equirtng shop tools. However" Hand added, T don't want it to be worked as done last year and as will be this year Ii the boys put every ,ning off until the last minute" harmon explained that he couldn't have all the boys in the shop during the last week before derby day, and asks that they com plete the parts requiring the shop as soon as possible so that every boy will have his chance.
 Frank Maier winner of the Jul neau meet last year, spoke at the meeting last night and presented an exceptionally well done resume of his trip to Akron During his sum- mary of the wonderful time had at the national meet, which included nights at the hotel when he and other boys amused themselves With throwing water on passers-by below,