The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-28


IT would appear from tho veiIed and
covered insinuationS, behind which not
ono bit of argument or logic or con-
elusive evidence Is found. that some
thing rather mysterious is going to
happen at tho next meeting of tho
virginia League. To those of us pos
sessed with the normal thinking ap-
paratus, II is impossible for anything
miraculous to happen. The one thing
which is worrying the minds of most
OF those who arc directly Interested
Is who will be the president OF the
league.
There cnn be nothing mysterious
about this 1t Will either be tho In
cumbent or some one else. That's all
therc is to IT. Personally the writer
believes that the incumbent will sue
'eed himself. and he will be truly
sorry # he does not. This feeling is
not brought about by anything save
the welfare of the league. The writer
mas no axes TO grind. He is not in
the employ of the Virginia League,
nor In tho employ of any ono connected
with the Virginia League. He has
never received any favors from tho
virginia League nor is lie expectina
any favor of the Virginia League or
any one connected with tic Virginia
League.
The writer OF these lines is en-
ploycd by The Times Dispatch, ana
only by The Times Dispatch. He is
paid to express hia views along sport
ing lines. He is given his weekly
salary 10 serve no particular indi-
ridnal' but to serve tho public. Dur
ing the actual baseball playing sea
son he is paid to report" baseball
games. lie is Instructed to tell of
the game just as IT happens. II it is
a good game he is compelled to say
that IL Is a good game. II II is a
poor game he is compelled to say
that 1t is poor. There is nothing
which makes him the excuser-in- chief
for any of the m.splays Of which the
men engaged in the game may be
guilty.
In other words, The Times Dispatch
is simply a recorder of what actually
happens not an organ wherein APP
pears apologies for those who may
not have given the public its moneys
worth Baseball Is Il form Of amusc-
ment paid for by those who enter the
gates of the baseball park. And as
an amusement is subject to the same
criticism as any other form of amuse-
ment, whether 1t be given in the open
air or In theatre. The public is en-
titled to know all that goes on, or at
least rs much OF what goes on as the
reporter can find out Unless the re-
porter does this he loses his Job
For reporter of n baseball game to
sit through contest ana after IL is
over tc say that 1t is good. or TO pro-
coed TO excuse It IL II IS bad. Is an af-
front to the rest of the crowd pres
ent, each of whom Is nearly as we'll
able to Judge the game as the man EN-
ployed to write 1t. 1t Is always easier
to boost than to knock but 1t is al
ways best to tell the truth. Thus The
Times Dispatch serves the people who
so to see baseball regardless of in
divlduals, regardless of teams, regard
loss of leagues. If the public, in the
face OF true reports. should such re-
ports carry information which might
hurt the Richmond team, or the vir-
Einia League. still wants to patronizc
tho games. then the writer of the re-
ports and the paper for which ne
works. Will at least have the knowl-
edge of having done their duty as they
saw IL
So far rs tho presidency OF the vir-
ginia LcaE-'e is concerned. the writer
Will guarantee to support the man