The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-09
Struggle for Worlds Base ball HonOrs Is Preceded by War and Rumors of War
LEADER OF BRAVES SAYS HE WILL PUNCH
 MACK ON THE NOSE
Charges Unsportsmanlike Conduct on Part of the Athletic Manager-Ticket Graft Scandal Alleged

Philadelphia, October S.--1he worlds series of 1914 apparently will be fought without the spirit of broth erly love, for which the Quaker City is noted. The struggle for the pre- mier baseball honors was preceded to- day by fusillade of threats that read like bulletins from the European war zone.
 Manager George Stallings of the Boston Nationals has threatened to punch Connie Mack of the Worlds Champion Athletics on the nose; Di- rector Porter of the department of public safety threatens to investigate reports of ticket graft scandal; the national commission received an al- legged shortage of pasteboards and. to cap the climax, the weather man threatens rain for tomorrow. the day upon which the American and Ma tional league pennant winners are scheduled to open the series here at Shibe park
 Not since the menorable str,avla between the Philadelphia Americans and New York Nationals in 1911 baa the city been so stirred by baseball conflict. Roth players and followers appear to take the coming contests "l,h unusual seriousness. The spirit of battle and the lack of accommodations were noticeable throughout Phiiadel- phia tonight. Every hotel was crowded with baseball players and spectators. but the congestion was negligible com parea with that in the offices where seats for the series were being han- dled
 Demand Unusually Large
 The demand for admission coupons to Snlbe park surpasses anything of u similar character ever encountered in the past world series in which the Athletics have been participants Thou sands of fans have been unable to pur- chase tickets through the ordinary channels.
 Random is augmented from Boston. New York and Washington. Both ho- tel proprietors and baseball magnates are at their wits end to accommodate the gathering clans
 Baseball and it's. qualifications is the sole topic of conversation. Statements and denials issued from the camps of the rival clubs help to keep interest keyed mp to an unusual pitch This is especially true of the controversy be- tween the two club managers regard ing the use of Shibe park for practice today.
 Stailings accused Mack of unsports- manlille conduct and during a tele- phone conversation late today threat ened to punch his rival on the nose at the first opportunity. The trouble arose over Stallings' request for the use of Shbe park for practice. He made the request to Mack in person and the Athletics manager assured him he was welcome to use the park at any hour except between and o'clock this afternoon when the local club was scheduled to practice
 Stallings Satisfied
 According to Connie Mack the Bos- ton manager was satisfied, but when Mack asked Sta1li1lgs today If he had accused the Philadelphia club of re- fuslne to permit the National league champions to use the park the argu- ment became both bitter and personal, the hard feeling spread. rapidly among the players. magnates and partisans of the two leagues.
 In discussingi the affair Mack said:
 ''I cannot understand how the trou ble arose. Stal1ings asked me for the nse of the park today during a con versatlon on Wednesday. told him that Boston could have 1t at any hour except between 2 and o'clock. when I had ordered the Athletics to report for a final workout. He made no pro-
 (Continued on Page Ten)