The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-14

|MlY0R coFRM TO PITCH Ball


The state executive council Today
declared = half holiday for Friday af-
ternoon to permit all state house Of
nctals and employees to attend the
opening Of the Western League ball
season In Topeka. Every Office in the
state house will be closed Friday at
ternoon under the order Of the council.
Practically every state house Official
will attend the Topeka-Wichita game
according to present plans. Cover
nor Hodges viii be one of the few Of
ncials who will not be able to attend
the game. He has speaking date
in Independence Friday and will be
compelled to miss the official open
ing of the baseball season in Topeka
Last year the governor attended the
hrst game and threw the first ball.
II hope everyone will turn out to
the game. though" said the governor
after the meeting of the executive
council. I'VE should give the teams
from the two big Kansas cities-To-
peka and Wichita-a rousing welcome
Friday afternoon and wish that
could see the game"
Chief Justice Johnston. associate
justices OF the court, Attorney Gen
eral Dawson, Secretary of State SEES
sions. Treasurer Akers. Auditor Davis.
and the heads and clerks and stenog-
raphers Of the various state depart
state house crowd will do its full share
In making Friday afternoon q big
holiday in Topeka and If the Kaws
Tail to win the opening game-well,
1t will not be because the state house
gang failed to pull for the home team.
r. L Cofran, mayor Of Topeka, will
be with the baseball fans whole-heart-
edly at the opening game of the sea-
son. His will be the honor of Official
ly opening the season on the local
grounds. In response to an invitation
from the Booster club he has consented
10 pitch the first ball.
Mayor Cofran Helps Things Along.
And just to help things along and
give everyone an opportunity to attend
the first game he will issue a procla-
nation uring the observance Of a half
holiday. e4s,4
while can issue a proclamation
declaring a half-holiday," said the
mayor, ''of course cannot make the
stores close, IL their prOprietOrs do not
wish to close. hut I am ready to do
everythingsI canito help start tho sea-
son off right, and Ifwilleissue the proc
lamation declaring a half-holiday with
the hope that just as many will OBJ
SckVG IL A0s C6ns
Il took part in the first game last
year and it seemed to be a hoo1oo, but
I was not pitching then. will pitch
the first ball, II the fans want me to
and are not afraid Of the hoodoo.''
Santa Fee Offices to Close.
C. w. Kouns. general manager of the
Santa Fee, also consented to declare q
half holiday at the general offices for
the same reason Among the !, 200 en-
ployes Of this institution q majority
are baseball fans and practically all
of them want to attend the game.
The members of the Boosters and
Rooters' club are giving a benefit at
the Novelty theater today The re-
ceipts of this benefit will be used to
defray the expenses of the Booster day
parade and for prizes for the players
In the opening game. Marshalls band
will lead the parade in automobiles
and will be followed by some of the
state and county officers and the play
efs Of both teams.
There is every reason to believe that
with good weather the crowd will be
greater than ever in the history of
baseball in the city. A crowd Of 1852
attended the opening game last year
and this Is the present high water
mark. The weather man in the early
weather report today, promises about
the same brand Of weather as is being
served To-Day.
Business Houses to Close.
A large number of business houses,
including the department and large
clothing stores, have agreed to close
in time for this game.
Shops Won't Close.
The officers Of the shops will not be
asked to close the shops as the men
employed there have been working such
short time during the last winter that
this was considered inadvisable.
The games Friday, Saturday and
Sunday will be called at 3 O'Clock. The
games Monday and thereafter will be
called at $3.50 o'clock. The Santa Fe
shops and the Offices close regularly
Saturday afternoon and this will give
the fans OF these two establishments
a chance to attend an early game.
Persons who expects to attend the
game and use automobiles are request
ed to drive by the way Of Tenth and
Washington streets. The bridge ON Fiji
teenth street - closed for repairs and