Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-15
SPORTS OF ALL SORTS
Wealthy Syndicate Negotiat-
ing for Washington Club.
@ FF Err e Ell D u P
JOHN r. MCLEAN AND REPRESEN-
TATIvE WADswoRTH IN DEAL.
Bowlers Home From Cleveland Tour
ney-Chess Masters Tourney
Basket Ball Games.
O F F E q Ell D U P

It is more than probable that before next
Saturday night the Washington base ball
enthusiasts will know exactly where they
"are at as regards the ownership of the
local club. Last week Wilton j. Lambert,
counsel for the Washington Club and who
has been representing President Ban john
son of the American League, went to Chi
cago, carrying with him an important docu-
ment in the shape of an offer for the sena-
torial outfit. This document is reported to
have been signed by John r. Mclean and
William w .Wadsworth, representative from
Geneseo, N. Y. and the price offered is said
to be something like $4,000 short of the
figures demanded by the president of the
American League.
Mr. johnson has always been desirous of
having Messrs. Mclean and Wadsworth
join the American League group of mag
mates, but it is question whether he will
recede from his position as regards his
original figures. Both gentlemen are base
ball enthusiasts Mr.. Mclean at one time
owning the Cincinnati club in The old Union
Association. Mr.. Wadsworth is a million
aire paper manufactures and in his college
days was one of the best players of the
university teams. There is Ques ion but
that the acquisition of two such prominent
men to the American League camp would
strengthen that organization as whole
much higher plane than it has been since
professional ball has been introduced in
this city.
Accompanying Mr. Lambert to Chicago
was William j. Dwyer of the Bulletin, who
is also member of the syndicate which is
headed by Messrs Mclean and Wads-
worth. Mr. Dwyer has been energetically
assisting Mr.. Lambert in organizing the
syndicate and should the deal go through
it is more than likely that he will become
the business manager and secretary of the
Washington club
The members of the syndicate are some
what divided over the selection of a man
ager. but it is more than probable that
William J. Clarke, who has been SO pop
ular with the Senators for the past two
seasons. will be Selected for the position.
James Fl. Manning can have the position
If he will take one-season contract. but
the Kansas City man insists on three
year term or nothing, and he may be
passed up fer Clarke.
If the deal goes through preparations will
be Immediately made to remove the Sena-
tors to the old National League Park at
the head of 9TH street and the change
will work wonders for the club. Every
thing around the old park has been torn
down, and new fences, bleachers and a
grand stand will have to be erected The
park is of the most central in the
country. actual time on the 7th street line
from the avenue" to U street being eight
minutes. while the 9th street line is close
up to these figures. The field will be ample
from right to left and the infield is al
most perfect
AS to the players. little can be said at
present. Whoever is selected as manager
will have rough road ahead of him Sc
lecting new talent, but it is believed that
the men under reservation will be ample
to place the team very close to the first
division, especially under such a leader
as the popular Clarke
A special from Chicago says that Mr.
Lambert was surprised that the names of
Mclean and Wadsworth had reached the
public before his arrival there. but practi-
cally affirmed the reports which have been
published regarding the offers of these men.
With such men in control of the club
base ball would be helped not alone in
Washington. but in the league as whole"
he said. II would like to see the transfer
of the club completed soon. but hardly ex-
pect any definite decision before Monday"
He also spoke enthusiastically about
campaign for strong players. He said that
the Hillebrand brOthers-the former Prince
ton stars-signed regular contracts and ac-
cepted 81 eco advance money, and. barring
idle newspaper talk he had heard nothing
to lead him to believe they would not re-
port on time this spring. He figures the
Washington infeld one of the strongest in
the league, and says he has confidence in
the pitchers. With the outfield strengthened
| he believes the team will give a good ac-
count of itself in the race this summer.
Asked as to the prospects of the imme-
date closing of the deal. President Johnson
said
There are several people who are ready
to buy the Washington club. and it may
take some time before we decide to whom
we will sell Mr.. Lambert has an offer
from some prominent men whom we would
like to see in base ball. but 1t is entirely
possible that some of the others will be in
d position to offer terms which are better
for the league. | may make another trip
to Washington before the sale is actually