Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-10
Washington Base Ball Club
May Change Hands.
LOCAL MEN WANT IT
POSTAL WILL SELL IF HIS PRICE
Is OFFERED.
Bowling Clubs Out in Force Last
Night-New Orleans Races
Big Chess Tourney.

Sensations in base ball appear to be the
order Of the day, and the latest story Of this
sort to be made public Is one to the effect
that President Postal Is to dispose of the
Washington club to local capitalists. In
this case the sensation can be classed as
mild one, and may prove to be blank
cartridge. figuratively speaking.
Michael B. Scanlon, the veteran base ball
manager. has been after the club for the
past three months. and Mr.. Postars trip
east is the direct result of the correspond
ence carried on between the two men. Mr..
Scanlon told Star reporter this morning
that he had ample backing to purchase the
club. but that he would not give a fancy
figure for the stock held by Mr.. Postal
president Johnson has always maintain
ed that he desired local capitalists to have
control Of the clubs in the different Cities
said Mr.. Scanlon, land working along these
lines I have interested several men of
wealth in the proposition to buy out the
Washington club. But we will not give
fancy price for the club. If Mr.. Postal Is
willing to take dollar for dollar for his
stock 1 stand willing to give him a check
for the full amount the minute the negotia-
tons are concluded.
The option on the old National League
Park. at the head of 7th street, is con-
trolled by me, and knowing the value Of the
location 1 fully expect to have the Ameri-
can League games played there If we buy
Mr.. Postal said to Star reporter this
morning:
II have been DESTROYS for some time to
become part owner in the Detroit club. as
that city Is my home, desire that Is only
natural under the circumstances. But my
Washington holdings are far from being
dead-letter, and I am very we'll salts
fed with the present situation. The Sena-
tors are strong in every department., the
national hotto nd
season Is bound to return a big profit.
Under these circumstances it would be a
foollsh move on my part to sell the Wash
ington club. But with the local capitalists
bidding for the club. 1t does not take
prophet to foresee the final outcome IL
l am offered enough money to make it
worth my while to sell out. This Is the
situation In nutshell. I am not particu-
larry anxious to sell. but If the offer is
big enough I am willing to withdraw and
place the money realized from the sale in
the Detroit club
To Remain This Week.
Mr.. Postal will remain in Washington
all week and there Is yet a chance that
he and Mr.. Scanlon may agree on terms.
President Johnson left for New York this
afternoon, but will be kept thoroughly
advised as to the local negotiations
One thing the local people will have to
thoroughly understand and that is that
Mr.. johnson Is the guiding spirit Of the
American League and nothing can be done
ming things that was in vogue during the
days Of the National League and Ameri-
can Association has passed away and I'M
der the present regime there is not a club
magnate ip the American League who can
90 anything without the full convent of
his brother magnates.
This bond of good fellowship has been the
keystone Of Mr.. Johnsons organiza ton and
MT fhn CY,lp
success 1t has become Before the Wash
ington capitalists purchase the holdings
Of Mr.. Postal the president of the Ameri-
can League will have to be thoroughly ac-
quainted with the gentlemen interested, and
unless they are satisfactory to him the
sale will not be consummated.
Charley Moran Signed.
Mr.. Postal is going along as though there
were no sale negotiations in sight, signing
Shortstop Charley Moran. late of the
Georgetown team, yesterday for the COM
Ing season. The figures agreed upon should
make the young player feel unusually good
as they are high enough to be gratifying to
veteran player of known ability. Mr..
Morans services have been held under an
option for the past two months and the
signing of a contract only awaited Mr.
Postal's trip to this city. There will be a
battle royal the coming summer between
Moran and Robinson for the position Of
shortstop. as Manager LOTUS has given it
out that the man playing the better ball
will get the regular job.
Gene DeMontreville called on President
Postal this morning and spoke enthusiast
tically Of the local outlook for the coming
summer Gene will have charge of the
local players until Manager Lotus arrives
and will start training with the men in
the city as early as the latter part Of this
month. DeMontreville has advised Mr.
Postal against southern trip and claims
that Washington is as good as.any place in
the n which IN oct INF
Another subject that DeMontreville talked
about was the need Of adding Duke" Far
rell for the catching department next sea-
son. Farrell is great favorite in this city,
he Is not reserved by the Brooklyn club on
account of difference over money matters,
and the clever NIT artist could be had for