Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-07-27
SPOTLIGHT
SPORTS
Dream Becomes q Nightmare
By BILL FUCHS

WASE1NGTON'S NEW STADIUM, in the course of two
years has progressed from ancifu dream to frghen-
ing nightmare for those in charge of building it. II the
stadium is built George Shea will retire nightly with
the bSsful thought that the phone will not ring and
breakfast more will become an uninterrupted pleasure
when first got the job" Shea says, Il thought it
would be easy Nothing to it. You make the necessary
plans and you build stadium"
There has been legislation counterlegiSation, voices
of Congressman acutey aware that votes are not to
be had in the District contract obstacles and wrangeS
over the site and shape All these have contributed to
turn Operation Stadium into Operation Confusion.
Shea sunny-faced, middle-aged graduate of Holy
Cross and Yale Law School, has conducted his prac-
tice from the office in the Tower Building for rs
years AS part of his assumed responsibility to the city
that him n he agreed several years ago to serve on
the Armory Board There pay-t is strictly vol
untary bodyand duties were simple enough merely over
the operation of the large National Guard house on
East Capitol street
But then, two summers ago. the Armory Board was
nrused with the responsibility of constructing the much
talked about outdoor arena.
Chairman Shea and his fellow-worFerS rolled up their
sleeves and went to work First they borrowed S2oO for
an initial survey of the landste Then came trouble
So
is NO SECRET that sitting in Congress certain
individuals who would go any lengths it seems to keep
Federal funds from making life better for voteeSs District
residents Latest torpedo aimed at the new stadium was
launched by Representative Gross of Iowa.
The voters of the Third District of Iowa may take
comfort in the knowledge that nothing gets by their
chosen agent bill authorizing the Interior Department
to provide parking areas and other facilities for the sta
dunn almost got through the House floor two weeks ago.
Eagle-eyed Gross spotted technical error in language
thus sending the measure back to committee.
There were other roadblocks thrown up before this
one and presumably will follow The Interior Depart
ment willing to do its share but getting the green light
from Congress has been narrowing ordeal.
It is the Interior Department, incidentally which Will
wind up with full title to the stadium The original idea
was that the stadium would belong to D. c. I'VE had to
otoor Ono pfc
idea he'd almost be willing give Congressman Gross title
Just so long the project is completed
RELATIVELY MINOR stumbling blocks have been the
reluctance of Calvin Griffith and George Marshall to put
their signatures on contracts that would insure the new
stadium of the major league baseball and football teams
Marshall wants better deal for his Redskins, and for
CAL we'll nobody is sure what he wants.
Rumors persist that Griffith still is nursing the idea
of moving his team elsewhere Such a would not
necessarily put stop to construction provided the way
is paved for ground breaking.
Shea and his colleagues originally set January, 1861
as the target date for completion OF the job
1--WE might not be able to hit it,, Shea comedies Not
now But we can come close if we get going soon"
The proposed stadium should be beauty 1t will be
circular except for side that will be flat The flat side
will be doubedecked. 1t will seat 435OO Tor oaSeoa
and $4,000 for football.
"Wen have more seats between the goal lines than
any other stadium in the country Shea says. You know
lot of people ask why don't have stadium that seats
100000 Well believe me- it wouldn't work We would have
to float too many bonds and then there's the cost of main
tenance 1t has been all worked out very thoroughly"
1T HAS BEEN hectic two years for Shea, whose legal
mind no doubt appreciate the why's and wherefores
behind the Armory Boards involvement The fact that the
proposed site adjacent to the Armory had nothing to
do with it. It just that other suitable group or
department, in government out legally equipped
for the Job None had authority borrow the money
for the survey
1t reminds this confused Sideliner of the buffet that
sat IN the dining at home. The right cubbyhoe Of
that antique still can be with the minds eye a
treasure Of broken crayons beat-up books scratch
paper If something didn't specifically belong
where elSe you put it in the buffet.
But then the items thus placed completely for
gotten to be redScovered in moment of surprise in the
future. Shea and his colleagues aren't forgetting the
stadium project put their Sdeboard. Sometimes they
probably wish they could