Omaha daily bee., 1906-06-10


a franchise for Omaha IN the new league.
Had he gone into the deal the Western
league would have been over with then
and there. At this time Rourke stood
with-Packard Of Denver, Van Brunt OF ST.
Joseph and Burns OF Colorao Springs It
turns out that Packard was simply repre-
senting Tebeau, and did not own the
team or franchise. At no time has Rourke
publicly OF privately, advocated the drop
ping Of the Colorado teams Two years
ago, when every team that went west lost
money on the trip. Rourke demanded that
change be made that would give him
at least his expenses for going to Denver
and Colorado Springs when Burns laid
down at Colorado Springs last season,
Rourke and Mike CRntillon made the ar
rangements for the team at Pueblo. All
these things are known to the men in
connection with base ball.
-
In the recent trouble Mr.. Rourke did not
say he would break up the Western league;
he did say that he would close his gates
and disband his team before he would per
NIT on his grounds another such exhibition
as was furnished by Cantillon and Doyle,
over which the trouble started, and he did
say he would withdraw from the league
unless some relief from the conditions COM
planned OF was furnished. The Omaha fran
ohise in the Western league is worth all Of
s15, OoO and Rourke is not foolish enough
to throw this away just to crafty bit Of
pique or personal spite He is a base ball
man solely, and knows that he must be in
a we'll organized properly governed league
to prosper. It is unfair to him to hold him
responsible for statements made by news
paper correspondents. Since the meeting of
the magnates here last Saturday he has
positively refused to say a word for publ
cation. and all statements sent out as
coming from him are manufactured He is
satisfied to abide by the will of the ma
jority Of the Western league owners. who
are his business partners and associates.
What he wants is good play and proper
conduct on the field.
Back Of all this is the all-pervadlng hand
OF the American league. Rourke Is get
ing to be too big figure In the base ball
world to satisfy some of the men who are
directing the destinies Of the game. II he
were identified with the Comiskey crowd
things would be all right. But he isn't
He Is allied with the National league, and
has been at all times. He was close TO
James A. Hart and is now close to Charles
w. Murphy in Chicago. His communica-
lions with the American league magnates
have always been friendly but never con-
idential. The American association is d.
vided into two camps, and Rourke is In
sympathy with one of them. This happens
TO be Bryce Watkins-Grilio. over against
this trio stands Tebeau-Lennon-H avenor
Comiskey is interested with the Cantillons
and this brings the connection just a littlC
more plainly into view Tebeau cannot
afford to let Rourke get the upper hand ir
Wetsern league affairs, for this will weaker
the control of the league by outsiders
Tebeau and Cantillon, and through thes,
Comiskey, now dominate the Western
Rourke is a minority member. They do
not want him in base ball, but he own!
the franchise in the best town in the West
ern. and one Of the best towns in tn,
country. If they Gan drive him out OF bas'
| ball, a franchise worth anywhere up t.
$4,000 will fall into their hands. The res
Is easy. If you want to know how easy
just recall the fact that In 1902. when h,
was sure that the Western league wa!
broken up, because he was helping t
wreck II, George Tebeau assisted Bill,
Hulen In selling to Tommy Burns TIA
franchise for Colorado Springs. receiving
$500. and Burns didn't even get bat bal
to show for his money. What would Te
beau, Cantillon and Comiskey do II the,
had the Omaha franchise to dispose of
Norris o'Neil says he has a man in view
to take the Omaha club any time Rourk
gives it up. That's nothing. Rourke ha
been offered fine price a number of time
by Omaha parties, and any time he want
to sell out there are at least three mel
In Omaha who will take the franchise OF
his hands. No wonder this crowd want
to drive Papa Bill out Of Omaha. It is
little the best thing In the base ball fell
just at present. It's well to keep thes
things in mind when discussing Western
| league affairs.