The Washington times., 1903-08-07
Whole Affair SaUors of a
Tempest in a Teapot, and
There Are Bat Slim Chances
of its ConSGn,mation.
Postal, Lotus, and Johnson
Held Conference Last Night
and Again Today, and Still
Say "Nothing Doing. ''

Despite the fact that Ban Johnson,
Fred Postal. Tom Lotus ct al held a
lengthy conference at the Hotel oxford
last night no sale has been announced
Of the Washington Baseball Club as yet.
Again this morning Messrs. Johnson,
Postal. and Lotus met, this time over
chops and coffee at the New Willard.
where they were seen by the sporting
editor of The Times, yet each and every
one shook his head. looked wise. and
said ''Nothin' doin'."
When asked If there was any Iikeli-
hood of an agreement being reached
today, Postal said NO" in a solemn
tone; Lotus buried his head In his pa
per, and Ban Johnson's cherubic counte-
nance was frightened by a smile as
filtered through the windows.
Nothing Doing"
Still ''nothin' doin--' and the books
settled up. Postal willing to sell and
Jacobsen as eager to buy-a surprising
state Of affairs, and one to be taken
with huge grain of salt.
1t is plainly evident that hitch has
is willing to discuss, and at the same
time both have been prone TO shift the
burden OF the delay upon the shoulders
OF the others.
Yesterday in discussing the delay
Frank Hiss said Mr.. Jacobsen's hest
fancy in closing matters at once, is a
natural one; that he does not care to
burden himself with a load of the clubs
debt, and Will not pass over the funds
until he knows exactly what the club
owes. Furthermore, he said Postal, IN
accepting Jacobsen's offer, did so upon
a net basis; that is, TO take SO a share
for his stock and be released from all
liabilities.
Opinions Differ.
Quite wide diversity of opinion when
the position OF the other side is taken
into consideration.
Postal reiterated yesterday afternoon
IN the presence of Ban Johnson and Ell
mer Allor. at American league Park,
the trio viewing the game from rear
seats in the grandstand-that he asked
So for his stock. and was willing 10 pay
one-half the clubs debts.
Meanwhile those who also made Postal
an offer for his stock are clamoring for
an answer. and say they are receiving a
raw deal; that they have the money and
are sufficiently well acquainted with the
clubs affairs TO take over stock, debts
and all at once The man heading the
outside syndicate was hot-footed on
PostaPs trial all morning and was de-
sirous of getting a positive answer.
To Protect LOTUS.
When seen this morning the man in
question said that Ban Johnson alone Is
responsible for holding up his offer. be-
cause he we'll knows it would mean that
LOTUS would be forced out. and that he
(Johnson) has every reason to desire to
protect LOTUS. because Of services rem
dered Johnson IN the past
Just whether these services were rem
dered when Lotus was il the National
League. or since he entered the new
born association. he would not say.
The Scene Shifts
Postal said he intended leaving town
tonight with Mr. AlIor for Detroit. Lof-
tus departs with his team for New YorR.
Ban Johnson goes along.
Hence the scene OF operations shifts
and there viii be but few regrets here.
in consequence. since the whole affair
savors OF a family row. but lately patch
ed up. and the chances are nothing at
all VIII be done. Postal Will remain as
president Of the club with Lotus as its
manager. and the sale rumor result in
little else than tempest in a teapot.