The Washington herald., 1912-05-20
LOCAL 0. S. LEAGUE
PLAYERS READY
TO QUIT The TEAM
The Ghost Fails to Walk and
Salaries Are Long
Overdue.
FINAL SETTLEMENT TODAY
By G. w. SWAN.


Good night, outlaws.
The first distress signals hoisted by
United States League club were hung TO
the breeze yesterday when the wash
inzton players, under Manager George
Browne, announced that they would quit
unless the ghost walked within twenty
four hours.
In other words, salaries are long over
due, and all is not cheerful in the Out
law Wigwam. Manager George Browne
of the local club said last night:
.srhe only chance this club has 10
weather the storm Is for somebody 70
kick in with some real coin, and as there
is no angel in sight, the Senators VIII
either hit the high spots or be trans
ferred to Buffalo, or some other good
town In the East"
Salaries or strike.
Il expect 10 receive assurances to-
morrow morning from President Wit
man Of the league that the salaries Of
the men will be paid at once, and that
everything viii be all right, but in the
event of his failing TO come across, the
boys say they viii quit and go home,
continued the leader of the Inflated
crew.
Every other club in the circuit is
going strong. and the reason why the
local AGGREGATION failed to get flying
start was the lack of advertising and
other necessary work in Washington.
Nobody attempted anything in this city,
and / could not see to II, as had the
club in Richmond. feel confident that
my team can beat any club in the league,
and all / ask is a little financial back
ing to pull me over the rough spots,
Browne continued
laa1 10 meeting
Pittsburg to-day, and President Whitman
told me that everything will be straight
ened out, and IL something Is not done
] win be unable to hold my team to-
gether,' said George.
Bright Outlook In PittsburE.
In regard to the meeting of the league,
which was held at the Hotel Schenley.
the following wire was received late last
night, and tends to give the local club
another lease on life:
'Pittsburg, Pa, May ls.-Club owners
in the United States League assembled
here to-day 10 talk over present condi-
tons and to discuss the future. Presi-
dent Whitman, of Reading, presided. At
the conclusion of the session, which was
held in the SchenIey Hotel, and which
lasted all evening. President Henderson,
of the Pittsburg club, gave out this
statement:
While We met here to-day, it was q
sort Of informal gathering. A number
Of matters have come up since the
opening of the season which demanded
immediate attention, especially as the
Western clubs are about to start East
There was absolutely no mention of any
contemplated change in the circuit.
Every club owner expressed himself as
satisfied with existing conditions and
declared his intention TO stick through
out the season. None of US expect TO
make any money this year, but in the
majority of our cities the attendance
has been most fiattering. The Pitts
burg club played to more than 5000 peo-
pie in Chicago Saturday. Despite bad
weather the attendance in Pittsburg has
been away above what was looked for"
Players Ready to Quit.
The foregoing would give the impress
sion that everything Is rosy with the
outlaws, but the players, up to a late
hour, had received no news from the
front, and said that If nothing was
forthcoming at II o'clock this morning
when the club will meet at the park,
they will leave for their homes
When the league was first organized,
one Albrecht, of Reading, was made
president Of the local club, controlling
the same. About a week ago this AL
brecht blew, and the team has been
without a hacker except Manager
George Browne.
In all fairness to Browne, it must be
said that he has worked untiringly for
the club and has received no thanks
Browne has corralled a bunch of likely
looking ball tossers, and from the other
clubs which have played here, 1t looks
as If the Senators would stand a mighty
good chance to grab the title in the out
law circuit should they remain within
the fold
Browne has devoted at least six weeks
OF his time to the local club, and has re-
ceived nothing but a lot Of harsh words
and tangles. which he will never be able
to unravel in ten years. He has gotten
his club in good shape, and 1t has been
putting up a great game, now being
, well up in the race, only to have the
club blow in the most approved fashion.
OF course, there Is still hope, but Paddy
Cotter, first string catcher, said last
night that he did not expect the league
to come across with any coin, and that
unless the ghost walked to-day it would
be good-by for the entire team.
Three GO to Richmond.
It was rumored last night at the Hotel
Benin, where the ball tossers are stop
ping, that Gus Dundon, Frank Owens
and Big Pfener, the three mainstays Of
the local aggregation, had left for Rich
mond, where they will hook up with the
club Of that place,
Richmond is really the strongest club
of the circuit. and 1t is logical that Wash
ington should be in the league, as II
breaks the jump from Reading to the
Virginia capital. But, unless some real
money is ioated this morning, local fans
will not have chance TO see the United
States Leaguers in action at Union
League Park.
Owner Mockabee, of the Washington
club, failed to have the grounds ready
for the game yesterday scheduled be-
tween Washington and Reading, and the
contest was called on, not. however, I'M
Ill the Senators had arrived in town.
AS the Reading outfit did not leave that
place, It looks as II somebody had slipped
Browne the wrong steer, and the Sem
ators are out their car fare and hotel
hills until 1aaVIIa fannIa e. rfr lrf1