The Washington times., 1903-08-02
FRED POSTAL HERE,
BAN JOHNSON DUE
TO ARRIVE TODAY
President Of Baseball Club
VIII Sell His Stock.
TO RATIFY DEAL AT ONCE
An All-ArOund Shake-Up Expected
Which May Mean That Lotus
VIII Be Deposed.

Fred Postal. president of the Wash
ington Baseball Club. arrived in this
city yesterday. fully determined to sell
his holdings in the local club, and Ban
Johnson, president of the American
League. Will reach here this afternoon
and in all probability will at once
ratify any deal which Mr. Postal may
make
Mr.. Postal arrived here early in the
day and spent the major portion OF his
time with an intimate friend. one who is
deeply interested in affairs baseball.
and Wilton J. Lambert. the clubs at
torney
The friend referred to desires that his
name be withheld at the present time.
but freely discussed the situation last
night.
Postal personally told The Times
sporting editor at the ball grounds yes
terday afternoon that he was here TO
sell. if he could get his price. which IS.
in round numbers, 81 a share. However,
he declined to say who the prospective
purchaser is. He positively announced
that he would sell, that the money is
ready and that he would Immediately
thereafter become largely interested in
the Detroit Club
Frosty Reception
Mr. PostaI's visit to the ball park
yesterday afternoon was not parucu-
larry pleasant one.
In fact his reception was chilling
frost. LOTUS did not put himself out
to make the clubs president at home.
and Charlie Jacobsen, vice president Of
the club. stood aIoof and gazed into am
bient space when looking in Mr.. Pos
tails direction.
Gene Cochran occupied the box with
Mr.. Postal. and did the honors OF the oc-
casion. afterwards taking him to the
Cochran. Genes handsome apartment
house. where he is now quartered.
The situation as it now stands is that
Postals stock viii be purchased, not
later than Monday. at the figure desired
by Postal. and by party. or parties. not
enamored with Lotus and his manage
ment
Holds Whiphand.
Postal holds the whip hand, his inter
est amounting to nearly 81. 900. while
LOTUS stock foots up in the neighbor-
hood OF $500. This means fight to
the finish between the two, with the
chances n favor of Postal
Should the deal go through as coz
templated by Postal and Lambert. Pos
tails friend IN this city. a man we'll
known in the baseball world and one
long identified with the game, will be
at the clubs helm next season and
many changes in the teams roster may
be looked for.
Backed by Johnson
Ban Johnson is with Postal heart ana
hand, and a denouement in the local
field may be looked for at any moment.
Mr.. Jacobsen. when seen prior to the
game, yesterday, said that there is a
..barreT of money in Washington with
which to buy out Postal il the figure is
right, and that ne is in favor OF the
controlling interest of the club falling
into the hands Of local men. He al
that time did not know Postal was in
town, and was prone to believe that
all talk of his heralded arrival was a
mere canafd
Deal About Closed
one or the stockholders or the club
last night said: You can safely assert
that the Postal interest in the club is
as good as sold, and a few moments af-
ter Ban Johnson's arrival here the
sale Will be ratified. Furthermore. there
will be a shake-up in the club that will
Jar some OF the rooters. Washington IL
good ball town. and We are going TO
give # a winning team and our war cry
will be new blood"
When asked II Michael Scanlon would
be made manager of the team. he closed
up like clam. looked wise, but pleased.
and went on his way rejoicing.
Scanlon Reticent.
Mr. ScanlOn was later seen, and while
willing 10 discuss the affair generally
he refused 20 make any statement. and
would not admit that his name had been
put forward for the management of the