The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-07-13
burlington Has Faint Suspicion That
keokuk viii Not Let
Base Ball
Drop.
OTHERS EMBARRASSED
Aawk.Eye Docs Not Like the False
Impression Of Prosperity Which
Has Been
Shown.

Burlington has faint suspicion
that the Keokuk citizens will not per-
NIT the ball club to fall to pieces and
the franchise sold. The Hawk-Eye
this morning comments upon the sit
uation in Keokuk as follows.
The news from Keokuk will be
read with considerable interest by
Burlington fans. A week ago Burling-
ton was virtually hauled before the
directors of the Central association
and called upon to give positive as
surance that 1t would remain in the
league through the season on pain of
having its franchise transferred to
Muscatine after ten days of grace.
And all because Burlington had. been
honest in its attitude concerning tia
financial situation. Burlington has
never contemplated lying down in the
middle Of the season. But it wanted
Burlington fans and business men to
realize the situation, and when the
directors of the Central association
asked the representatives from this
city to state their case they frankly
and honestly admitted that money
was necessary to run the team
through the season, and that unless
they could raise it they would have
to give 1t up. Assurance was given,
however, that on the Judgment of the
representatives Burlington would
stay in the game. Then the request
was made Of Burlington to give this
assurance positively within ten days.
At the same meeting the other d.
rectors of the association made re-
ports of the condition in their sever
al cities. These reports were all rosy.
. Since then Hannibal has confessed,
through its local papers, to being
In the hole financially, with debt
OF over $1,000 hanging over them.
Quincy has been running carnival
to raise funds TO pay salaries, and ev-
cry other city in the league has been
roofing for better. attendance to save
the game from going to the wall. And
now comes keokuk with the flat dec
laration that If the local fans do not
subscribe $1,000 in forty-eight hours
the franchise will be sold to an out
side city.
The Burlington fans are not dis
posed to find fault with the Central
directors for asking Burlington to
show down within ten days. Such &C.
ton was evidently a safety move for
the sake of the league. But what does
look wrong is the pretense of the 9TH
er directors that their local associa-
tons were in good financial shape,
when most of them were apparently
hard UP for cash to keep up the game.
It is not time for descending.
such course only leads to disaster.
It Is best to acknowledge that the
season has been an unfortunate one
Tor the teams on account of bad
weather, and to take measures to
remedy the situation. All the business
men OF city need be assured is that
there Is vital need of assistance, and
they will come forward. With every
one giving little the raising Of ST.
4Vo or 81 800 is small matter. In fif-
teen minutes Monday evening near
Sit0 was raised among all those
present at the Burlington base ball
meeting. This city is apparently in
Detter financial fix than most of the
oFher cities In the, circuit. 1t does not
owe cent to anyone, and has no
borrowed money to be repaid. The
proposition before the fans here is
merely this: With everything square
az the present time. it is figured that
WIN the gate receipts here at fair
estimate 1t will take about $500 |
cash added to carry the team through
.ne season without going into debt
VI this needed cash one-fourth was
raised at Mondays meeting. One |
BUSINESS man sent word to the meet
ing that he would duplicate the high |
est amount given by any single sub
serloer rather than see base ball die |
y burlington. That kind of spirit is
infectious in Burlington, and the re
sui VIII be that the remaining $1,10O
Iscessary to carry the team through
.ae season will be forthcoming when
.le sale of base ball certificates is
begun.
4 me HawK-Eye does not believe for I