Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-24
ONLY PRAISE HEARD
OF THE NATIONALS


Special Correspondence OF The Star.
GALVESTON. Tex. March 81. 1901.
Now that the Nationals are In the stretch
OF their spring practice work here and are
nearly ready to start north on the long
hOme-bound trip. Galveston wants to say
few words in communication of the boys
of their work and their behavior. OF course
1t is naturally expected that some bouquet
throwing follows the departure of a major
league team from Its spring training camp
but in this case there is no exaggeration.
Every word Is sincere and every Galveston
Ian who has come into contact with Can
tillon and his players wish them the best
Of luck in the bruising campaign that
starts April IL. 1t is almost two weeks since
they reached Galveston. and during that
time they have worked as hard and as con-
scientiously as If they were owners and not
hired hands. Cantilon has been nara
taskmaster, but as he always set the work
ing pace himself there was never any ex-
cuse for his players to grumble, ana theS
didn't. Discipline and good behavior show
ed that there was master hand IN con-
troll They worked early and late ana
worked hard 1neir behavior off the neid'
too. has been model Carousing ana an
night gambling bouts-two things that are
a curse to so many major league teams
were Conspicuously and pleasingly absent.
They were gentlemen in looks and manners.
Rev. DR.. Palmer, secretary OF the L. NJ.
C A where they used the gymnasium ana
baths, says: Il am more than pleased with
the sturdy young men OF the washington
base ball club and am grathed 10 learn
that they are to return to US next year. L
have not been very much impressed by the
behavior of some professional ball players
whom we have entertained. but our latch
string will always hang out for Mr.. can
tillon and his young men,"
Chief Clerk John Young BedeH or the
IT.. fol. mo
things you care to say about the Nationals
/ never had peasanter guests to serve.
They gave little trouble and were quite an
attraction for the house. We only nope
we've satisfied them much as they nave
pleased us.
What One of the Team Says.
"Our people at home will find the Ma
tionals of 1907 a far different proposition
from any they have had In long years
past" says one of the older players whose
name for obvious reasons, he doesn't care
to have used. land l think we'll stir up the
On; husiasm as 1t never has been before.
We may not win the pennant-We are not
any too SINE that well finish in the nrst
diyiSion-but therell be hammer-and-tonSs
base ball by the Nationals from the TIME
the gong Is sounded on opening DAY. ihd'
old pitching staff has taken on ne" lease
of life and we'll show up couple OF fast
ones among the youngsters. rms reno"
Rlankpnship IL better in every way than
Wakefield. and then there are Warner ana
HeYdOn 10 consider, too. Perrlne mas maue
good and Ganley fits into right ike new
glove. We know what the old intielders
and outfielders do. That's a nice pair
of utility men CAltizer and Mid we nave
to draw to- also Charley Hickman is put
ting I'D a pretty nifty article of ball at nrst,
be: ides hitting well. and the absence OF
Jake Stahl is not worrying US greatly nat
makes the greatest impression on me III
;z OF
Tdify 1t begins to look and act like real
ma yor league team. Cantillon has brought
about system and readiness that was >oe
CidrdIy lacking before, and there Is snap
and Intelligence in the work. There Is
sens. o. lam Cny and goodfellowship. and
but one faction will develop--the Cantillon
faction. Of which every player III the team
will he "A member. We are all feeling most
hopeful of the 1907 outlook. and figure out
nue. trouble ahead-for the other teams
Great Improvement Shown.
George bennett. commercial traveller for
a big Philadelphia drug firm, who makes
this part of the country once a year, saw
the game at Houston last Sunday. Can
tillon's crowd simply played rings around
the McCloskeyites," was his opinion. 1t
looked like major champions playing minor
league dubs They had class. style and
everything that goes to make a real ball
club | saw the Nationals in half a dozen
cames last summer, but this crowd looks
vastly different
The splendid weather still keeps up and
the sun continues to come out strong and
hot every day. The Nationals have had
but one poor day since coming here. and
even then they could have worked out In
the afternoon had they so desired.
IF my bread-winner still holds out and
I hook up with the Nationals for another
year" said Pitcher KitSon today, Il am
going TO start south with my family about
February 1 and make the trip down here
by sea Then I'll hire camping outht and
take my wife and kids down West bay
and put in about six weeks hunting and
fishing. I may start even earlier than that
II the spirit moves me and I'm feeling the
way do now.
Park Engaged for Two Years.
CantiIlon has secured exclusive use Of
Athletic Park here for spring work in
1889
The full roster of the Washington party
now here-Jake Stahl Is the only one miss
ing-is as follows: Smith, Kitson. Patten.
Falkenberg. Hughes. Goodwin, Graham
and Wilson, pitchers; Blankenshp. Warner
Mil and Heydon, catchers; Hickman,
Schlafy. Cross and Perrine, infielders; An
derson Altzer, Jones and Ganley, Outfeld-
ers: Manager Cantillon, Secretary Fowler
and Trainer Eddinger.
II there is any kind of good weather on
the trip homeward the Nationals ought to
come out about even. The attendance here
has been satisfactory enough. and the
games at Houston will yield ample re-
turns. The north Texas towns all
first rate Then there are Wichita. Kansas
City. Indianapolis. Springfield and Cincin-
matt To be heard from.
The boys are starting in loosening their
pocketboOks for postage stamps and ex-