Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-04
SPORTS OF ALL SORTS
Negotiations Still Pending for
Local Ball Club.
MANNING GOES HOME
"PITTsBURG PHIL" REPORTED AS
A PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER.
Many Bowling Battles Last Might
Fine Basket Ball Contests-GoH
at Palm Beach.
MANNING GOES HOME

What little interest renamed III the iocai
base ball situation was taken out OF II last
night when James H. Manning left WASH
ington for his home in Kansas City. MT.
Manning reached Washington about three
weeks ago for short visit on business con-
nected with the explosive company OF
which he is the head in the west. but was
doubtless kept here by the local capitalists
in the hope that something definite would
turn up. and that he could be secured to
manage the Senators. Nothing has deyel-
oped in the buying line and Mr.. Manning
started for home last night Before leaving
he said to a Star reporter:
Nothing to Say.
'sThere is absolutely nothing for me to
say about the Washington base BAH stu
alton. I'll admit that I was approached
by certain persons looking to an engage
ment Of manager. and / gave them my
figures for three-year contract. The pur-
chase of the club by Washington people
was close to contamination several times,
but just now the sale looks to be far away.
and I have concluded to go home. have
not been bidding for the position at any
time. but 1 have not been backward about
expressing a liking for Washington. and
nothing would please me better than to be
at the head of a winning club in this city.
From other sources 1t was learned that
Mr.. Manning received straight-out offer
from President Johnson when the latter
was in this city. and from this information
1t is seen that the Kansas City man Is well
thought Of by the American League presi-
dent. As one stakeholder of the club ex-
pressed it yesterday, lit is Stool shot that
If the local people buy he will certainly
come. and should the American League
hold on, there is not a better man in sight
than Manning, and President johnson is
fully aware of this fact
The Present Situation.
The negotiations looking to the purchase
of the Washington club by a local syndi-
cate have not been dropped. but it seems
as though the two parties cannot get to-
gether. President Johnson believes the
stock is worth a certain amount and re-
fuses to bulge an inch from the set price.
The local people are confronted with still
propositions in the way of securing new
grounds and the law as to keeping the
clerks at work until 4:30, and for these
reasons want the property at bedrock fig
ures. This is the rope upon which both
sides are pulling.
Another phase was given to the negoti-
atoms yesterday when an entirely new cap
italist 'cut in to the situation with a good
offer; but his name is withheld, as he does
not wish to be known unless the deal goes
through. He is amply able to carry the
Washington club from financial view
point and should he secure the club there
will be something doing here all next
summer.
The greatest bar to the local people get
ting the club is the fact that President
Johnson has several wealthy out-of-town
capitalists who stand ready to buy the club
at his own price whenever he says the
word. When last here Mr. johnson said
that a weH-known Pittsburg man had made
him bid. but that he favored local capt.
talsts for all his clubs where the plan was
feasible. The Washington club does not
owe one cent at present the American
League squaring UP all the debts. and who
ever makes the purchase will not be sad
died with last seasons losses.
A Tip From California
Something important can be looked for
within the next week or ten days. A mes
sage from Les Angeles says that President
johnson reached that place yesterday morn
ing and that he was in close conference
with George f. Smith, ''Pittsburg Phil"
Mr.. Smith is one of the richest spectators
in the racing business. and great friend
of Frank Farrell. the owner of the New
York club. He also halls from the smoky
city, and. gathering these threads together,
it can be seen that prospective purchaser
is not far off. Thirty-five thousand dollars
will buy the club and put it in running
order on new grounds for next season This
is quite a formidable sum for the Wash
ington Syndicates. but to Mr.. Smith it Is
simply the amount he generally bets on a
race horse when he gets the right Informal
ton. Such men as Farrell and Smith are
good to have in base ball. as they possess
the sporting spirit. and will not be looking
to the financial returns all the time before
buying players. Farrell lost a barrel of
money in New York last season. and took
his medicine like thoroughbred George
Smith is of the same sort, and, should he
go into base ball. would strengthen the
American League wonderfully.
The return of Mr.. Johnson to Chicago
and the consequent giving out of news con-
corning the Washington club will he