Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-14
WIN, LOSE OR
GNAH BY FRANCIS STANN
Threat From the West

AMONG THE DISTINGUISHED visitors in our town
today is William T. Waggoner although it is possible that
most sports page readers won't place him right off, This
is because the gentleman Johnny ComeLatey to power
boat racing They he can't miss if he sticks with it,
Even in a sport costly racing unlimited hydro
planes which the heavyweghts of the game Mr. Wag
goner is apt stick with his hobby long his
thusiasm holds out For pocket money he pretty well
fixed what with being heir to So million cattle-and-
oil fortune.
Bill Waggoner turned up to register yesterday at the
Willard Hotel for the 25h running of the Presidents Cup
tomorrow and Sunday the Georgetown Channel He
wearing white mechancstype jacket with Maverick"
scrawed in red the back in his wake stroed
three younger in similarly casual dress his staff.
Maverick is of Waggoner's two hydroplanes The
other, and exciting of the pair the spanking
"Shanty l." This the first three of its four
Lake Tahoe Gold Cup, seafar and Harmsworth Trophy
and leading in the Gold Cup at Detroit when it conked
out in the final heat
WAGGONER WHO DOES NOT drive his boat in COM
petition "a must be young, strong and have great
eyesight" has the bay window to be expected a
of ST. He glasses and mustache His face rudy
from outdoor exposure
II raced small boats years ago." Waggoner was saving
at the Willard $50 the bug isn't precisely But got
interested in these big boats this year and had the hany
built and delivered in May Then in July bought Rebel
sub from Ted Jones and re-chrstened her Maverick"
Were you interested in any other sport?" Wag-
goner was asked Some Texans who afford it buy
stable of horses"
Nov that would be real quick way to go broke" wag-
goner replied big boats and horses No. thanks"
What does boat like Shanty cost?" man inquired
I've heard they high 100000, maybe 100000"
The native Texan who now lives in Arizona and Canada
(near Puget Sound) whistled
That sounds like nighttime estimate" he laughed
Maybe bottle was talking Actually, Gold Cup boat
costs anywhere from $4,000 to $4,000 The Shanty ran
about $25,000"
AN EARLIER LOVE was aviation. Waggoner used to fly
great deal and still copots his private Lodestar But
don't fly alone now" he said. because business pres
sure could ny occasions, guess but weekend pilots
are those who get killed.
Besides" he added noddng toward his three COM
panons I'm kneedeep in flyers right All those fell
lows real pilots"
One his transport pilot, Bill Eyster Another wear
ing pink-andwhite sports shirt 1t Col Bill Stead
USAF (res) driver of Maverick" The third was It. Col
Russell scheeh UsAF Jet pilot who will drive "shanty
so when the four of climb into that Lodestar it's
a remarked.
II guess so" waggoner laughed "And don't forget
George"
George is the automatic pilot But he needs to be
watched" explained the millionaire.
1T. COL. sCHLEEH who is driving on his own leave
Is big, handsome chap of 81. Like Waggoner he is a
newcomer to power boat racing In fact this really his
first year too.
Col Schleeh may be remembered the XB-47 pilot who
set an unofficial croscountry Jet record years age
from Moses Lake WASH to Andrews Field His average
speed was GOT miles per hour Last year inter-
esed in the big boats asked permission try his hand
liked it.
i raced once-driving what now the Maverick" he
said We sank There about green pea driving
This year he drives "Shanty I" exclusively and other
more experienced drivers longer the former Wash
gton State varsity football player and swimmer
As the foursome prepared TO leave the pits
the Naval Air Station asked Waggoner If he was
correctly quoted in national magazine following the
Detroit Gold Cup race saying "A got to be
------- fool to get mixed up in this business"
] don't think used Just those words" came the reply
although might have I think it was more like a mar
doesn't have to be crazy, but it helps.'"