Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-01-14
THE DIAMOND.
DICK CROKER
 OWNS GIANTS
So Says a Stockholder and Intimates Freedman Still Has a Say-Jim hutrie to Be Helped By Old Players.

Quite furore was created ill base bali circles yesterday by the announce ment of stockholder in the New York base ball club that Richard CrOker was tie principal owner of the. Giants and that John, T. Brush, in declining to play the New York Americans, was not acting of his own volition. but was obeying the orders from some one "Eigher up.'
 This stockholder. who now comes to the front with a positive statement that Croker is the real thing, when the Giants follow any set policy, says that tic boss's interests in the club are looked after by Andrew Freedman, which state of affairs has so often given rise to the rumor that Freedman is still the main owner of the team.
 When asked what proof he had to offer that Croker owned the team now, tins gentleman said
 Because. as q stockholder. I know wlo holds the majority of the stock. { When at the end of the season of 1894 1 went to Europe. two of my partners quietly disposed of their shares in q club to Andrew Freedman. Fourteen hundred and forty shares were dis posed of for something like $52,OOO. l was notified by cable of the sale. On my return here in the following spring I went to MT Freedman and offered to buy his stock, or rather the stock he purchased for MT Croker, for $125.OOO. Mr Freedman thought l was joking, but; said he was not prepared at the tiiae to accept the offer. as he had to consult some one else before he could act. Later, when MT Freedman reject cd inc offer. raised the price to $l5O,- O0G. and then to S175OOO, but again ly offers were refused. learned later that Mir Freedman had only acted in the purchasing of the stock in behalf of Mir Croker. and I still know that Mir Crnker has that stock, which today Is Il very valuable piece ofmophrtr. { '
 T did not think very much of Mr Brush until he assumed charge of the New York club, and must say. from the standpoint of a minority stockhold- CT, that he is a very shrewd and capa. .,le business manager. Mr Brush has not all to do with the running of the ciub's affairs. He has to consult those above him, yet he is given full rein in nlaly things which pertain to the run hing of the club.
 "As said before. I wish l owned the Giants: not that.l would have a better team here than Mr Brush has gotten together, but for my love of the national game. and because of the ,aluc of the stock. l am strong be- lieyer in harmony. and instead of as. Suming the position that the National league has taken. to try and disfup; the American league, would turn my efforts toward bringing the two leagues together on Il more friendly nasis. There is room in New York, Philadelphia. Boston. Pittsburg and Chicago for two clubs. anl if the two leagues worked in harmony, base bali would prosper in all of the cities.
 Il believe in post-season series be, tween clubs of the two leagues, as it tends to create d friendly rivalry be tween the players and stirs up the en- thusasm of the fans. While l think Nr Brush is a good business man. l nm not in favor of the position he has taken in refusing to play the High. iandcrs. and I firmly believe that in the position he has assumed he is guided by the dictation of those higher up in the club .....r 'H