The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-01-05
Runsor Circulate In keokuk to Effect
That Hamilton Business Men
Want Franchise, Not
Credited.
M'KINNEY ON BASEBALL
Industrial Commissioner of Power
Zone is Enthusiastic Fan and
Wants to See Baseball
Here.

There seems TO be nothing doing in
the baseball question IN the city at
present, although during the past
week there have been numerous re
ports to the effect that there would
soon be uncovered a scheme whereby
Keokuk would enjoy at least one
more season OF the national game un-
der the protection Of organized ath-
letics.
The rumor that gained the most
strength. but which has been denied
by persons who are in a position TO
know OF the matter. was that the
business men Of Hamilton were max,
Ing q bid for the Keokuk franchise
and were willing TO back a club TO
the extent Of $3.50 and depend upon
the Keokuk fans to pull them out of
the hole hat would be evident in the
attendance Il they depended upon
Hamilton alone
II could not be ascertained directly
where the report originated. hut it is
thought that II was wild thought
Of some OF the Hamilton sports who
were in no way financially respon-
sibla. Several Keokuk fans. however.
thought the scheme entirely practical
and were boosting Inc project along
I In great shape until it was discovered
hat the business men OF Hamilton
had never considered the matter in
any way.
From al indications Keokuk Is
doomed 70 disappointment SO far as
baseball Is concerned A noticeable
lack of inte-ess IS evidenced every
tine any Ct the directors of the base
hall association are approached and
it IS Impossible TO get them 70 com.
NIT themselves about the matter.
Many fans express the opinion that
when the time comes when President
Justice calls for the guarantee. Keo-
kuk sport lovers viii come to the
front as they always have and dig up
enough coin of the realm to put the
club upon its feet and take chances
upon finishing well up in the race for
the banner.
As the matter now stands, no one
win take the initiative In starting the
ball rolling and unless some one is
willing 70 stand the brunt of the load
of criticism that will be his lot and
start ont with a subscription list II
seems as though Keokuk will, for the
first time in many years be without
]. representative baseball club
]. A. Mckinney. industrial commits
!, sioner. recently secured to exploit
/ the power zone. in speaking of he
! local situation yesterday said:
q cannot see how the city can hope
/ to keep in the public eye by dropping
I ont OF baseball a. this time Athletic:
of some kind, believe, should be en-
: couraged in every community Base
ball especially acts as a safety valve
for overworked business men, who
without the game would dry up, fal
/, into rut and soon develop pessi
mistic outlook upon life that would
!, be greatly detrimental to the city.
q have known men Of large pub
!. lie and private interests who wer,
looked upon by many OF their bust
NESS dSStEidtSe DIS queer, SCCeutrl
and absolu ely foolish, because the,
would abruptly drop matters OF gTea
importance in order to go out an,
:. watch a ball game. 1t was not foo
!. ish. it was simply their only oppol
tunity to relieve their brains fror
the immense load OF responsibilit
tha4 rested upon them and fit ther
for the continuance of the grea
struggle for business supremacy.
4 Il. for one am heartily in favor c
! baseball and sincerely hope that
= may be able to see organized bast
y ball in Keokuk during the comm
!. summer As an advertising propos
: ton ! think it one of the best and a
!, a safety valve for overworked human
!. ity, am sure hat it meets the pop
:. lar need as nothing else does.