davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15
BY TOMMY CLARK.

M URING recent fanfest
ia among several big league
ball tossers the question
GhzES came up as 10 which was
the most difficult position TO play on
a team. Opinions differed. but the
majority OF them selected the position
Of hackstop as the hardest on the
team.
Not so many years ago there would
have been but one answer as to which
vas the easiest position on the team
70 play. and this would have been first
base. Leaving out the battery posi-
tons. shortstop would have been pick
ed as the hardest on the team Now
first base is not considered the easiest
position by most OF the players, while
a good percentage OF them do not con-
slider shortStop the hardest Neither
do the players agree as TO the relative
amount of skill required in the diff
ferent positions
Among outfelders the left station is
rated as the most difficult to play-that
is, when the sun field is not taken into
consideration. The reason FOR this is
that left hand batters. when they hit
10 left at all. drive out balls that are
harder to handle than any other va
riety sent TO the outer gardens A left
fielder must have a good pair OF hands
70 negotiate such catches. as the ball
has a tendency 70 break and twist out
Of the glove and must be grasped
firmly.
T. ~
three positions. for n ball hit in that
direction has been met fair and square
by the bat and sails out on a pretty
straight course with no disconcerting
changes in that direction. The middle
fielder has more ground TO cover than
either Of his companions. but his
catches are comparatively easy. OF
course where there are sun fields that
alters the argument altogether.
First base IS generally considered
second to center field as an easy posi-
ton. but there is a growing sentiment
among the players that a higher rating
should be placed on the position when
the right kind Of man Is covering the
bag. Such men as Chase Of the New
York Americans. Chance of the Chi
caSo Nationals. Davis Of the Phlladel-
phia Americans. HoblitzeH Of the Gin
cinnati Nationals. Tenney OF the New
York Nationals and Konetchy OF the
st, Louis Nationals are virtually IN
fielders in the ordinary acceptance Of
the word, outside Of their duties Of
taking thrown balls. They not only
cover lot Of ground around the has.
but are required TO use lot OF iudc-
ment in handling hunts. For the first
baseman who gets all there IS out OF
the position 1t is anything but an easv
one on the other hand. a good per
centage OF the first basemen in major
league company manage to hold their
positions through their ability to han
die Lad throws. To play this way first
base is easily the second easiest posi-
ton on the diamond.
When it comes to the most difficult
position the players are divided be-
tween third base and shortstop.
good percentage Of them consider
third base a harder position to plav
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15
LADIES DAY At THE PLAYERS WHEN PTf DMPTY FOX PLAYED AET

Lester Wallack had secured the right
to bring it out in New York. Billy
Florence had seen the play I'm London
and rewrote It from memory. He
claimed no rights. He produced Il
from his notes in 1867. Wauack sued
out an injunction. After a hearing OF
the case the judge refused the injunc-
ton. Florence went on with the play,
and it was a brilliant audience that
greeted him. II is also recalled in con-
nection with that production that Mrs
Frank Chanfrau was in the company
WallaCk presented the piece I'm 1859. In
1874 IL was played at the old Union
Square for a benefit to Jennie Lee. J.
H. Stoddart was in the cast. The last
notable revival in New York was at
the Knickerbocker theater, when John
Hare and his London company present.
ed IT, When Caste" was brought out
at Wallack's a second time. IN 1887
one Of the members OF the company
was F. W Robertson, son Of the author
OF the play.
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15
POLICING the Bio Fiobt

On the coast it is becoming the Gus
tom to insure the referee. The man
who is 10 rule in favor Of Johnson in
his battle with Jeffries. should il be
necessary. Will probably be classed as
an extra hazardous risk"
Which reminds one TO inquire II
there is any possibility OF turmoil
arising when the championship is
fought July (. 40 announcement has
yet been made, but 81 Is likely that the
pavilion will have % be heavily DO
Iced. Forty or fifty thousand persons
Of all descriptions viii be assembled.
and the least dissatisfaction with the
ruling Of the official may furnish
spark fOr trouble.
II is not the least % the problems
the promoters Of this fight face-the
controlling OF the passions OF battle
crazed enthusiasts
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15
Should Manager. Li.tsn to Eans7

