Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-11
POSTAL IN NO HURRY
IS WILLING TO SELL, BUT WANTS
A GOOD PROFIT.
New Orleans Races-Kramer to Ride In
Paris-Jefries in Perfect Health
Use Of Loaded Balls.

tWenty-Iour hours as regards the sale OF
the Washington base ball club to local cap
italfsts. Mr.. Postal was in consultation
with Wilton Lambert, the counsel for the
club. all morning. and at its conclusion he
said that nothing was done that would In
terest the base ball public. Mr.. Scanlon
was also seen and he had nothing new to
mpart. The two interests are wide apart
as to terms and from present Indications
the chances are that Mr.. Postal will con-
tinue in control Of the club. Mr.. Postal
said:
In disposing of the Washington club I
will have to be as careful in selecting a pur-
chaser as would in taking partner into
business. There Is no organization in the
American League that can be disposed Of
Off hand, as the purchasers must be con-
genial to the other club owners. know
this appears strange in the face OF what
base ball has been in the past twenty years,
but 1t Is nevertheless true and upon this
basis the American League scored its sue
cess. Several Of the Washington capitalists
have resented the fact that President John
son has been my adviser during the past
three days, but the same state OF affairs
would exist II Charley Somers, Mr.. Hedges
or Connie Mack wanted to dispose Of his
holdings in the American League. Nothing
can be done without Mr.. Johnson's consent
and there is not a club owner In the Amert-
CAS- regards the price I ask for the club,
the local capitalists who think of buying
1t should realize that the base ball situation
today is far different from what 1t was last
summer or even a couple Of months ago.
Then our players represented nothing in
monetary sense, while today they are an
asset that figures away up in the thou
sands.
ington club and desired to do business along
the lines mapped out by the Messrs. Wag-
ner. I believe that the full price paid for
the club could be realized through the sale
of players alone. Then, in addition, the
purchasers would have franchise in the
American League and could go along MAX
ing expenses with a cheap team. All this
has been brought about through the peace
leagues. Last summer all we had were the
grounds and franchise. Now the players
are under control and can be classed as an
asset.
Not Eager to Sell
Several Of the local capitalists have OBJ
tanned the impression that am anxious to
sell my holdings in the Washington club.
Nothing could be further from the true
situation. I have been given chance to
buy part OF Mr.. Angus interest in the De-
troit club on account Of my intimate rela-
lions with that gentleman, and as that city
is my home naturally lean that way. But
for being on the anxious seat as regards
Washington, it Is to laugh. The expense
roll Of the club for the coming summer is
big, but with the worst sort Of luck I can
not figure profit less than $4,000 on the
season with good big chance Of it going
higher. During the next two years, with
the peace compact in existence, matters will
still look brighter for the club owners and
better profits are sure to materialize.
''One thing the local capitalists should
realize and that is that nothing In the
transaction he done nnder
Everybody interested in the purchase must
come to the front so as to give confidence
to the local patrons Of the club. and al
though do not know that they desire to
keep in the background, the quicker they
realize that old National League methods
will not do the quicker we will get together.
expect to remain in Washington until
the end of the week and something definite
may yet come out Of the negotiations"
Catcher Bill Clarke Here.
Another visitor to town yesterday was
Catcher Bill Clarke. who ran over from
Baltimore to see President Postal and look
into the local situation. Mr.. Clarke thinks
so well of the Senators for the coming
summer that he says he Is willing to
'fbutt' into the local syndicate If necessary
and buy some Of the stock. When q ball
player is willing to part with his money in
this way there must be substantial rea-
hanty. Clarke said that the big fellow must
be retained at all hazards.
" Del Is popular with the players, and
I am sure II he plays up to his old-time
form the patrons OF the game will soon
forgive man who desired to take ad-
vantage of an offer that insured Kim S24 loo
for three years work"
Catcher Lew Drill called on President
Postal this afternoon for a hurried visit
and spoke enthusiastically about the sign
ing of Shortstop Moran. Drill also lauded
the efforts Of The Star In trying to con-
vince President Postal and Manager Lotus
that Delehanty Is wanted in Washington
Drill Is enthusiastic over the outlook for
the coming summer, and says he Is willing
to wager that the Senators get in the first
division.