Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-14

ANGLE
By LEWIS r. ATcHIsoN

In 1887, the first year the
Redskins were in Washington,
they sold 958 season tickets and
General Manager Jack Espey
had a hard time peddling the
broadcast rights for $4,000.
In 1947. at the height Of a war
born prosperity boom. they sold
81, IA season books and a fellow
had to know SOMEBODY to get his
hands on one. From that peak
the figures declined to 1912 in
1858. It was back to $4,000 last
year but the 1856 sale today
passed the 10000 mark and club
officials expect to double that
figure.
I All this is by way Of leading
into an annual problem that
crops up when newcomers want
to buy tickets. "a couple in the
stands" meaning the grand
stand, is the casual request. but
they've got to be between the 20
yard lines. It's an impossible
request If last years ticket hold
ers renew their seats. and most
will. Just for the heck Of it,
Ticket Manager Russ Swami
broke down the "undercover"
seating capacity Of the grand
stand between the goal lines for
us. and the figure is an eye
lopener.
Il From goal line to goal line
there are only 6,597 seats under
cover at Griff1th Stadium. This
] isn't counting the boxes, which
are unprotected from the
] weather, or seats in the end zone
along the first base rightfleld
lime. but only those down the
,Ileftfield line which the fans value
so highly. This compares favor
/ ably with other parks used. by
| National Footballs League teams
. such as, for example. the 102. 900
seat Los Angles Coliseum, which
has only 10000 seats from goa
lime to goal line. It also ex.
;lplains why everybody can't &c,
two in the stands"
They say that Sylvan King
who still buys a substantial
'Iblock, was the first big season.
ticket holder, purchasing about
half of the 958 sold In '37. An
Iold Central High School player
'Iwho later matriculated al
Princeton. where Uncle Phi
King had been a star and
Brother Milton might have beer
one but for an injury early In
his career, Sylvan's long wait
for a Princeton man to appear
!. ion the Redskins roster may be
rewarded this year. The Red
skins expect to sign Halfback
, Royce Flippin, one Of their late
, draft choices.
] You could get a couple oi
/ good football teams out of the
: "regulars," a list that includes
;. Mai. Albert Cox Of North Caro-
lima, Charlie Fenwick Of Virginia
Dutch Bergman Of Notre Dame
Admiral Emory s. Land Of Navy
Gabe Murphy of Georgetown
and a host Of others. And with
men like C. M. Tompkins, F. M
Connie. George Ray. Fultor
Lewis. Senator Stuart Syming.
ton Of Missouri. j. A. Krug anc
; Judge Edward Curran among tn.
; ipew-holders, you can see what
la cross-section of the town.
business. civic and social life Ii
; interested in the pros.
1--WE see a reflection Of Wash
. Iington'S changing life across thu
! ticket counter" General Man.
: lager Dick Mccain was saying
to-day. Some of the notes are
rather pathetic. widows giving
up seats because of their hus.
!, bands deaths. some old-timer.
,, requesting lower locations be.
, cause they can't climb steps, OF
.. not renewing because they cam
get around like they used to.
: Some write asking for a thirc
seat-usually couples who startet
going to the games when keeping
!, company and who now have
children big enough to go with
. them. One wrote and said thu
, baby was too big to sit on hi
,, lap anymore.
: One year a seat came oper
next to a man who had two
, grandstand seats and one In thu
, bleachers, so the club auto.
matically exchanged the thirc
/ lgrandstand seat for the odd one
|, It was q mistake. Seems thai
, he used the distant seat for q
r ladyfriend. Sometimes the Red.
) skins get a note asking that the
listing be changed from Mr.. ant
Mrs. which could mean q d.
vorce. Some ask for new loca-
J. Itions because nearby fans are
: too noisy and abusive towarc
visiting players.
While the ticket business goe.
!, on, Coach Joe Kuharich and hi.
, aides just as briskly 60 about
the business Of putting the 1856
roster in order. The talk about
, Joe going to the University Of
Washington next season ha!
. faded away. In fact. they are
gagging it up about that matter
"You may say that Kuharict
definitely will coach Washington
next season." is the stock reply
: now when the question comes up
| Joe says he was only trying te
be polite In saying that he woulc
listen to any proposition the