Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-26
SPORTS OF ALL SORTS
History Of the Negotiations
for the Senators.
PRICE TOO HI G q
HORSES BEING SHIPPED DAILY TO
BENNING TRACK.
Many Bowling Battles-Races at New
orleans-Sharkey and Munroe
Ready to Fight.
TOO HIGH

The Washington correspondent of Sport
Ing Life has the following details In this
weeks letter of the decker for the Senators;
Since your last issue the deal for the sale
of the Washington club, which has looked
like a cinch all the way, has fallen DEAD.
John R. Mclean, acting for himself and
James w. Wadsworth, having Informed
President Ban Johnson that he is out OF 1t.
Thus the house that Jack built, with the
assistance Of James W., collapsed. 1t was
but a house of cards-mostly deuces. These
are the men who bid for the mugs who
play for the guys who cater to fans VINO
read what the marks can say of the skates
who live In the house that Jack built inc
history of the transactions so abruptly ter
minated Is as follows. according to infor-
nation from an exceptionally inside source:
Bidders took the initiative about the eno
of November. John r. Mclean of this city
and Cincinnati approached Mr.. Lambert.
the attorney of the Washington club, with
proposition to become its owner NO
terms were named, but the prospect or
adding a gentleman of Mr.. McLean's prom
inence to the American League forces was
an alluring one, especially when it was
learned that Representative James w.
Wadsworth Of Geneseo, N. Y, VINO mas
practically resided in Washington for many
years and has built home mere, was asso.
Johnson came on about December d, ana
price was agreed upon, as he supposed, ana
the affair practically closed. Tne nsure
named was satisfactory. but not excessive
and on the evening Of December MT.
Johnson made an engagement over the
long distance phone with Frank farren 10
breakfast with him in New York the next
morning. Some discussion arose over oe-
tails and the American League leader was
obliged to depart December 10, leaving the
negotiations in the hands of Attorney VIII
ton j. Lambert -
Then the bidders commenced trying TO
ha miner down the price. When Mr. John-
son came to town q few weeks later he re-
Sumed the bus. ness with Mr.. Mclean, VINO
acted for Mr.. Wadsworth also. The Amer
lean Leagues $4,000 beauty is hard to
bulge from a pat stand, but the desirable
ness of the would-be buyers Influenced him
to make concessions. In one session they
beat him down 5000. and the next day
they were after him for further reductions.
Mr.. Mclean would not make proposltlon'
but spared for chance to land effective
ly. Again President Johnson was called
away and the pour-parlers with Mr.. Lam
bert were resumed At length. February
4. Mr.. Mclean made proposition MI
Lambert took 1t to Chicago. Ban john
son was away. At last, Thursday, he
CO me to Washington to try to close the
deal. The proposition of the local capt.
talists named a figure which Mr.. Johnson
regarded as entirely inadequate Neverthe-
less, he was disposed to make great sac
rifices for the sake of interesting them In
the club and league. 1t also contained
conditions with which he said it was i'm
possible for him to comply, however much
he might be disposed to satisfy their de-
mands. 1t was conjectured, although he
did not say so, that these conditions were
not consistent with the national agree
ment under which professional base ball
is conducted. and were, in part. physically
impossible. In short, he seemed to think
that they should not have been made. The
negotiations continued. however, to an
amicable interview on Friday, at pm.
At pm. Mr. Mclean. who was i'll. sent
word that he was out of 1t. Mr.. Johnson
was urged to see him the next day, but
wisely decided not to, and left town Sat-
urday. There is very little doubt that the
league will carry the club, though this
will not be certain before the meeting.
March g. In Washington base ball is the
white mans burden. Ban Johnson will
any one kin, he kin This Is where the
coterie of knockers. a small one in WASH
ington, will have a chance to score. They
need only the bray of some jackass to
mobilize them. and 1t Is likely to be forth
coming. OF course. the withdrawal of
Messrs. Mclean and Wadsworth Is dis
appointment, especially to those who con-
slider nothing but filthy lucre. But there
is no cause for dscoura cement. The club
is in the hands of Ban Johnson. who is. by
common consent the ablest and strongest
leader ever known in base ball. 1t is ap-
parently his purpose to demonstrate the
value of Washington a base ball city,
and that should be an easy thing to do
Who Is afraid. then? Let the gong ring!
Let the game go on. and let the police eject
him who first cries. Hold, enoughp'