The Washington times., 1910-01-12
OWNING BALL GROUND
GIVES GRIP ON CLUB
Syndicate Methods Not Barred by Lack of Stock
Some Points for Mr.. Taft-John Heyder
Spins Two Yarns.
By THOMAS S. RICE.

It IS, indeed, a great comfort 20 learn
from Horace Fogel and Brother Charles
p. Taft that there Is no syndicate base
ball ia the National League, and that
Mr.. Tafts only relation with the Phila-
deIphia club IS 70 own the grounds MT
Taft wishes TO have this clear because
he also owns stock in the Chicago Ma
tfo-laI League club Far be It from us
10 intimate that Brother Charles ca
not see a point. for he has displayed
much acamen on many occasions, but If
he thinks mere ownership Of the
grounds, without stock in the Phillies,
is necessarily a bar to syndicate meth
DDS. then his speCtacles need wiping
and readJUstmenL
In the first place. the Philadelphia
club has not made money for several
years, according to good authority.
Such being the case, who would be the
most likely person TO hear a pIaintive
plea about hard times, coupled with a
request that he ease up and not force a
delivery Of the coin until better days2
Why, the landlord, Of course. Did that
/ ever strike you? Maybe you have been
up against II yourself and handed out
that sad stall.
Landlords Opportunities.
Now. II large owner in the Chicago
( club does the Philadelphia club the
courtesy Of allowing it TO continue I'm
/ existence by not selling it out bag ard
I baggage for the rent, would the Phila-
/ delphia club Ike tc. or be in a position
+ TO. turn down a request from the Chi
/ cRgo management Sor some small edge
I IN a deal for players OF IN some other
/ baseball transactiOn2 Certainly not!
( The idea1 Gratitude is one OF the sweet
! est and most admirable OF human at
I tributes and there IS no IoW-brow so
/ coarse who would not display gratitude
( IN front OF a gun
But the PhiIHes do not have 20 lose
) money in order 70 be put in this posi-
/ ton The team is weak and VIII -
gutre large expenditures If IL IS to be
| made strong Suppose II clears a lev
/ thousands in 1910. all that and probably
more viii be needed next year. ard
the Stockholders in the club have so fal
Z shown no mania for pOnying up extra
! assessments. What would be the nat
/ ural policy or the club OEners2 &c
} Brother Charles TO hold back IN de-
{ handing his rent so that tine team
I might be StrenET hened-f0r the good OF
( the league, Further. Il would not take
) the Philadelphia directors more time
8 than Is consumed In three shakes OF q
{ SEEep $ tai TO demonstrate to the land.
B lord that, while ne might be shy or
/ rentals, the bracing Of the Phillies i1
! such a good ball town would mean thai
I his stock In the Chicago club would b
I enhanced by the Increased attendance IL
/ the Quaker CITY
Idea Easy to Grasp.
{ Brother Charles would probably
{ grasp this idea for he has shown I'd
/ evidence OF needing q guardian. ant
/ would BE willing to defer collecting his
/ rent. especially as the security IS more
1 than ample and there is no danger o1
anybody pushing the ball park away
{ even II ne IS not looking
/ The contrary argument might be tina
liz some sp0rtless Philisttne held tlt
/ grounds and the club defaulted on tn
4 rent he would proceed TO collect IN
/ stanter, and thereby cause great con
/ fusion and possible disaster iu 1h'
/ league. This viii hardly hold water