SPEEDWAY WILL HAVE ADVERTISED DRIVERS ASSERTS BOTSFORD

Recent "Frost" at Omaha Cannot in Any Way Affect the Meeting Which It Is Proposed to Pull Off Here.

"The Des Moines Speedway association has not advertised a single driver with whom it has not made arrangements," said Secretary Botsford of the Chamber of Commerce relative to the auto races scheduled for July 31. Mr. Botsford claims misleading statements have been made relative to the speedway association and its management, and in a lengthy statement denied reports that owners of the Omaha and Des Moines track were identical.

He said the local track belonged to Henry R. Gering, Samuel Orlof and John Prince, who never had any interest in the Omaha race game, altho they did have a contract to build the Nebraska track, later repudiating the same. Mr. Botsford said the Des Moines races would be conducted under American Automobile association auspices and that Richard Kenerdell, chairman of its contest board, would personally direct the events here.

"We have obligated ourselves to the extent of $5,000 thus far to secure drivers, this being in addition to purse," said Mr. Botsford. "We realize the Omaha race was a disappointment but are confident conditions which prevailed there on July 5 will be lacking in Des Moines. No other race is scheduled until September, giving us the pick of the drivers."

Mr. Botsford said he had personally checked correspondence, contracts, telegrams and entries and asserted arrangements had been made to secure O'Donnell, Oldfield, DePalma, Burman, Cooper, Alley and Chandler. A splendid offer has been made to Resta, it is claimed.

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