The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-14
POLOGROUNDS FIRE
Home of New York Giants Is
Burned.
Loss Will Amount to Quarter of
Million.
NE BLEACHER SAVED
But Double Deck Grandstand
Went Up in Smoke.
American League Tenders Use
of Its Grounds.

New York, April 1.-THE great
double deck grandstand and the right
field bleachers at, the National league
baseball park (Polo grounds) were de-
stroyed by fire early this morning,
causing loss estimated at $3.50, 600. The
club house and the center and left field
bleachers were saved and the fire,
which started at 1890 a. m, was under
control two hours. later.
Manager McGraw, of the New York
team, said that with the permission Of
the building department, today's game
with the Philadelphia Nationals would
be held as scheduled. If this course is
not pursued. the American league park
will be used.
McGraw believes the blaze originated
In the thick layer of peanut shells in
the bleacherS.
Use American League Grounds
'The damage to the Polo grounds, in
my opinion, will easily amount to $780,
600. 1 believe that if we can get in
touch with the officials of the fire de-
partment and the building department
We can clear away the debris and place
chairs about SO that the game scheduled
for today can be held on these
grounds said John j. McGraw
The Giants manager was out early
today, looking over the scene of the
fire which destroyed the grandstand at
the home of the New York National
league club on the eve of the third
baseball game of the season.
Manager McGraw added that if it
were found that the game today could
not be held at the Polo grounds it would
be played at American League park on
Washington Heights.
Starting at half hour after midnight
this morning the flames within Is min
utes were greedily devouring the big
grandstand and hope of saving it was
given up. Only the work of the fire.
men in separating into two parts the
vast oveal of : seats by means
OF water curtains, one on the
north and one ON the south, saved
the club house of the Giants on Eighth
avenue and the b1eachers at the east
erly end of the grounds.
Street Cars Burned.
The fire, after~e eating its way from
the south end of the. srandstand to the
north, set fire TO the repair shops on the
elevated terminus of the Interborough
Railway company which ADULTS against
the fence surrounding the grandStand
Although employees of the railway
company fought the blaze with appar-
atus stored in their rooms, seven trail
er cars valued at $1,000 each were de-
stroyed as well as four electric motors
stored in the repair shops valued al
$25. 900.
Frank Farrell, president of the New
York American League club today Of
feFed the New York National League
club the use of his grounds
Use American League Grounds.
Philadelphia. April 14-Thomas G.
Davis, secretary of the New York
American League club which is play
ing here, left this morning for New
York to arrange for the opening of the
American League grounds there for the
use of the New York National League
club in case it desires to use the field
Frank Farrell, president of the
Americans who spent last night at At
lantic City called Mr.. Davis in tele-
phone this morning and told him he
had offered the grounds to the home
less Giants and asked him to go t.
New York at once to help out the Ma.
tionals. Mr.. Davis did not know wheth.
er the offer would be accepted.