The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1905-02-02

ed and it be found that money be-
longing to the league is in the hands
of Lucas, 1t is not likely that the club
owners will suffer loss as the presi-
dent, as secretary and treasurer, was
under $4,000 bonds. But the indica-
lions are now that Lucas is holding
the books merely out of a feeling of
perversity and disappointment over
not being able to hold a job in the
league.
Little Bill is gyrating about with
all sorts of bluffs at this time One
of his funniest plugs was when he
flashed what purported to be a tele-
gram from Secretary Farrell endors-
ing the Lucas paper league.
In the telegram Farrell is quoted
as saying that he granted protec-
ton to a league presumably mean
ing the Northwestern and not to
clubs.
Well now the Pacific National
clubs were a league, but Lucas de-
clared them dead.
W " "
On the same basis of reasoning,
what did Lucas have? He had a
map with a lot of towns pencilled
out in what he called the North
western league. In not one town
did he have a club, a piece of ground,
or club manager. There has been
no organization, no election of d.
rectors, no forfeit money and no
league for Lucas.
Instead of a league, or clubs, Far
rell evidently gave the protection
to a man-just one little bit of a
man, hunting for a job.
O O o
The whole affair is coming out just
as l predicted it would Lucas and
McCloskey are up against It, While
denying there is such a thing as a
Pacific National league, they have
rambled about the territory making
frantic offers for p. N. L. franchises.
They can't deny this.
In Salt Lake and Butte they were
turned down. In Spokane, only yes
terday, they again offered Clyde Will
liams $500 for the Spokane fran
chise, at the same time claiming they
only wanted the lease of the grounds.
Q Q Q
President Williams showed his
spirit by quickly turning down the
offer. In this connection he is quoted
as saying:
o o o
after hearing the proposition of
the representatives / told him that
under no consideration would I sell
out to either Mr.. Lucas or to Mr.
McCloskey. All other teams in the
Pacific National league have stood by
Spokane, and have turned down al
propositions made them by Mr.. Lucas
and Mr.. McCloskey, and 1 told the
representative that under no consid-
GRAFTON would 1 sell to Mr.. Lucas OF
Mr.. McCloskey. I know that money
has been offered other members OF
the league by representatives of the
same people to turn Spokane dowr
and have absolute proof to that eff
feet. All efforts to do this have beer
L
| the feeling of the directors, to sci
| out. These tactics have been EN-
ployed in all cities now except Spo
kane, and this seems to be the last
effort to get a legitimate hold on the
baseball situation. There will be only
one league in Spokane this season
recognized by the National commits
|
tional. There will be no compromise
on our part, although Mr.. Lucas anC
Mr.. McCloskey are at liberty to form
an outlaw league If they wish to-
o o Q
| Lucas and McCloskey know full
we'll that two clubs can not exist il
| any city in the p. n. L. territory
| They wrecked the league one season
| by going to San Francisco to com
pete with the Coast league and ne
| man with money is going to throw
| the cash away merely to help then
cripple the present p. N. L. owners.
o o o
Lucas and McC1oskey are trying tC
make some capital out of the fac
that Clyde Williams asked for q
| franchise in the Coast league.
That doesn't injure Williams in the
least On the contrary, he deserves
the support of every loyal fan who
appreciates the efforts made to gel
| the Spokane team into faster com
pany and give better ball. It's only
| n ouestion of another season wher
| this condition will be brought about
| too-and it will be Clyde Williams
who will bo tboplad For If