Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-01
TWO MINES FROM
THE CAPITOL
Representatives Propose a Ball
Game to Settle the Question
of Sectional Supremacy.
By r. NJ. LARNER.

Occupants of the cloak room of the House
of Representatives were witnesses of an ami
mated discussion a day or two ago between
Chairman Tawney of the appropriations
committee and John Wesley Gaines of Ten
nessee. Tawneys black eyes flashed and his
wry frame was a-quIver with excitement
while Gaines equally emphatic with gesture
and shaking his leonine mass of silver hair,
seemed greatly excited. Those who wit
messed the animated gestures of both prin-
cipals did not presume to intrude close
enough TO hear what the argument was
about. They surmised that matters of grave
national import We're under discussion, and
an impression prevailed that Il was of a
sectional nature. AS 1t subsequently devel-
oped, the discussion was sectional, but not
of the grave nature indicated by the actions
of the participants. There was a tempo
rary cessation of the flow of language. and
simultaneously Messrs. Tawney and Gaines
called some of the bystanders into consulta-
ton. What the two gentlemen had been
discussing was a mystery no longer. for
while it was a matter of national impor-
lance 1t concerned the national game OF
base ball.
Mr.. Tawney, it appeared, had declared
that the north and west developed the best
opponents of the national pastime. to which
Mr.. Gaines demurred in an outburst of
rhetoric and oratory. His answer to Mr..
Tawney's suggestion was that the section
south of Mason and Dlxon's line was the
best field for developing base ball players.
In proof of this he cited the fact that the
teams of the big leagues were sent into
Dixie every season to fit them for the Cruel
ing work they would be called upon to per-
form during the playing season farther
north and west.
This was a poser for the chairman of the
appropria tons committee particularly as
Mr n uni iG m nv n
duclng a copy Of daily paper and reading
a few details from the training squads of
the various northern and western teams. 1t
degcnerated into a free-for-all discussion a 6
to the merits ofthe different sections, with
particular reference to base ball, which
finally eliminated in a unique proposition.
Ball Game Proposed.
II will choose thirteen men in Congress"
said MIR. Tawney. "as representatives of the
north and west and you can collect an
equal number from the country south of
Mason and Dixon's line. Politics will be
barred, and our sole aim will be to get
husky, energetic ball players, from which
two teams will be selected
That is perfectly agreeable to me" re-
piled Mr.. Gaines. but after we have chosen
two teams, what will that prove?"
Il am coming to that" said Mr. Tawney,
land my idea is this: We will get together
some time before Congress adjourns and
play game, or series of games, for the
championship.
Now you talking business" chimed
in Mr.. Gaines, and the crowd surrounding
the two gentlemen voiced its approval of
the idea. There was only one objection,
and that seemed to be who should compose
the respective teams. Nobody wanted to be
Osierized, and no one would admit being
unable to swat the ball and run bases. 1t
was finally agreed that suggestions would
be received, coupled with applications from
all who desired to take part in the proposed
test of endurance and skill. One of the first
points discussed and settled was that Gen.
Bingham, the father of the House, should
officiate the umpire.
Then the names began to pour in upon the
prospective managers. Mr.. Tawney chose
for his side Henry Clay Suzer of New
York. President Roosevelt's son -in-law,
Nicholas Longworth of Ohio; Chairman
Foss of Illinois. head OF the naval affairs
committee; Mr.. Sullivan of Boston, on ac-
count of his name and the fact that he had
trimmed William Randolph Hearst; the
Siamese twins of railroad rate legislation,
Messrs. Esch and Townsend, of Wisconsin
and Michigan. respectively; BERTHE Adams