The Washington times., 1908-06-03
WASHINGTON UNION
CLUB STILL ALIVE
Players Will Divide Money.
League Meets Tonight.
Mr.. Hart Talks.
By THOMAS S. RICE.


By THOMAS S. RICE.
Looks like the Union League is going
- blow. If you want 70 see a real
league bearing the name Of our fair
city go out and watch the washington
Unions play Philadelphia this afternoon
at 4.39.
The policy Of President A W. Law
son, Of the Union League. in insisting
upon holding "a controlling interest in
six OF the eight clubs, as was told Ia
The Times IH reciting the tribuIatious
OF the Baltimore Unions before they
eNaporated, appears to be at the bot
tom OF the sad state Of affairs in the
outlaw organization, which was 10 make
organized baseball rabid enough TO bite
its graudstands. Lawson, il seems, in
sisted that he should be allowed % re-
tain an actual majority OF the stock
in the six clubs, even when local sports
men were willing 10 pay real cash for all
the stock, as they were willing to do
in Washington.
LawsOn's Sad Mistake.
When it came to steering his young
octopus through the baseball wilder
ness, President Lawson found himself
travelling a road that made the Rock
Vile to PoOIesviIIe route look like The
Winchester pike. It rained everywhere
pretty nearly all the time and it was a
case OF all going out with nothing COM
ing in. Instead Of the burden falling
upon ambitious local magnates in every
town, who would have been forced 10
send good money after bad. the great
controller aWOke to the fact IL was UP
10 him as owner To furnish the sineWs
or war Before he could stand rom
uIder and put the league on a different
basis Washington. Baltimore, and Eliza
beth began TO Wobble so plainly that 10
was evident a. crash was either que or
just around the corner and the pros
pcCtlVe angels were on the wing.
From Baltimore It was reported that
the energetic Lawson was taking
thought for the future by having
tTusJy collector with all of his six clubs.
which handy companions were impOunG-
ing the receipts FOR the benefit OF the
league at large, or Lawson. and paying
little heed 70 the individual teams or
their creditors.
Warning to Rockefeller and Herford.
This was all very depressing 10 the
players, who needed coin for tobacco
and such like necessities. They might
have been content with a nickel now
and then. but their devotion TO the great
principle OF outlaw baseball was not
strong enough 10 Withstand an entire
lack or funds. wherefore the onion"
stars OF Baltimore, Wilmington, and. yes
tgTddE. Washington. mOodlly rebelled,
Oustcd the Lawson receivers, took the
coin, and selnshly divided IT for the
good of their Individual causes.
WasluEtons club had behind u en-
thusiastie souls with money ana abiding
faith. They would have been williD,
/ 10 see this club through 10 the blier
and bankrupt end, but lawson had
saved them The trouble and sCads by in
sisting that he be allowed to assume tile
greater part of the stock and TeSpon-
sibilities Wherein Mr.. Lawson was
stung. and a horrible example furnished
John j.. Rockefeller Al. Hcrford, and
other mOlopOlists. Now IL Is doubtful
whether even such guileless and public
spirited advocates of the baseball uplitt
as President Hart and j.. +. Helm could
He persuaded 20 come 10 LaWsOn's res
cue.
President Hart TO Rescue.
Mr.. Hart said this morning that he
knew nothing about the future of the
league, but was pretty sure the Wash
iugtou club was ali in. Mr.. Har- sPread
joy ia the ranks Of the players By an
uounCICg that he would see that none
D
ington IF they had jobs offered them
out OF town. Also. IL was Mr.. Hart
VINO Yesterday consulted with the bent
fingered heroes and advised them 10
grab the cash and divide it, He said
he thought the players were the prin-
cipaI sufferers and they should get a
cut out of the proceeds
| Manager Irwin this morning said there
/ would De "a meeting Of the league to-
night in either Baltimore or Washington
and spoke hopefully of attending, even
I If it does cost s. a round trip 60 Balu-
more.
Play Today and Tomorrow.
| Washington plays the Philadelphia
Unions here again today and tomorrow
and the players will divide the box
| Office. as they did yesteday. 1t Is not
! their fault that the league has faded
! i'm this city and - IS 10 be hoped that
/ the Washington public viii turn out
| and give them the glad hand and other
! things. for they really furnish highly
! interesting baseball.
/ Shaughnessy, the left fielder. and
| McHaLe, the pitchers. left this morning
| 10 join the Athletics Of the American
| League Shaughnessy is quite nat
| uTal hitter and may be success IN
/ major company, because of his batting,
! but is too much ike Frank Huelsrlan as
/ a neIder TO ever set the world ca FIRE.