The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-11
FROM MIR. LEACH.
Gives Washburn Side of Baseball
Controversy.

Controversy
Frank M. Leach, manager of athlet-
les at Washburn, has written a state
ment giving Washburn's side of the
controversy with the city railway over
a baseball park. 1t is as follows:
To the Editor of the State Journal:
The Topeka Street Railway company
has repeatedly within the past few
days given to the public the statement
that it viii not furnish a park as it
has promised to do. because Washburn
would not live up to the contract as
agreed to by the board of athletic con-
troll. When negotiations We're opened
for the lease of the Washburn Athletic
park to the Topeka Street Railway
company, 1 notified Mr.. Kelly that
any valid agreement regarding such
lease would have to be made with the
board of trustees of Washburn col
lege. Mr.. Kelly then called upon Mr..
A. B. Whiting, chairman of the COM
mittee on buildings and grounds. Mr..
Whiting told Mr.. Kelly that before the
trustees desired to make such a lease
they would want to know the senti-
ment of the athletic interests of the
college, how such a lease would affect
the college athletics. and that such in
formation could best be secured
through the board of athletic control
at the college. Mr.. Kelly and I then
discussed the effect such a lease as
was desired by the railway company,
would have on our athletics, and upon
what conditions 1 thought the board of
athletic control would look favorably
upon such a lease.
From these suggestions, which per
tain only to athletics and not to the
protection of the college property, or
effect which such lease would have on
the college, Mr.. Kelly had the railway
attorney draw up such provisions in
the form of a contract. to get the
matter before the board of athletic
control. Mr.. Kelly presented the
matter to the athletic board. which
agreed to the provisions as presented
after amending several of them Mr..
Kelly was told by Mr.. Whiting that
the action of the athletic board would
be merely advisory in the way of Civ
ing to the board of trustees the SEN
timent of the athletic interests of the
letic board at which this agreement
was passed uDOn and at which Mr..
Kelly was present, it was distinctly
stated that the action of the athletic
board counted for nothing until rati-
fed by the board of trustees, as they
alone had authority in the matter.
The board of trustees added several
provisions for the protection of the
college. The one which the street
railway refused to ratify and which
upset the whole deal was that the
street railway company should extend
the track 500 feet west to the park,
instead of discharging the crowd at
President Plass' front door. The pro-
vision the street railway company re-
fused to accept. In the face of these
facts, the treet railway company has
accused the college of bad faith and
breach of contract. and under this
cloak it attempts to shield itself from
the ignOminious contempt of this
community which their action in this
matter so Justly merits. They are
not satisfied with having thrown over
board the league team which has
gone ahead, largely on account of the
promises given by the street railway
company, but they seem bent on an
tagonizing and alternating the friends
of Washburn college and Washburn
athletics. We have worried along
with the abominable car service
which they have furnished us, but
when they attack our claim upon the
support and good will of the Topeka
people we must protest. To attempt
to shield themselves in this manner
is cowardly and contemplate.
f. NJ LEACH