The statement made by Fred Clarke
recently that he let Bill Abstein go 10
s.. Louis because he realized that the
latter had ended his usefulness 10 the
Pittsburg team owing 10 the fact that
the home fans were against him
brings up one OF the most interesting
problems Of baseball
His case is identical with that Of
Fred Merkle OF the New York Giants.
and the two offer almost a parallel
Nerkle made his famous break two
years ago when he failed TO touch
base. and as a result the New York
Giants lost the National league pen
nant % Chicago. the Cubs afterward
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15
BY FRANK n. BROOKS.

nee year the home where
Edwin Booth lived and died
now the Players clubhouse.
~ just a step from the city
home Of Samuel J. Tilden. facing
Gramercy square. New York CITY is
thrown open TO ladies who are fortu
nate enough to be on the Players list
And il is easier for a socially ambitious
woman to get on the waiting list OF the
Four Hundred-if there is such a list
than II is for her to get en- invitation
for ladies' day at the Players. Anv
woman who attends the annual recep-
ton puts 1t down as an achievement
The reception just held at the historic
house was attended by many OF a Sc
lect set. As is always the case as
many prominent actors as We're in the
city were there. Any one who is not
up in the art of hospitality and who
has a longing for that accomplish
ment ought 10 arrange to attend a la
dies day at the Players. There, IL
anywhere. is seen the delightful art
which many believe has passed away.
The reception committee that meets the
invited guests at the entrance Of the
house is composed Of actors who are at
the very zenith Of the profession. When
the committee ushers the guests into
the great room at the head Of the stair
way the guests are-1aken by another
committee and conducted TO the ample
dining room. where a collation. is serv-
ed that Is the acme of perfection. Then
follows the ramble through the CORR
doris and rooms where the man Of all
his time" and profession passed the
days Of his retirement All that he
loved, at least all that was inanimate.
is there just as he left II. Another
committee conducts the guests through
and over this collection, concisely ex-
planning each article At the top Of
the house is the room where the great
tragedian breathed his last Here are
the places where he rested. the desk
just as Il was the last day he sat there
and wrote. the last chair in which he
sat when he looked out on the city and
the quaint bedstead in which he lay in
the last hours Of the closing scene. On
the walls Of this room is the picture of
his wife as well as the pictures of 9TH
ers who so often were his guests. The
reception on ladies' day lasts until the
shadows begin to creep in at the win
dows. Then the lights are turned on,
and the guests depart as music floods
the old house.
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15
What Is the Hardest Position to PLAY on Ball Team?

play OF by placing the ball where he
cannot handle IT, Throws by the third
baseman must be fast and hard and
he must be quick on his feet in order
10 get the ball.
Taking the entire team into consid-
Grafton, the players are pretty well
agreed that the hardest place 70 play
and get out Of the position all that is
in IL is behind the bat Good head
work is necessary in order TO do this.
and along with it good feet. strong
arm and a good eye are required. The
catcher can make OF Unmake the av-
erage pitcher, and his services are
practically invaluable II he plays the
position az il should be played
While thru base. along with short
and the catcher's position, is consid
cred rather difficult. according to some
Of the stars. Hobe Ferris the former
crack third baseman OF the St. Louis
Americans. does not agree with them
In talking recently about the job OF
holding down the third station Per
ris said: Honestly speaking. from
workingman's standpoint and con-
sidering the amount OF labor in
volved. would rather play third sack
than coach. When l went into the
business Of playing professional base
ball eight years ago I naturally tried
10 pick out the sof;est Job and finally
decided third base was about the
easiest place in sight The hardest
place? Why. nowhere but second
base. There's a position that tries a
mans soul-yes. his patience and his
nerve as well 4 second sacker has a
third baseman has one. Third base?
Why. even II 7 were a Bill Bradley or
Devlin I would be almost ashamed
10 take my salary for playing that po-
sition."
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15
Unp's Life No Happy One.

