Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-02
BAN DENIES SALE
OF BOSTON CLUB
American League Chief Admits
That the Stock Is on the
Market.
CHANGE MADE NECESSARY
meAIeer and Mccoy Became Dissatis-
fled Following Trouble on the
Inside.

The Boston American League club
has not been sold. This is what Presi-
dent Johnson had % say yesterday
following the report from New York
stating that the half-interest held by
vesterners had been disposed of TO
Joseph Lannin Of Boston. This is the
first official announcement that the
club is even for sale. previous stories
being based on mere rumor.
Johnson will not deny that half Of
the club is to be SOLD soon. He ad-
mitted that his sudden departure for
the East last week was for the pur-
pose OF STRENGTHENING out the hub tan
gle II was impossible to settle the
matter. however. so the league chief
Garted home. but may have 10 rush
back to the seaboart in a few days 10
settle the matter permanently.
There is a possibility of James Nc
Aleer. Robert Mercy and Jake Stahl
retaining their interests for a time,
but only in the event of Johnson failing
10 find a suitable purchaser
Paid $4,000 for Interest.
The stock held by the above three
constitutes a halfinterest in the organ
ization- The remaining half is owned
by General Charles Taylor and John l.
Taylor, who acted as president until
McAleer bought his way into the club.
The price said to have been paid for
the half-interest in 1911 was $4,000,
but the stock has increased in value
since. because OF money invested in
Fenway park. a modern baseball plant.
Johnson yesterday acknowledged
that it was imperative 10 make a
change in the ownership. While the
Red SOx were winning a pennant in
1912 the Boston fans supported the
club wonderfully well During the
v ord series the first slip occurred
when the Royal Rooters." who had
Travelled with the club between New
York and Boston for each game, failed
10 FIND their seats for The seventh bat
tie at Boston
This was put at the door Of Secre- /
tary Mercy The cea-s had been re- ,
served for the 'roOters'' Just as they /
had been for the previous games. and 1
NcROy failed TO hold them. While il /
was none Of his business. Mayor F'itz- /
gerald Of Boston took up the matter .
and demanded McRoy's resignation.
StshI Break Turned Tide.
On top OF this came the break be
tween Manager Jake Stahl and Nc \
Aleer. Having won a worlds cham .
pionship Stahl naturally was popular .
and being humbled in face Of an ex-
cellent record didn't make a hit. Pres
ident Johnson was among those not /
pleased with the release at the time
End said so. Right then is when the
sale OF the club was first talked OF.
although nothing was made public.
McAleer is now on his way across
the Pacific with the world-tOuring SoN
and Giants. but is aware that he may
not be a magnate many more days
Some time ago he. with McRoy and
Stahl. agreed 10 put the matter in
Johnson's hands. NcAIeer and MCRoy.
according TO Johnson. became dissat-
isfied. this feeling probably growing
out OF the hostile attitude OF the Bos-
ton public
The date for the formal transfer Of
the stock has been set at Dec. 10. but
this means nothing. Unless johnson
already has buyer in line there is lit
tie chance OF his closing the deal soon
lie has not denied that eventually Ian
min will become a stakeholder. At pres I
ent Lannin is a stOckhol6er and direc-
tor OF the Boston National club. but
viii dispose OF his interest II successful
in buying his way into the American