Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-04
POSTAL AGREES TO SELL
JACOBSEN WILLING TO BUY AND
THE DEAL Is CLOSED PROMPTLY.
Change Of Control Of the Local Base
Ball Club-New Owner Promises
to Improve the Team.

President Bancroft B. Johnson Of the
American League, arrived in Washington
last night about II o'clock and in about
fifteen minutes, actual time, had straight
ened out the muddle existing between Presi
dent Postal Of the Washington club and
Manager Lotus. Mr.. Johnson is a past mas
ter in handling just such little difficulties
and this one proved no exception to the
rule.
After President Postal Manager Lotus,
Vice President Jacobsen and Mr.. Johnson
had collected at the Oxford, the following
conversation ensued:
Mr.. Jacobsen: DO you want to SELL your
stock?"
Mr.. Postal: Il do
Mr. Jacobsen: How much do you want
for it?''
The price was then named and accepted
and the deal closed. Nothing was put 90
paper to bind the bargain. Mr.. Jacobsen
is man of his word and the legal formal
ties of the deal will probably be completed
late this afternoon at the Office of Wilton
]. Lambert, the legal representative of tile
club.
Prior to the meeting at the oxford, Mr..
johnson had a few minutes talk with each
of the parties represented and when they
came together there was little to be done.
Manager Lotus was particularly elated
at the outcome of the affair and he Is anx
ious to demonstrate that he can place
winning ball team in Washington. The
players, when they heard of the deal this
morning, were also glad, as they recognized
the fact that Mr. Lotus is prince of good
fellows and a splendid manager to work
for.
AS to the charge that Mr. Postal has not
played fair with Mr.. Lotus and the minor
ity stockholders in this city, 1t can be
stated that when the former in this
city last spring he could have disposed of
his stock at figure very much higher than
he is getting in the present deal, had he
desired to leave Manager Lotus in the
lurch The principal reason that has led
Mr. Postal to make the sale is the fact
that while he is the largest stakeholder in
the club he had very little to say in it's
management.
This may be all right in base ball." said
Mr.. Postal this morning. but where my
money goes must have some say
What Mr.. Jacobsen Says.
Mr. Jacobsen is also pleased with the
deal He Is a stanch believer in Manager
LOTUS and his methods, and is positive that
with any sort of luck that the latter can
place a winner here.
Il have always thought the Washington
club should be owned and controlled by
local people. and when l discovered that
Mr.. Postal would sell out laid my plans
accordingly" said Mr.. Jacobsen this morn
ing to a Star reporter
The club is a valuable piece of property
and believe l have made good invest
ment, continued Mr.. Jacobsen Many
new players will be secured his fall, and l
have instructed Mr. Lotus that he will
have all the backing necessary in securing
the men he desires. l am as tired of los
Ing club as any of the other Washington
fans, and the local patrons can rest as
sured that there will be nothing left undone
to brace up the game in this city"
President Johnson refused to discuss the
local situation in any of its phases con-
tentlng himself with the remark that the
American League is in splendid shape and
that In getting the Washington club into
local hands his organization is strength
ened thereby
Mr.. Postals legal representative Mr. AL
Tor, also reached the city yesterday and il
is expected that they will be able to leave
for home by tomorrow evening. Both gen
tlemen are fond of the trotting horse and
as the grand circuit races are on at Buff
falo this week they will probably return
home by way of the lakes, taking in the
big meeting.