The umpire's task is a thankless one
at best Billy Evans calls attention
20 the fact that the mesnest OF base
ball players can now and then earn
applause from the stands, but none
ever heard a crowd give an umpire
the glad hand for good work.
Surely il is in the worst Of taste TO
teer an official who is doing an un-
pleasant duty. to laugh when he is hit
by a pitched ball or 20 abuse him be
cause the game is not going right
Fortunately umpires are well paid 20
endure as well as 20 judge or there
would be few 10 take the thankless
DOgtg
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15

newspaper man. and Duff took him in
and made him his business manager.
Il wasn't long before he became the
big figure in the theatrical business in
New York. with two theaters. the
Grand Opera House and the old Nadi-
son Square. which he named Days
theater. I knew Booth and Barrett. E
I. Davenport and John Mccullough.
Barrett was very friendly with US
around the stage. but Booth seemed 10
be always laborinG under a spirit of
depression. think Edwin Forrest was
the greatest actor have ever known
and one Of the finest men too. Every
body had a good word for him. and he
had a good word for everybody The
people in his company idollzed him.
and he had more friends among the
alter goers than all the other actors OF
his time put together. And maybe YOU
think George Fox wasn't a good actor,
I remember once al the old Olympic
theater he gave a travesty on Ham
let and a brilliant audience witnessed
his performance. In one box sat E. L
Davenport. in another box John Nc
Cullough; Edwin Booth occupied a third
and Lawrence Barrett a fourth. After
the performance I was standing along
side OF Mr.. Dun, our manager. and
they came back TO congratulate Fox on
his performance. All declared that II
was one OF the best things they had
ever seen. The gravesigging scene was
very effective for a bUrlesque. The
two gravediggers were played by the
famous team called the Queen sisters.
who, while digging the grave, sang
Five O'clock In the Morning, and that
song was picked up by everybody in
New York and was as big q hit in ifs
day as After the Ball or any other big
song success since that time"
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15
Gig Lamrs on the ste.rs.

Percy Heath is the most volumlnous
story teller connected with the publicity
department Of the theatrical business.
Witness a sample reeled off by him
while watching the interests OF his
boss" Frederic Thompson:
Frank Bacon, who takes the charac-
ter of the old druggist in The For
tune Hunter" is when at home on his
ranch OF many acres between San
Francisco and San Jose a cattle breed
er and fruit grower. In one tract OF
his land a herd Of high jumping cattle
roam. Not satisfied with the ground
allotted them by Bacon. the cattle-to
be exact, three Of the herd-used to
leap the fence at viii and wander pro-
miscuously on the acres Of Bacon's
neighbors. Lawsuits for damages be-
came numerous. Bacon got 10 think
ms. He had heard Of Paris firm that
made goggles for animals. A measure
ment Of the three fence Jumpers was
forwarded, and in due time the gig
lamps" arrived. II was a great day on
the Bacon ranch when the lamps were
adjusted on them steers" Then the
jumpers were turned loose. They head
ed for the neighboring fence. OF course
the specs" made the fence seem very
near. When within seventy-fve feet
OF the wire the steers raised them
selves in the air When they came
down they saw that they were not
over by many feet. For a moment they
looked as If they realized that the joke
was on them. Then they turned tail
and went full tilt, believing like mad,
in the direction whence they had start
ed They never attempted to climb the
fence afterward. But they are still
wearing the gig lamps" The win
dows" come high, but they are not as
extensive as lawsuits
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15

rection Of MessrS. Liebler & Co II is
based on the story of Lady Godiva."
Miss Marie Tempest. who is playing
the part of Polly in Frohmans revival
Of RObertson's Caste" written and
first acted way back in the sixties and
now running at the Empire theater.
New York. played the same part on
three occasions in London. She SAYS
she Is particularly fond OF the char
acteT.
Miss Elsie Ferguson plays the role OF
Esther according to the method as she
ConCclveS IT today.
MESs Maud Milton plays the mar
quise. She wishes she might be per-
mitted TO cut some Of the speeches she
has to speak and confesses that they
are tir ssome.
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15

