The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-08-19

his name was F. w. Robinson, that he
was a conductor on the Northern Pa
cifc and lived at 1922 Dupont avenue,
he lied. ~. -.
O'Brien admitted to the writer, with
in two weeks, that this man was pro-
tecting his job by using an alias. Pro-
tecting the fact that he was an hon
est man 50 that his employer could not
find it out and fire him for telling the
truth! s~.
O'Brien, Tebeau and the rest, if they
knew this man was telling lie about
his name, residence and occupation, did
not SO inform the Chicago reporters,
but apparently let it 60 forth as true
with the possible intention Of further
besmirching the Minneapolis club. I
do not know anything about the truth
or falsity Of the three affidavits accus-
ing Owens, To knock them out, tho,
cleaner evidence should have been
brought than that Of man, an anony-
! nous man, skulking behind the alias.
He was produced bv private, detective,
| relative Of whom was offering for $50
an exclusive story" to the effect that
the three affidavits accusing Owens
| were false, to ST.. Paul newspaper
three or four days before the meeting
in Chicago. A fair, impartial tribunal
would not 90 on such evidence. The in
nocence or guilt Of Owens should have
been established beyond all question as
the charge was serious one and neither
the association nor the umpire can az
ford to have any cloud over the clean
up.
Then came the suspension Of Kelley
and Lydiard and it looks as tho the
decks were cleared for the "expulsion -
Of Kelley from the league. If this
comes it will probably precipitate bit
ter legal fight in which the whole mat
ter will be canvassed in the courts.
Kelley is justified in appealing to the
courts and protecting his ights and in
terests if such hig handed proceeding
should be carried thru.
If such drastic action is taken it
means almost a death-blow to profes.
sional baseball in Minneapolis. Those
who follow baseball are lovers of clean
sport and lovers of clean sport are ever
lovers of fair play. There is a feeling
that Minneapolis has been made d foot
ball of by the powers that be in the
. American association. The city will
not stand it. The blame For the trend OF
affairs is laid, by the fans, at the doo1
Of the Tebeau- Havenor-Lennon trio and
there il feeling among the fans thai
they would sooner see Minneapolis in &
state or city league rather than con
tinue in league wherein. such. q condi
tion Of affairs is possible.
Kelley has made his mistakes, as al
men do, but he is far from being thu
trouble-maker and rowdy that he hal
been painted. He came to Minneapolis
last winter, bought home and is I;
bona fde resident Of the city. The Min
neapolis club is governed by local di
rectorate and the city was freed from
the old faint Of syndicate baseball. TIL
fans took pride in the, team at TIL
beginning of the season and supported
it as never sbefore-supported it with
out n1urrnnr THU all its losses Of tn
spring and early summer. rs g.
i Then came the reversal and the team
started to the top. Owens came an
trouble followed with the wrecking o
all pennant hope by O 'Brien 8 acts. I
looked too much like continued knock
The political game was played to
, strongly with Minneapolis as the ia,
get. Kelley was marked for his defea
of the Lennon faction in getting permits
, sion, to: manage the team from tn
bench. He took sides against Lennon
, Havenor and Tebeau in the ball COZ
, troyersy. The ak was ground privately
=. 1t is poised now and may fall Wedne'
: day.
, If Kelley's head goes into the baske
) it will mean that a lot Of patient TO
| lowers of baseball in Minneapolis wi
: take theirs next season watching the il
dependent teams. 1t might mean gras
: on the steps Of the grandstand at Nico
) let park. .'-.
/ That is why folks smile when som