The times., 1899-05-12
Stands by Wagner.
70 The Editor Of The Times:

To the Editor Of The Times:
By way of an exordium, as the orators inau-
gurate their cbullitions, l will say that have no
AK TO grind, no enemies to punish or friends TO
reward. Neither am | plugging anybody's game
along. Yet feeling OF fairness aetuates me to
write few lines in behalf of Mr.. j. Earl Wag
ner who is accredited being the main NOV
ing spirit of the luckless Washington Baseball
Club. Criticisms and anathemas totally unwar-
ranted have been showered upon him by those
who do not know the man. He has been held
up TO the gaze of the public 4 baseball
broker as a seller OF players for profit, and
cold blooded magnate" who cares nothing for
the real interests of the game, but looks upon
the sport a method of putting shekels in his
pocket by The barter and sale OF men who gain
u livelihood by means Of their profession. What
nonsense! BY way OF indictment from the sore
heads, kckeTs, grlmblers, and fat heads | will
admit that the career of the Washington Club
under the Messrs. Wagners management or con
troll, for the past several years has been fail
ure and disappointment. No more SO to the
public than TO them. But in answer | will state
what | esteem to be facts. Within the six years
that | have been more or less connected with
baseball business in Washington in newspaper
capacity a reporter and correspondent, | have
my first time to discover the slightest Indication
the part of Earl Wagner to turn down" the
local public. OF course, the grlmbers will cite
the sale of PLAYERS. and say | am suborned wit
ness and am talking through my hat. Very well.
viii the circumstances warrant the criticism?
| think not OF what material use were Selbach
! and Farrell. both Of whom drew big salaries. to
the Washington tram last season? They were
| record and individual players and were more
| anxious about their batting averages than the
success OF the club. They did not give Mr. Wag-
| ner their best services and were continually
| chewing the rag" and disheartening the other
| PLAYERS with filings. Baseball is matter of dol
| lars and cents well sentiment. consequent
| " Mr. Wagner let Stlbach and Farrell go. Kick
| ers and safety players are Of no use than
| bunch of minor leaguers- Star players otter
| illustrate The old aphqrlsm that YOU lead
| horse to water but cannot make him drink.
| Now as TO the present situation Manager irwin
| has gathered what he thinks is fast aggregation
| OF youngsters and certainly his knowledge of bal
| players cannot he discounted. In his day, a sta
! player himself, and successful manager OF tn,
| Philadelphia and Toronto teams. who can honest
| Iy say that he does not know his calling? II,
/, SAYS give his men chance and instead OF WELD
| ing hammers throw bouquets. MANY a horse ha
started bad at the post and finished well in thi
| stretch The Senators have made poor begin
| ming hut the crd is afar Oft and the scotfcrs
! snecrs might return as Dead Sea fruit before III,
| ides of October. As ! am given to underSan,
reports of the transfer of games from Washington
| to other cities of the League circuit withou
| foundation. The Senator's will play their game
| at home rs per schedule, matter the patronage
| Now, in conclusion, word TO the fans: Would i
| not he better to encourage the team and assIIr,
| il your loyalty rather than stand around ant
| knock? The best club in the League would los
heart and go 10 pieces if the people of their hom
| town should set them and make a mountain
[ out of every molehill OF an error or loss of
| game Ii is the only ball club we have and le
| US do our best by 1t though we die in the las
ditch. 1t is easy 10 praise winner. but it is thu
| true. dyed the-wool rooter who stands by hi
| team in the time OF its adverslty. "Everybod,
| up'' REGULAR.
| Washington, May II.