teresting character is Wood. He sery-
ed in the navy in the old frigate indie
pendence and was for four years in
the army during the civil war as a
member of the One Hundred and Thir-
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15

auical business in the United States:
John A DAILY was the name We first
knew him by He first came around
the theater after he had married Mr..
Dun's daughter Daily was then
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15

ty-ninth New York volunteers. In 1858
he was stage door keeper Of the old
Olympic theater in New York. The
house was formerly known as Laura
keene's Varieties John \. Dun took
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15

the lease and started out with George
L. Fox in "Humpty Dumpty" as his
first attraction. Pop" Wood tells the
following story Of how the late Angus
tin DAILY became identified with the the
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15

make throws and that a mechanically
perfect shortstOp has no trouble in
taking care Of his position.
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15
"Pop" Wood, Who Saw "Hu'npty
Dunapty" Fox PLAY Hamlet

Dumpty" Fox Play Hamlet
Over at the Hudson theater, New
York, Henry B. Harris pet enterprise,
is a stage door man whose name is I.
c. Wood. He started in the theatrical
business with George L. Fox in
'Humpty Dumpty." Although seventy
two years Of age. his mind is clear
and his Rental faculties are acute. In
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15

Lawsuit IN the First PrOduc-
ton Here of RobertSOn's
Caste" Gig Lamps on the
Steers Of d Western Actor.
Breezy Bits of Gossip About
Well Known People of the
Stage.
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15

falo, n. Y. and out in Detroit,
Mich. know better than playgoers Of
New York who Jessie Bonstele ia.
She has a circuit that takes in the
first three cities named and manages
the people who play in that circuit
She engages her own company. con-
tracts for the theaters where they an
pear and arranges with play,vrights
and managers for such productions as
she wants. She also personally directs
the business that includes the manu-
facture of properties and the building
Of scenery. She goes on the road in
the summer time and superintends her
business. At a moments notice she
can lay aside her managerial duties
and take part in any play that is
under her direction, for she is q clever
actress. Any playgoer who saw her in
The Faith Healer" played by Henry
Miller and his company. viii remem-
Der that Jessie BOnstelle shared hon
ors with the star Miss Bonstelle will
next season bring out under her own
management Caroline Duer's new plav.
Birds Of Passage" Miss Duer is a
cousin Of Mrs. Clarence H. Mackay and
a member Of a very old and wealthy
New York family.
Miss Chrystal Herne received her
first stage instructions from her IA
Their, James A. Herne, the actor and
playwright than whom there was
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15

than short. They contend that what
counts most at shortstop is the nat
ural ability to cover short ground and
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15

In playing third
and good Without bunting
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15

none greater in his line in his day.
Miss Herne viii be starred early in the
fall season in a new play under the
direction of Messrs. Liebler & CO.
Miss Bessie Abbott will be seen the
coming season in the new light grand
opera "Ysobel." by Pietro Mascagni
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15

The opera will be the first foreign
written grand opera TO be brought out
in the United States prior to its pro-
duction in Europe. 1t will be sung en-
tirely in Italian and will be conducted
here by Signor Mascagni personally.
The production will be under the d.
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15
Caste In Other DAVIS.

The revival Of Caste" at the Empire
esHaatGE - Nav York. rScslls lawsuit.
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15

vs. = = = s Il : :s F.: & + :s$sss Is 8: $ =
The Washington herald., 1910-05-15

~ URING recent fanfest
among several big league
E ball tossers the question
GhzE>S came up as 10 which was
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-12-08
HIGH PRICES.

