The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-20
RUPERT AND HUSTON |
WITHDRAW THEIR BID
Ban Johnson Fails to Satisfy
WOuld-be Purchasers of
New York Club.
DEAL NOW DEFINITELY OFF

FRENCH LICK. Ind. Dec. l9-CoL
Jacob Ruppert, Jr.. and Capt. T. l.. Hus-
ton OF New York will no; purchase the
New York American League baseball clup
At a final conference here to-day with
President Ban johnson OF the younger
major circuit the parties concerned agreed
to disagree. II was announced Tonight
that negotiations wer" closed and thdt
there was little likelihood OF either side
trying to reopen them.
Aside from admitting complete failure
to come To terms the principals TO the
proposed transaction. which had famed
general interest for more than a week. APP
peared somewhat reticent about discussing
the case. IL was learned at American
League headquarters that the final split
resulted from the reluctance of Messrs.
Rupert and Huston TO accept the guar
antee Of Mr.. johnson to provide COM
petent manager and Ave veteran players
OF worth from rival clubs. The would re
purchasers insisted upon legal documen-
tary evidence OF this good faith before
they produced their money. President
johnson up to this time had been unable
TO exhibit anything more substantial thdn
right good will
Itis said that Ban johnson did not r.
ceive the cooperation from his colleagues
In general that he had expected. Each
was willing that the other fellow should
contribute toward the pot that might have
set the big city TO rights in the eyes OF
the American League, but when u be-
came a personal matter every one mmedi-
ately became evasive. He wished to stan
for time in the hope that he might show
his good will In a stock of surplus talent
when II came time TO effect the new roster
limit.
Messrs. Rupert and Huston however.
intlmatcd that they did not care to risk
half million dollar investment on the
bare promises OF others. no matter how
sincere those promises might be. From
the outset they had been well advised,
They had been advised that the c ub
would be a profitable investment only On
condition that " could be established al
once as a pennant possibility. With sucn
concrete Insurance they had been pre-
pared to buy and TO provide "A home fof
the American League In New York city.
one OF the principal advisers OF dhese
shrewd business men was John J. McGraw.
manager Of the New York Giants, This
fac, OF itself complicated matters. Ban
Johnson inwardly resented the apparent
manipulatons of a man who had borne
his enmity for more than a dozen years.
When the American League president first
came to French Lick he intimated that
McCraw had prepared obstacles which
might sidetrack the deal. Johnson eX-
pressed keen displeasure at an interview
attributed to the leader of the Giants in
which the latter declared that he had ad-
vised Messrs' RUPERT and Huston how
far they might go with bid. allowing
$50. 900 leeway.
col. Rupert consulted McGraw when
he first thought OF making bid for the
property. lie Is a bus ness man, un-
acquainted with the peculiar laws of or
ganized baseball, and arranged an inter-
view with the Giant chief IN the hope
that he might induce the Little Napoleon
to take hold of his club. II was pointed
out to Rupert that MciraW couldn't get
away from the Giants even If he were
SO disposed.
From hints that were dropped to-day
n was learned that johnson was able
to arrange for a satisfactory manager.
but that he could not guarantee the FIVE
veteran players demanded. These play
ers Il il said. were of the very best at
their respective positions and associated
with clubs that figure prominently in next
seasons American League forecast liz
Guided among the lot were a first base
man a second baseman, an outiicldor and
"A catO her. The would-be purchasers were
prepared to sacrifice everything on the club
outside Ma sci and four pitchers TO attain
their object
all dlsconsolate after the final interview
with Col Rupert They parted very
good friends II IL believed here that
Johnson has other irons in the fire. He
has expressed confidence all along that
H.. would be able TO announce "a new
ownership and new. management for the
unfortunate New Works before the new
vaar 1t is thought that other Influences
may have entered the field and that new
negotiations may he opened by parties
yer unnamed that may bring quick and
At