The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-22

Chattanooga, July 21.--(Special.l- To
the casual and external observer 1t
would appear that the Lookout this
season have been the victims of hard
luck but such is not the case; the pres
ent crippled condition of the Lookouts
is due to nothing more than lack of
foresight and poor economy upon the
part of the officials of the club.
1t was some three weeks ago that
Otto Jordan was taken i'll at Atlanta
necessitating the permanent installa-
tion Of Sentell at second base. a move
which deprived the locals of utility
man, but to the present date no utili-
tartan has been supplied to fill the fatal
hole thus left. Two days later Hop
kins was released. leaving a hole in
the outfield and UP to the present date
this has not been filled. After the en-
ployinent of such tactics to replace
falling cogs there Is little opportunity
to blame fortune for the poor showing
of the club and It's present crippled
condition.
With Jordan out Of the game, Barr
on second base and Noyes In the out
field the club won six consecutive trays,
advancing into undisputed possession of
second place but instead of working
assiduously during this period of pros
perity which was due largely to a ia
vorable break in the luck, the locals
made no attempt whatever to strength
en-, the club officials foolishly per-
suading themselves that the smile of
the goddess would continue to beam
upon them forever.
Such an attitude has played havoc
with the teams chances. Where 1t
should be in second place and in easy
striking distance of the leaders 1t is
clear out of the first division and pre- :
pairing to sink even lower. AT present
the Lookouts are the worst crippled
aggregate in the league with Smith
and Moves in the outfield and even the
addition of Tutwiler, who Is an in-
fielder, does not suffice to strengthen
1t to a degree where 1t can be con-
sidered a pennant possibility
The officials of the club have stated
at various intervals that they were
willing to bankrupt the stockholders
TO secure men that would strengthen
the club. but this assertion has scarce
Nv been substantiated by their ae'ion
since the interpolation of jordan ana
Rarr. No attempt has been made 10
secure men except from the De.,'i'
club because of the fact that 'hes
could be secured from Navin TOT prac-
tically nothing. No oTer mas peei, liia 'l''
to other major league clubs although
man could be secured from them at
reasonable figure. The alleged wliiIpg-
,a,, ~ the club owners to bankrupt
the club TO add strength seems to have
snent itself with the assertion
The dilatoriness of the club IN secur-
ING material to fill actual or impend-
nc holes compares but most unfavor
ablv with the alacrity with which Rick
woodward purchased Almeida or G.
Hemphill has been purchasing players
during the past two months. The Vols,
too, did not hesitate to make drastic
changes in their lne-up at consider
able expense even though the season
was known to be. a financial failure
because of the embargo placed on the
club in Tennessee early in the season
following the middle over Sunday ball.
During the week that the club won
its six straight victories. just prior to
the injury Of Barr. the crowds increased
daily and upon the Saturday when luck