Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-11
SPORTS OF ALL SORTS
Ban Johnson's New York
Grounds Still a Mystery.
NEW HURDLES BOB UP
FLAW IN NEW LEASE SAID TO BE
THE DIFFICULTY.
Horse Owner Ruled Of at New Orleans
big Year for Golfers-Auto
League on New Lines.
NEW HURDLES BOB UP

Not withstanding the definite announce
ment made by President Ban Johnson last
Monday night that the American League
had secured grounds In New York city and
had signed a lease for them and that he
would give out their location. Johnson again
failed yesterday to give the base ball public
the information they are waiting for.
The American League magnates were In
session until midnight yesterday. During Q
recess johnson, looking weary and discon-
ISOLATE, made a statement.
ITO have to postpone the long-expected
announcement again." said he. "distresses
me. am just as anxious to give out the
desired Information as the public Is to get
It. When the reason for all this delay IL
made known the followers OF base ball will
thoroughly understand our position in the
matter"
"Wnl you say that the location will be
made public tomorrow" Johnson was
mo. SIR. will not make any more proph-
ecies.''
Twill you give out the names Of the New
York owners of the club?
Not until 1 give out the location OF the
grounds. All this Information will come out
together"
Efforts were made to find some tangible
reason for further delay after -Johnson's
y,
could be learned. All inquiries addressed to
the magnates when any Of them happened
to appear in the Fifth Avenue Hotel lobby
were met with blank stare. Johnson was
tai flaws had been discovered in the lease,
neceSSitating resurvey Of the grounds. He
simply refused to answer.
Henry Killilea, the Milwaukee man who
owns the Boston club Of the American
League, did the outside work for the mag
mates. He was on the go nearly all the
afternoon. 1t could not be learned whom
he was consulting with. By night Killilea
looked tired. worn out and disguised. He
also refused to answer any questions.
The American League officials have prided
themselves on the expeditions way in which
they have conducted their meetings. They
have now been in session since last Thurs
day morning and appear to be no nearer a
decision on the grounds question than they
were at the beginning of the meeting.
President Johnson has repeatedly made
the statement since last August that the
American League would surely have
grounds In New York city this season. He
sticks to the same statement now, and no.
body doubts that johnson and the other
American League men are making every
possible effort to locate there. At the same
time base ball men are of the opinion that
there Is a serious hitch somewhere in the
negotiations far more important than the
resurveying Of a portion Of the grounds Sc
lected.
One prominent politician has been quoted
as saying that for certain reasons the
American League could not secure grounds
in New York city. Whether his implied OPP
position has been smOothed over has not
been made public. a-.
A story in circulation yesterday was to
the effect that the New York stockholders
of the club object to the American Leagues
system Of doing business. All clubs now in
the league have deposited so per cent OF
their stock and the lease. of their grounds
with President johnson. This, 1t was said,
the Gotham hackers positively declined to
do, and that the magnates could not agree
on the proposition of changing their con-
stitution to meet the present case.
A well-posted base ball man said yester-
day: "'ss -
The interest In the American League
grounds In New York city Is universal for
the reason that with the Americans once
firmly established in New York city they
will be In position to give the National
League harder fight for patronage than
ever. Many followers Of base ball, includ-
ing several National League magnates, say
that 1t Is impossible for the American
League to get into New York. For these
among other. reasons 1t Is up to Ban john
son. Killilea. Comiskey and the others to
secure their ground and give its location to
the public at the earliest possible time"
The American League yesterday re-elect-
ed Vice President Charles w. Somers OF
Cleveland and named the representatives of
the Chicago. Washington, Boston and st.
Louis clubs In the board of directors.