The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-22

Charles Webb Murphy, owner Of the champion Chicago team, is one presi- dent who gives the newspapers their share of credit for the prosperity of baseball.
 Moreover. MT Murphy is alert to see that the baseball reporters get the news of his club. This applies to the news papers of Chicago; but on points of pol icy of general interest the Murphy bat tery of tvpewriters begin to hum, and the mails of that day carry informa- tion to all of the leading baseball writ CTS in the seven other cities of the National lea gue circuit.
 Mr. Murphy is the only figure in base ball with a publicity bureau, and it has paid rich dividends of good will. There are two reasons for MT. Murphy's en- ergy in this direction:
 First. he believes that without help from the newspapers one ticket seller would he able to accommodate patrons at the park; secondly, three years ago the owner of the Chicago team was drawing a salary as assistant city edi- tor of the Cincinnati Times-Star
 Previous to holding this position he was for many years a sporting editor, and this experience has fitted him to deal understanding with baseball writers.
 Murphy Has a System.
 The National league champions are playing a series at present in this city, and MT. Murphy is with them. He dis cussed the subject with the writer at the Aldine.
 Tt is the habit of most baseball heads to give out news in a perfume tory sort of way" said MT. Murphy. If the club president has just closed a deal for a new player, he will give the story to Bill Jones' if Bill Jones happens to see him and ask if any deals are on.
 If Bill Jones has been unable to see the owner then the other papers would have q beat. My policy is to see that all the writers get the news of the club whether the reporter happens to call at the office or not. l have a system, others lack one.
 "Of course. we do not give away any club secrets or point out that when Manager Chance places his arms akim- bo it is signal to bunt, but there is all ways interesting news in a ball team that makes good reading for the pub lie, and l always see that the boys get it.'
 MT. Murphy is the original baseball soldier of fortune. When he became interested in the game, less than three years ago, the fact was virtually un- noticed. Before the baseball world Knew what he was doing MT. Murphy had a controlling interest in one of the most valuable baseball properties in the country.
 Three years ago John T. Brush lured MT Murphy from the newspaper field in Cincinnati to become assistant sec retary of the New York baseball club. On the first visit of the Giants to Chi cago President James Hart informel MT MArphY that he wanted to get out of baseball to live the simple life.
 "Why don't you buy me out?' said MT. Hart. punching the rotund Murphy in the chest. The query was made in spirit of fun. Mr. Murphy bowed himself out and had a deep -thinkiraF bout with himself for a period of about fifteen minutes.
 Murphy had private fortune of no inconsiderable figure. but it was not large enough to close such a big deal. Once determined, he took a train to Cincinnati to consult with Charles r. Taft the millionaire brother of Secretary of War Taft.
 Buy the Chicago Team.
 Mr. Taft, who is a stad capitalist laughed at first at the thought of put ting any of his money in baseball. but 'ventuallY decided that he would take little flyer in a sporting game. The suit was that the deal was closed, Messrs. Taft and Murphy became
 arS of the Chiea go club
 second season resulted in the
 inning the National league
 hip. This was in 1906, and
 were large that Mr. Mur-
 Q 10 buy enough stock
 give him the controll-
 lab MT. Taft did
 he the ab-