The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-12

In conversation with q Times reporter
j. Earl Wagner spoke at length upon the
embarrassments. snnoyances. and Difficult
ties that seriously Handicapped him IN the
management Of the Washington baseball
club for the years he has been connected
with that organization.
in the first place said Mr. Wagner.
Il had TO cater 10 d cosmopolitan class of
patrons who were constantly affecting me
with their Individual ideas as TO how The
game should Re conducted in order 20
agree with their own peculiar views and
as their opinions as q rule were aniag-
onistic TO the views and feelings of the
local fans ] was kept between the devil
and the deep sea. in constant state Of
nervous suspense. knowing that Whatever
did ! was sure TO incur the enm.ty Of
some faction who felt aggrieycd.
By reason Of the transient element
that composed our patronage our team
never received the hearty and enthusI-
astic support upon the diamond that
characterized the game in other cities
where a purely local audience prevailed
This was discouraging and demoralizing
10 the club. whose good work, like the
work OF ali clubs. can be enthusiastically
inspired by generous commeudation and
applause. This feeling among ball players
is not exceptional. but universal
The pass system is another pernleXiug
and grievous burden that had TO be borne.
There is no club in the League thar has
been more persistentiy and systematically
worked in this regard than the Washing
ton club. For instance. the departments
are filled with embryo statesmen hsilins
from other cities in the country Who OC-
cupy a conspicuous place upon the Gov
eminent pay roll who imagine that an
places Of amusement or entertainment 10
the National Capital are and 10y right
ought to be- free 10 them Failing TO
convince ,he local management that their
claim is well founded. they write-or have
some influential friend TO do soto the
owners Of their home club. asking that
they request the Washington management
10 extend to him the courtesiss Of an an
nual pass. As a result the request is COM
piled with. the pass is issued. and YOU
are expected 10 look pleasant though your
soul is plagued with the spectres o. pro-
fame resentment for the reason that the
beneficiary Of The courtesy is not by any
Of the considerations that prompt or sus-
gest these fsvors entitled to them.
Washington is tne home OF Pres lueut
y f. Young who has a legion Of friends
who must be provided with annual Dourte-
sies on account Of Aud Lang Syue.' re-
quests from which be cannot escape as
much as ] know be would like TO. So there
is nothing 20 30 but honor Uncle Nicks
acquisitions for all the passes required.
J only mention these things 20 show ;hat
the issuing OF annual passes has for many
years been not only nuisance buJ bur
den
Another grievance which is patent 10
all Washington city fans is the work II
unfair and incompetent umpires Beng the
home OF Nj. Young. the new OF unJried
umpire. who is brought here 90 OH .iaJe
in a game is impressed with The import
ance Of The idea that he must show the
League President that he is wholly en-
prejudiced and unbiased and In no sense
home umpire. In accomplishing This de-
sire be gives alI close OF doubtful plays
to the opposing clubs. making IL almost
impossible i'm close contests for the local
club 10 win game that they otherwise
would have won upon It's merits. The re-
suit therefore. is that The Washington
club has suffered from bad unpiriug both
a. home and abroad. These may seem
trivial matters TO The public. uudrseryIug
Of attention yet they have been fraught
with very unsatisfactory consequence