Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-17
POLICE CLEAR A WAY
TO WAITING AUTOS
Long Lines Formed Before Daybreak
by Ticket Purchasers.
SUPPLY IS SOON EXHAUSTED
One Fan, Late in Reaching Window,
Pays Holder $50 Each for Two
Little Pasteboard Slips.
Washington is base ball mad,

W washington is DaSe DalI mad.
Ring all the changes on that word
mad; use every synonym the diction-
airy contains for the monosyllable and
You have a reasonably close approxima-
ton of the degree of enthusiasm that
exists in Washington over Our Team and
its prospects.
Before noon today every reserved seat
for tomorrow's game had been disposed
OF. At o'clock this morning-early
risers say long before that time-lines
extending a block or more had been
formed at the box office Of the New
National. at Ham Adams place, and
every one Of the downtown offices where
reserved seats were on sale. Business
men. professional men. clerks, and a
large number of women made up the
lines Of waiting fans-waiting for the
offices to open so they might buy the
bits Of pastboard that would insure them
admittance to the big concrete coliseum
at 7th and Florida avenue to see the
game tomorrow between the nifty Ma
tionals and Cornelius McGillicuddys S
worlds champions.
One dyed-in-the-wool fan, reaching the
New National too late to secure tickets,
paid big advance to a more lucky indi-
vdual for two box seats for tomor-
rows game. When the men behind the
screens and counters closed the windows
or announced that all seats had been
sold, the waiting lines still extended far
had waited for several hours were unable
to buy tickets because there were no
more to be bought.
1t Is expected that the fans by the
hundred will be waiting in line at the
park when the sale of general admissions
0D0nS Tomorrow morning
Given Warm Welcome.
II there was any doubt as to whether
their performance in the west was being
appreciated at home. 1t was dispelled
when the Nationals arrived at Union
station from Cleveland this morning. No
ball team ever received q warmer vel
come than did thSi victorious band Of
Grifith's. Lined up on all sides OF the
streets leading to the station and filing
almost every available foot OF space in
the spacious structure were those who
have watched from distance the bril-
liant performances of the team. and when
Manager Griffith and his players alighted
from their sleepers a mighty cheer went
up which voiced both appreciation and
welcome.
Fortunately for the players, policemen
were on hand to clear the way to the
automobiles. which were to take them to
their homes. or some Of the more en-
thusastic fans would have carried them
on their shoulders. Several members of
the team could not avoid hugs from their
admirers. That the players were. pleased
with their homecoming was shown by
the smiles on their faces. Every indi-
viduai on the team received cheering
words from the crowds as: he passed
along and Manager Griffith was the tar
get for words Of welcome and praise.
The old war horse plainly showed his
embarrassment as he smilingly acknowl-
edged the ovations given him.
Interest naturally centered in Gandil,
the new member of the team, whose
great work has done much to win many
games the team gathered on its trip
There were inquiries everywhere for Gan
dill Men and boys wanted to get q look
at the big first baseman and then crushed
around him until ne had to ask the aid
of policeman to get him to his automo-
bile
Public Is Conhdenh
1t is the first time in many years that
Washington's base -ball-ioving public has
had an opportunity to enthuse. Seven
years ago a team under Jake Stahl made
a fine start and was given a great recep-
ton on it's return here. but that squirt
proved but fash in the pan. and the
team eventually dropped to the bottom Of
the race. There Is no danger. in the
opinion of the fans. Of a repetition OF
such a spectacle in this instance, how
ever. Public confidence in the team has
been restored and there was conclusive
evidence of this as the players walked
through the crowds at the station.
When the first player appeared at the
portal Of the big marble building cheer
, went up. swelling in volume until 1t could
be heard for blocks.
There were cries for speech from
Griffith, but the "Old Fox declined to
voice his views on the race, further
than to say that he liked his team and
that he expected them to continue the
good work to the finish.
Walter johnson had his own machine
at the station. and. though not well.
he drove 1t to his hotel, being the OBJ
ject Of all eyes and many congratula
tions.
Griffith's players is in perfect condi-
tfon, barring Johnson. OF course. That
athletic appearance which comes only
with months Of hard work marked the
face of every one Of the players.
And it seemed that those who were
not on hand to greet the team at the
station were trying to buy privileges
to see it in action on It's first appear
ance here.
Crowd in Line for Tickets.
One of the greatest crowds that ever be-
sieged the New National Theater was
lined up in front of 1t this morning. One
would have thought that Sarah Bernhardt
was playing a single farewell engagement,
| only 1t is probable that such an event
| would not have drawn the numbers OF
persons who were waiting a chance to
| buy tickets to the ball game tomorrow.
1t was a good-humored crowd. Whether
| It was the purpose for which they were
| there or because Of the feelings Of pleas
ure over the success Of the team is a
| question. but any way. there did not seem
| to be even the faintest appearance OF i'll
will on the part of anybody. And it is
not the pleasantest thing imaginable to
stand perfectly still in one spot for sew
eral hours in order to buy a privilege.
| Just how early 1t was when the crowd
| started to gather is impossible to tell.
| The policeman who had charge OF the
handling Of it said he was there at .