Forest products to the value of $685.
054.6o2 were exported In the fiscal year
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-12-08

worth only GO per cont of tho value Of
this years corn crop.
The growing Importance south
in corn production is ba%u.! CEN
spicuous III 1889 it produced hardly
more than onc-fifth of the national
crop; now 1t produces one-third.
The cotton crop of this year may be
worth in lint and seed Il round $780,
100000 ut the farm. This value Ia 13
per cent above the tivcyear average.
The value OF the hay crop Is about
$720,000,000. an amount which mas
been exceeded but once. and that i'll
1907; it Is 13 per cent above the aver
age of the preceding five years.
WINTER AND SPRING WHEAT.
Fortunately the wheat crop Is divid-
cd into two sowings, autumn and
spring, so that the two crops are sub
ject to different climatic accidents. as
was the case this year. The production
of spring and winter wheat Is 691,767.-
900 bushels, or substantially the aver
age of the preceding five years, where
as the value Is about $625,000.O00 or
7.6 per cent above the iive-year aver
age.
Easily the fifth crop in point of
value is oats, the value of which this
Year Is $3SO,0O0, 900. or l. per cent
above the average of the five preceding.
years. In quantity the coats crop this
year Is magnificent. For the second
time in the history of this country the
crop exceeds 1000, 100000 bushels. the
precise estimate standing mt 1885,
100000 bushels, or22 per cent greater
than the average of the five prcccd-
ing years.
Next in order of value is the potato
crop. which has been exceeded only in
two or three former years. With the
exception of the crop of 1902 which
was in a degree an overproduction, the
crop of this year Is the largest ever
grown In this country: the prelimin-
airy estimate of tho department is
32S.497.O00 bushels or s., per cent
above thelaverage of the preceding five
years. fe
BEET SUGAR PRODUCTION.
Beet s,igar production in 1910 will
about equal that of 1909, say $4,000
short tons. Its factory value Is reckon
sd at SCI 100000, and the factory
value, of cane sugar at about s2S,000.--
900, en- amount which has been ex-
cecded in four years.
lIIf prospects are realized. the entire
sugnr6crop OF factory production, beet
and cane combined. will be s59,n0O short
tons, or a production that has been ex
ccedcd in only one year, 1909. In fac
tory value the two sugar crops will
equal about s79.0CooOo; and If to this
be added the value of molasses syrup.
products. the combined value is about
$97.0O0.o0o.
The tobacco crop has slightly exceed
ed the production of the record year.
1909, and It's 967,150,000 pounds are 90
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-12-08
FARM PRODUCTS .
WORTH. BILLIONS [. n:
secy. Wilson'S Report Shows.
That World Has Never Seen
Tnything Like i.
AS TO HIGH COST OF. LIVING
Analyses Causes and Makes 1t Plain
That Farmer Is not to
Blame.

washington, Dec Tho report of
james Wilson, secretary Of asricul-
ture, is distinctly q harbinber. of good
times. Among other things 1t discusses
the high cost of living. beet sugar
production, livestock ranges water
power, etc. The more important parts
OF the report follow
Nothing short of omniscience can
grasp the value of the farm products
of this year, is the statcmentsof the
secretary of agriculture in his annual
report for 1910, published today. Atro
time in the worlds history has a coun-
try produced rarm products within one
year with n vluc reaching %SS.o26,0oo,-
600, which Is the value OF the agricul-
mral products of this country for 1910.
The value of farm products from
1890 to the present year has been
progressive without Interruption. IL
the value of the products of 1899 is
placed mt 100. the value for this year
is lSa, or almost double tlfe value for
the census .ycart11 years ago.
During this period Of uneNampled
agricultural production, II period of :
years, during which the farmers of this
prosperity and wealth and in economic
independence. in intelligence and a
knowledge Of agriculture. the total
value of farm products Is $3.50 90 O00.-
000."
RECORD CORN CROP.
Tho corn crop Of 3.121,3Sl 900
bushels cxceeds.th that OF the record year
1906, and is greater than the aver
age crop of the preceding five Years
by IA per cent. While the value 5of
this corn crop is below that ofNla09
and also of 1908. its amount belongs
to stories of magic. 1t. can hardly be
reckoned as less than oO,000.n0O,
sum sufficient to cancel. the Interest,"
herring debt Of thedllnited States.
buy all the gold and silver mined in
Ill the countries or the earth In e190S
and still leave to the farmers a little
pocket money.
All of the cereals except corn arc
together worth only three-fourths as
much as that crop, The great allied
iron and steel Industries had. in tho
last census year 70: which results have
been published. 1904, a production