Evening star., 1900-06-25
SPORTS OF THE DAY
Ebbets' Denial Regarding Proposed
Brooklyn Traps6er.
ANALYSIS OF HS STATEMENTS
Race @essk @essk Among ths College
Oarsmen.
CURRENT BASE BALL NEWS

The proposed transfer of the Brooklyn
club to Washington has brought President
Ebbets to the front with a long article, pub
l!shed In New York paper yesterday in
which he denies the reported intention in
the most emphatic terms. The card, signed
by Mr.. Ebbets, is full Of errors and pos
sesses little Importance, as he is known as
a "fgurehead'' in the base ball world.
When the Baltimore club was transferred
to Brooklyn 1t was found necessary to have
a Brooklyn man at the head of the club to
give 1t a local flavor and also to take care
Of the politicians Of the big city. Mr.. Eb
bets was the man selected for this position
and he was given couple OF shares OF
stock in the club to make his position of
president legal AS far as outlining, or
even suggesting. moves of Importance for
the Brooklyn club the opinion Of Mr.. Eb-
bets does not amount to row OF pins
Mr. Abel, who lives in New York, and
Messrs Vonderhorst and Hanlon, who are
residents of Baltimore. control % per cent
OF the clubs stock Neither of these three
gentlemen has appeared in print with de-
malls of the contemplated transfer. and un-
til they do the subject can be considered
live topic.
But to consider Mr.. Ebbets' statement in
detail. He starts off with charging Presi-
dent Young with saying that the club would
be transferred to Washington. This Is a
mistake Uncle Nick made no positive
statement, but merely suggested the belief
that the club would be here by the middle
Of July Mr.. Young Is fully conversant
with the situation and knows whereof he
speaks.
Mr. Ebbets says that the average at
tendance has been 5000 and including hoh-
days will average 1000 If these figures
should be true the report OF transfer Of
the Brooklyn club to Washington would
never have been started. An average at
tendance of 5000 is something wonderful,
and 1t is known fact that only Philadel-
phia maintains these figures. Chicago and
Pittsburg have been doing WELL but both
these cities are amply satisfied with an av-
erage crowd Of $500 Five other clubs in
the league do not get in the 1000 average
class. as the figures are big and money
winners for any club that can maintain
them.
Base ball reporters. as a rule. do not un-
derestimate the attendance ct games, and as
the Associated Press man has been sending
out 1000, 800, and even 600, as the atten-
dance at Brooklyn, 1t is evident that Mr..
Ebbets' figures are wide of the mark.
Mr.. Ebbets says that with the New York
club playing winning bail. tho Brooklyns
would do we'll. This situation Is acknoWl-
edged. but the Giants are practically dead
ones. and will hardly be resurrected this
season.
The Brooklyn club has leased its present
home for seven years, at a rental Of $400O.
or a yearly. output Of about $500. Mr..
Ebbets speaks only Of the $40.OOO. but fails
to get down to the small sum represented
in yearly rental. To come to Washington
the Brooklyn club would have something
like 5000 year to pay IN addition to the
rental demanded by the National League
for the local grounds. The chances are
National Park would be rented cheaply, as
a successful club here will help all the
others. This lease has been Mr.. Ebbets'
chief argument for the past month In deny
Ing transfer reports. yet when analyzed 1t
is found to be a smah matter
All through Mr.. Ebbets' statement he
harps on the poor business being done at
Brooklyn. yet maintains that the club is
doing well under the circumstances and
has an average attendance of 5000. This
contradiction weakens the whole denial,
which he concludes by saying that Wash
ington Is "a cheap town. The base ball
people Of this city have never objected to
the price of admission, but have clamored
long and loud for a f1rst-class ball team.
With an aggregation like Brooklyn located
at National Park there would never. the
local enthusiasts say, be a kick about the
admission price, and the money that would
roll in would make. Messrs Abel. Wonder
horst and Hanlon forget President Ebbets
inside of q week