SPEEDWAY RACES POSTPONED ON ACCOUNT OF BAD WEATHER

ALL DRIVERS BUT ONE WILL BE HERE

Burman Will Not Appear in Delayed Programme Unless He Cancels Another Contract.

NEW DATE IS AUGUST 7

Big Benefit for Ball Club Also Will Be Held Same Day.

A postponement of seven days of the automobile races scheduled to be held at the Speedway tomorrow, was decided upon yesterday noon by the officials of the Prince Speedway company and W. Decker French of Davenport, Iowa representative of the contest committee of the American Automobile association.

According to the rules of the A.A.A., each driver who entered in the race is allowed a release from his contract by the postponement. All, however, with the exception of Bob Burman, have agreed to stay for the race a week later, it was said by officials of the speedway last night.

Burman May Be Here.

Geis Botsford, who is acting as press agent for the races, did not seem to know last night whether Burman would be here for the race Aug. 7 or not. Mr. French and Fred J. Wagner, official timer, however, said that Burman would appear if he can secure his release from the match race to take place in Chicago Aug. 7, at which he, Barney Oldfield, and Dario Resta are scheduled to appear.

Burman began immediately upon the announcement of the postponement of the race yesterday to attempt to arrange a postponement of the Chicago event so that he can appear here. The following telegram was sent by him to Paul Franklin of the Chicago Motor Speedway last night:

"Have not heard from you regarding date of match race. Des Moines postponed until Aug. 7 account of bad weather. This interferes with proposed Chicago match race. Could it be arranged to stage match race on some other date. Have good chance to win. Answer promptly."

French Orders Postponement.

G. Decker French, representative of the contest board of the American Automobile association, clothed will full authority from Richard Kennerdell, chairman of the contest board yesterday ordered the postponement of the race from July 31 to Aug. 7.

Mr. French made full investigation into the condition of the approaches to the track, of the parking space, and weather possibilities, condition of the country roads. It is said he also conferred with a large number of the men in the auto trade in the city and with other business men as to the advisability of a postponement, and after listening to everyone, ordered the postponement in accordance with the condition printed on the entry blank and which has been approved by the contest board.

This condition is No. 1 of the blank as distributed and published in the newspapers and provides for Saturday, Aug. 7 as the date to which postponement shall be made. Later dates would have conflicted with the Elgin road race, one of the annual classics and which the A.A.A. protects against other events.

Entries Remain Almost the Same.

Immediately the postponement was granted the management gave to all drivers or entrants the notice of postponement required by the rules and all of these, including DePalma, the Duesenberg entries and Ralph Mulford, with but one exception, have already waived their right to withdraw and continued their entries. The entries were not, and will not be reopended, so that there will be no additions to the list as announced for Saturday.

At the same time Starter Wagner announced a call for all drivers to appear on Sunday at 2 p.m. for elimination trials.

It has also been arranged to hold a match race for a distance of less than twenty-five miles in which three drivers to be announced will participate. It is settled, however, that Bob Burman will be one of these. DePalma will not participate in any event prior to the big race.

O'Donnell to Try Again Sunday.

Eddie O'Donnell, who was unable to go for more than ten miles in the matinee Sunday because of tire trouble and the danger this would occasion on account of the incompleted apron from track to safety zone, will make another trial Sunday for the fifty mile track record.

All elimination events and practice runs will be timed by the electrical timing devices and will be under A.A.A. sanction, so that times will be official and published. Mr. Wagner will be the director and a representative of the contest board will be on hand for the A.A.A.

The proceeds will go largely to drivers and entrants in recognition of their loyalty in waiving withdrawal rights and continuing over for the big race on Aug. 7. There will be but one gate for the events, to-wit, 50 cents.

The Rock Island will provide a special train for Sunday leaving at 1:45 p.m. sharp.

Every Iowa Town Notified.

Telegraphic flashes announcing the postponement of the speed derby were sent to every telegraph office in Iowa yesterday afternoon. Operators were instructed in the messages to notify every garage owner in their territory of the postponement.

Wrestling Bouts Off Too.

Owing to the postponement of the speedway races from tomorrow until Aug. 7 on account of protracted showery weather, the wrestling match scheduled for the Coliseum tomorrow night will be postponed one week, according to information given out last night by Oscar Thorson, promoter of the athletic show.

"The wrestling matches and other athletic entertainment which we have planned is to be held in connection with the bill offered by the Prince Speedway company," Thorson said. "The contracts are made for the evening of the automobile races and we can stage the event on no other evening."

Shafford Is Injured.

Thorson yesterday received word from Chicago, that George Shafford, the heavyweight who is matched with Earl Caddock would be unable to compete on account of an injury in the leg received while in a practice bout with "The Terrible Turk." Thorson yesterday kept the wires to New York and Chicago white hot and promises that if Shafford cannot compete another will be provided to take his place. He intimated no expense would be spared to bring the best man here possible.

Both Stecher and Managoss were in the city yesterday but with the postponement it is probable they will return to their home training quarters until the new date for the match is near at hand.

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