Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-01
New Year Opens With {
National Game Mystery.
BUFFALO CONFERENCE
SOMETHING BACK OF JOHNSON
MACK AND COLLINS MEETING.
Nelson and McGovern Sign to Fight
Progress in Foot Ball Conference
Crack Two-Year- Odds.

The old year wound up with a base ball
mystery on hand. The question OF the
hour is:
What were Ban Johnson, Connie Mack
and Jimmy Collins doing at Buffalo on
Saturday"
The story sent out from Buffalo that
night doesn't quite read right. There Is
too much between the lines not to set one
to thinking. While deal for players was
Ostensibly the reason for a conference be-
tween Manager Mack of the Athletics and
Manager Collins of Boston the correspon-
dents there threw cold water on this phase
of the story.
1t might be true that Collins would be
willing to give 10000 for "Rube' Waddeil
Some people have been known to part with
money rather easily. There was time
when Waddell was worth that much to
any club, but with the "Rubes" arm in
the shape that 1t last fall 1t would be
a big risk to part with that much coin Tor
him
But even if a big deal were on, 1t wouldn't
have been necessary for Ban Johnson to
appear on the scene. Something bigger,
therefore than a question of d swap of
players must have been on the carpet
May Buy Boston Club.
The meeting of the two managers and the
president of the American League may or
may not have had to do with change of
ownership in the Boston club or with the
placing of Collins with another team The
latter view is considered unlikely as all the
American League clubs are provided with
manages for 1906.
For some time there have been reports
that the Boston Americans would again
change hands. 1t has been rumored that
John l. Taylor. who purchased the cluD IN
1904 for a price said to have been Sl2oOOO
IN give his base ball holdings
There have been reports of trouble between
Mr.. Taylor and Collins and other players,
and the resignation of Carl Green. the secre-
tary of the club, was given as another straw
showing that the winds of harmony were
not blowing in that organization. Last
week Mr. Taylor denied that there was any
lack of harmony between himself and his
manager and players and he also denied
that he intended TO sell his club.
The conference at Buffalo, though com
ing on top of the rumors, makes the arair
look rather mysterious.
Could II be that a deal is being engineer
ed whereby Mack and Collins would be bid
ders for the Boston club in case 1t were
for sale?
While the two together might not have
enough capital to purchase the club, their
regulations in the world of base ball should
insure this sum being secured without any
great amount of difhculty.
Owns Home in Philadelphia.
Recently Manager Mack said that he had
no intention OF changing his residence and
that he expected to make Philadelphia MS
permanent home. Last winter Connie
moved his family to Philadelphia from
Massachusetts and established a home OPP
posite Columbia Park in a house which
he had previously purchased. This doesn
look as though he contemplated making
a change at this time, although an oppor-
tunity to become a majority holder or
stock in an American League club may
have come his way since he made the re-
mark quoted
AS club owners both Collins and Mack
would be popular in Boston. Connie Nved
for many years near that city and all the
fans there are his warm admirers Collins.
too. is very popular at the Hub for ten
wears he has played on teams In Boston
and twice he managed the teams which
brought the American League pennant to
that city. -.
In any case 1t looks as II the meeting
Of Johnson Collins and Mack at Buffalo on
SATURDAY. had a much bigger Significance
than was placed upon il in the newspaper
DISPATCHES 1t is evident that a big analr
of some kind is developing In American
League circles.
The New Year. therefore, starts IN with a
base ball mystery. Fortunately, Ban john
son is not one to keep the public long IN
suspense after an important matter in his
ACCUMULATION has been settled, SO that def
mite news of what the conference was all
apout should be forthcoming shortly.