had no paid admi sions. That fact was an-
nounced from the very start of the tourna-
ment, some five weeks before the actual
playing even got under way.
Our firm, however, didn't end its promo-
tional angles with the climax of the tourna-
ment. In fact, all the pictures, all the press
clippings-all the angles-will be con-
den ed into a book for distributors to dis-
play around the country. It gives a smash-
ing pictorial review of what actually de-
veloped at Springfield and we, at ational,
feel that this type of proinotion work will
not only help National, but the entire
industry.
While the average location owner can't
promote the kind of setup that occurred at
Springfield, he can, if alert, create interest.
He can start leagues-the lifeblood of the
sport. Once he has created that, he will
have spirited competition-and news for
his local newspaper. He also can get pic-
torial value from his boards if he contacts
a photographer. In many parts of the coun-
try, manufacturers' representatives will
pitch in and start leagues with the owner's
approval. In that respect, National has a
cracker-jack man in that field of work,
Sol Lipkin. Though one of the firm's oldest
employees, he's young in years, a thinker,
and a so-called hustling salesman. He helped
put over the Springfield Tournament with
the aid of local men there.
The East has been lax in this type of
promotion_ It never had the pay-for-play
setu p; but in some parts of the East, loca-
tion men are starting it. This is encouraging
because it means new shuffleboards will be
replacing the old and out-moded type. The
Ea t had league play at one time, but it
tapered off. The heavy war busine s period,
perhaps, caused shuffleboard to drop its
league play. But tb.e trend is different today.
The locations need a business hypo and are
looking for shuffleboard to Keep customers
in line for hours. Television is no longer a
fad. Many a business man has placed a
high-priced television set into his establish-
ment. He does fair business, but he can't
hold that busines over a long period-as
shuffleboard can.
That's why there's a new feeling, a new
interest, in the East despite heavy taxation
of the boards. But most Easterners are in
the thinking groove again in regard to
shuffleboard as a money-maker, and are
starting league play with the idea of putting
over the pay-for-play games. We are pound-
ing the pay-for-play angle heavily in the
East. We are doing it through our own
publication; through puhlicity in various
columns of newspapers, trade magazine
and port columns. It promises to bear
some fruit, but there is hard work ahead.
The overall picture may change. If the
East ever re-converts to league play, we may
then be in a position to put over our biggest
aim-an All State tournament, and perhaps
even a World Series of Shuffleboard. The
idea isn't far-fetched.
It will take the sweat of the industry's
brow, the know-how, the hustle, the willing-
ne s to promote and keep on promoting. We
are eager and willing to do our share-and
will. If anything can put over the ea tern
angle and then a World Series, it will bc
hard-hitting promotion work. The start of
it is in locations.
St. Louis Shuffleboard Meet Bolds
Industry Spotlight
gation from a manufacturer, were permitted
to it in on the sessions, but could not vote.
The program opened with a general ses-
sion for all, with general chairman Lee S.
Wheeling on the rostrum. Greetings from
the St_ Louis industry were tendered by
Walter Gummersheimer, head of Lindell
Sales Corp. Objectives of the conference
were explained by Ed Mullen, editor of
Shuffleboard News, and Irving Sandler, of
Des Moines, Iowa. Then the group split
up into manufacturers, distributors and
players. Manufacturers heard Adolph Braun,
president of the Shuffleboard Co. of Amer·
ica, speak on "Bury the Hatchet." Braun
pointed out that stress and conflict have
been a serious drawback in setting up a
tandardized game, equitable commission
and fee arrangements, and outlined plans
whereby all concerned could benefit the
game by settling upon standardized meth-
--------------------------------------- ods in each part of the country.
In another auditorium player heard
"Get Acquainted" from AI Jarvis, Runny-
mede, N. J. chairman. Introductions and
some discussion of the need for rules fol-
lowed. In the Wedge Room of the hotel,
distributors and operators were likewise
introduced by Irving Sandler, Martin Ba-
lensiefer and Louis Ritter, veteran distrib-
utors.
Lead talk of the first afternoon session
was by John C. Schanzle, of Chicago, on
"How Can We Set Up a Strong Distributor-
Operator Unit within the TSAA?" Impor-
tance of immediate operation as a tight
organization to meet slumps in sales and
receipts was stressed by Schanzle. It was
proposed that distributors and operators
work out standardized buying, operating,
financing and installation nlan on a test
basis, with later recommendations for or-
gan ization plans.
Manufacturers and players mel for a
discussion on adoption of offIcial rules at
W AX-OLA is preferred by shuffleboard oper-'
another auditorium, with Adolph Braun
ators, location owners and tournament p layers
and Gus Stumhofer, as chairmen. Reports
because:
by William Raab, of American Shuflleboard
Insure a bener game-
o Laboratory tests and years of use have
Co., and Dean Douglass, of Standard Shuf-
proved that W AX-OLA provides longer life
neboard League, covered te t of various
Insure longer surface life-
for your shuffleboard.
rules and their results.
Insist on W AX-OLA's Big
A co mpelling discussion, during which a
• W AX-OLA prevents warping and chip-
Three
dozen speakers advanced their idea, fol-
ping and is UNCONDITIONALLY GUARAN-
Powdered Wax
lowed in "Profits and Promotion" for dis-
TEED against scratching, pitting or harming
Paste Wax
tributors and operators, in the late after-
your shuffleboard surface in any way.
Cleaner
noon. Stunts by which operators had in-
• WAX-OLA provides smoother, faster,
creased play, means of getting location
easier play under all climatic conditions.
• DISTRIBUTORSHIPS
owners to boost the game, good adverti ing,
AVAILABLE
Write for details and price list.
etc., were outlined, for the benefit of the
group.
On the second day an important subject
for di tributors and operators was "Scoring
Devices-Sales to Locations." Experience
510 FRANKLIN AVENUE
•
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•
Phone NUTLEY 2·4084 of operators with increased play due to
Western Distrib. Pearl Wax Product, 76 Riverton 'Drive, San Francisco, Calif. colorful coring boards, and the successful
by Robert Latimer
The First Annual Conference on Table
Shuffleboard, held in St. Louis June 27 to
29, at the Hotel Claridge, proved a re-
sounding success as a preliminary get to-
gether of players, manufacturers, distribu-
tors and allied trades, but left many "bugs
to be ironed out."
The Table Shuffleboard Assn_ achieved
a really remarkable feat in assembling a
full program and more than 300 conven-
tioneers.
Due to the large number of speakers
in the player-distributor-manufacturer joint
meet, extemporaneous speaking was limited
to 3 minute, while parliamentary proce-
dure was abridged in the matter of voting.
Each manufacturer was given one vote,
each player and distributor the same. Non-
spon. ored players, attending without dele-
Made by the
Largest Manuf acturer of
Shuffleboard Waxes
WA,X -OLA CHEMICAL CO.
10
CO IN MACHINE REV IEW