The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-14
IT WAS STAGE MONEY
RoURKE HAS NO $500 FORFEIT
FOR AMERICAN Ass0CIA-
TION FRANCHISE
WESTERN MEMS WAR FUND
1T Is proposed to Have the Magnifi-
cSnt Reserve of $4,000 on Hand
to Meet Possible Hard
Times.

IF the American association magnates
may be believed, the fanatics will soon
discover that the bombshen hurled into
the fight by William Rourke, of Omaha,
is filled mostly with wind.
Yesterday the papers told of Rourke
Latest move. In the press reports the
Omaha baseball man was made to say
that he owned the American association
franchise for Omaha, and that If neces-
srv he would fight in the courts any at
tempt upon the part of the American men
10 hand this franchise to any new man.
On it's face this report made Rourke
look the real brains of the opposition to
the American association. On the face,
this report had the American association
pushed back into bad hole.
With Rourae holding the American as
sociation franchise he could have the
law on his side in holding up the plans
of the new organization. This association
could not compel him to announce his
position until the opening day of the
American association season. Rourke
could hold the franchise until the last
minute and then when he dropped it the
American would find itself with the ball
season on, and one of the towns OF its
circuit without team.
1t was enough to win the applause of
the fanatics and yesterday Rourke looked
the dean of the wise boy school, but now
the American magnates have told their
side and the props look knocked out from
under the Omaha mans short=tlme
pedestal.
Rourke, according to the American as
ISOLATION magnates, only thinks he owns
the American franchise in. Omaha and
some of the club owners of the new or
ganization are mean enough to say that
they do not believe Rourke even thinks
he has the Americans Omaha holding.
George E. Lennon, in discussing this
latest claim Of the Omaha man, said that
Rourke was boot and baggage out of the
American association and that the Amer
lean will, when ready, put the man it
selects in Omaha
In talking about the Omaha franchise
Mr.. Lennon gives a little assistance to
the search for the $500 that Rourke looked
separated from when he left the Amer
lean, and jumped back into the Western.
Was Not Real Money.
Many stories have been told about that
$780, First Rourke had the money up and
generously forfeited it to save the West
ern from smash-up. Then another
story came out of Omaha and according
to this tale Rourke had been wise and
had delayed the posting, of his $500 guar
antee Now Rourke is saying that he
has deposited $500 with the American and
that he, William Rourke, is the sole own
er of the Omaha franchise in the Amer
lean association.
"Rourke is out Of the American assoct-
ation," said Lennon when asked regarding
Rourke's latest claim. I'VE are not
bothered about Rourke for he has vio-
lated the articles of Our constitution, and
is out of the organization.
"Rourke was really never member OF
the association. He was at the Chicago
zAH fl1nlz
to form the new organization, he was
called upon to deposit $500 as a guarantee
that he would go through the season
The franchises, according to our constl-
tuition, were to be awarded to the men
paying in the guarantee money.
"Rourke explained that lie did not have
the money with him, but promised 10
mail check to Mr. Hickey. The check
was not mailed, and when Rourke met
Hickey at st. Joseph he informed him
that he was through with the American
and intended casting his lot with the
Western.
THAT'S the story of Rourke's $500 guar
antee. He has not paid his guarantee,
ana for that reason is not in the Amer
lean association. We are not worrying
about what Rourl1e has to say"
The st. Paul critics who appear anx-
ious to keep this city i'll the 'Ebush league
class of the baseball world are laboring
most strenuously to force an opening for
the Western in the Twin Cities.
Rourke's claim that he is to start
things the moment the American people
attempt to tride with the affections of
the Omaha fanatics is sized upon by
these critics as positive proof that the
American is on the run and near the end
of its sprint.
Although Lennon has simply taken a
stand for higher grade ball for ST. Paul
he is blamed by these critics. Every
time the st. Paul man looks forced into
a corner with Hickey and the other