Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-27

pubic in a single season to see the
game played IL pretty good evidence that
the game has become a fixture in the bus
mess world. other evidences. II others are
required. may be found in the millions that
are being expended by club owners on
grounds and equipment. The Philadelphia
Americans have about completed a park
costing half a million and the Chicago
National management Is about TO enter
upon just such an enterprise. This buying
OF ground in the largest cities of the ooun-
try and erection OF costly ampitheaters-
what does It all mean7 Oh, not a waste OF
money, not that. Nor yet does IL mean a
careless display OF extravaganza unwar-
ranted by the character OF the business. 1t
means simply this: That the American
people, content with nothing short Of the
best, have built up to a robust maturity
the greatest game in the annals OF athletic
enterprise and have come to the place
where they require the most commodious
accommodations for it's enjoyment that
modern skill and science and large wealth
are able to provide. 1t is a grand testi-
monial to the manly character of a sturdy
race. Greece had It's Olympdcs, but they
we're celebrated only quadrennially and
therefore never rose higher in the national
life than a pagan festival. The Roman
gladiators oombatted for mere blood In the
ancient arena and their influence on the
nation was inevitably debasins. The effort
70 revive the era Of Olympics must first
conquer the bane OF international envy be-
fore it is given a place of proved success.
England has it's cricket for a pleasant pas
time and calls it a national game. Spain
apologies for its bull fights, but
Americans have set an example to the
world OF this or any past period. They
have immortalized a sport. and, what is
more, have made IL a business as well
without jeopardizing its original function
as a national pasttme. Commerclalized base
ball is successful because honorable and
successful business men have thrown
around 1t sufficient safeguards to defeat
sinister influences. The truest measure
which could be applied TO the Americans
love Of his national game is applied every
year in submitting it TO him for his sup
port and he answers the test by giving it
better and larger support each season.
-
Duoky Holmes is quoted by a Sioux City
paper as saying in reply to certain criti-
cisms made by President Higgins of Des
Moines: II never win pennants in the win
ter time" OF course that's a trite saying
and not original with Holmes, but that
isn't the point. Mr.. Higgins says he is
collecting a club that will make Ducky's
Sioux City team look like 80 cents. That's
all right. bit It would be highly gratifying
to the Western league patrons IL Higgins
really would produce such a team when
the season opened next spring, even II he
had 70 eliminate his mld-winter forecasts.
Holmes has his faults and they are some
times annoying ones. but 1t has been
observed. and. that. too, with some
pain In certain localities. that Ducky often
AaUntAE hfrnaalf an ArItro~tA- -
while some of his competitors arc con.
Stunning time talking. 1t WIN help things
generally II Mr.. Higgins does put in a team
that VIII make Sioux City Look like 80
cents, but II he should succeed only in
making It look like 80 cents no general
disappointment should be felt.
1t may be considered a closed incident,
but nevertheless It is not too late to say
that The reply Of President Murphy to the
National commissions arraignment of him
on the ticket scalplng charge has several
points in 1t that make the situation look
much better for Mr.. Murphy and the Cubs
In addition to making a rather strong case
for his side, Murphy casts a reflection
upon the commissions sense of fairness and
justice by announcing that the commission
broke its promise in making its finding
without consulting the Chicago club. Some
how 1t is unfortunate that the commission
has not been able to make a clearer case
against Chicago without giving the intlma.
uon OF possible feeling In the matter. This
10 almost as unfortunate for the commits,
sion as II Is to Chicago that the alleged
scandal ever transpired.
-
II thought johnson would win unless ,nev
tied his hands and feet" THAT was lin
Jeffries' expression when he heard the new,
Of the Johnson Burns fight. 1t reflects an
estimate OF Burns abilities, which no doubt
erystallizes public opinion. There will be-
many to say that Burns held the title thu,
~ long only because he kept out of the way
of top-notehers. Johnson showed his superb
GRITTY at the very outset and had his mar
practically whipped in the first round
The negroes chase Of Burns aimost aroun,
the globe would seem 10 suggest that h,
was entitled to something. since Burns ha,
iured hin on by evincing a willingness I,
meet him.
The purse was 5000. OF which Burn,
received $4,000 and johnson 5000. II tina
boy Tom. could fight as he can figure
mercy!
Sioux City can't scare people very mucl
by announcing that 1t has secured Lev
Drill snd>sabe Towne for eatchefs.
-
Bill sduires, thrice licked by Burns
challenged the winner. Can you beat n,
Poor Bill.
Bet you Tommy could choke a COW easls
than johnson.
Well, Br'er johnson is a American. any
way.
&s77W