The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-22
NEW YORKS GO
INTO HANDS OF
JACOB RUPERT
Deal Closed i'm Chicago
Buyer Gains All of
His Demands.
RUMOR HAS MATTY
SLATED TO MANAGE

officially tonight that the New York
American League baseball club had been
sold to Col. Jacob Rupert Jr.. and
Capt. Tilinghast l.. Huston of New York
city. The negotiations were terminated
successfully at special meeting OF the
American League here to-day.
Further than TO state that the inter
ests of Frank Farrell w. $. Devery, Tom
Foley and Elkus-who had In their pos
session every share of the club stock
had been taken over entirely by the new
owners. Mr. johnson would not commit
himself. The terms and conditions for
the present will remain a secret Mr..
johnson did say that a new manager
satisfactory 10 the new owners had been
selected and that his colleagues had guar
antecd 10 their latest associates the five
sterling players upon whom Messrs Rup-
pert and Huston insisted The names
Of these six MIR. Johnson refused to d.
yulge.
Mr.. johnson promised that a full public
announcement of the transaction would be
forthcoming tomorrow. Then he hopes
80 be able To- effect transfer OF the stock.
IT was said. though the announcement
lacked official confirmation. that Frank
Farrell had been summoned here from
New York as soon as the Anrdrican
League club presidents finally agreed TO
give in TO the demands of the new owners.
Not the least prominent member Of to-
days conference was John ]. McGraw,
manager of the New York Giants His
appearance unexpectedly in the afternoon
created a mild sensation. II was believed
then that the sale of the New Yorks had
reached most acut. stage. for the an
tipathy of Ban johnson toward New
Sork's managerial idol Is well known. IL
has been known also that from the start
NTessrs. Rupert and Huston have placed
great reliance upon the advice of the
Giant leader.
McGraw announced that he came to
Chicago for the purpose of trying 10 Sc
cure Third Baseman Hans Lobert OF the
Philadelphia Nationals. He would have
had the writers believe that on Lober,'s
attitude hinged a nossibla trade het waen
the Giants and Phllies But his presence
at this particular time was interpreted in
an entirely different light and Its inter-
probation McGraw would neither affirm
nor deny.
1t is believed tonight that McGraw's
appearance on the scene was responsible
for the harmony of managerial selec-
ton and that Christy Mathewson will lead
the New York Americans in 1915.
While all OF those concerned in the
conference were sworn to secrecy until
the morrow. tho veil OF mystery was rent
dispersed for more congenial pursuits
than half million dollar transaction
hint dropped here and there showed
how the battle had gone in the opinions
of the outsiders.
The belief that Mathewson has been
agreed upon to direct the New York
Americans. II is argued. is borne out by
the fact that Messrs. Rupert and Hus-
ton visited Harry n. Hampstead in In
dianapolis Sunday and that McGraw was
a., ..,lt Hz.. Iii.
phone to-day.
According to the story OF an American
League club owner the hitch that had
delayed the deal for more than a week
was the determination OF the new owners
20 secure Manager Hughie Jennings OF
the Detroit Tigers. Frank Navin is said
10 have fought this move from the first.
even though IL threatened to result in a
permanent blocking of the deal. Navin.
. IL is declared went even further. and Sc
cured from Jennings a statement that he
preferred to remain in Detroit. That is
said to have brought Mathewson into
consideration.
II Is known that many long distance tele-
phone calls went out Of the council cham
her during the spirited day. New York
and indianapolis were both consulted sew
eral times. And II is not believed that all
OF the conversation had to do only with
the conditions OF a temporary lease on the
Polo Grounds.
been in the market for the New York
Americans ever since late last August II
was learned to-day. The matter was first
preached through an outside source to Mr..
Farrell, who promptly turned the offer
down. II was not until Frank Chance left
the club as the result of a row with w. s.
Devery that Farrell and his chief asso-
clate thought of disposing OF their stock.
Since then number OF offers were
made. That OF Col. Rupert, however.
49,,
William F1eschmann, met with first con-
sideration, As long back as the worlds
series the friends of Col. Rupert brought
every influence to bear upon Mr.. Farrell.
The original Idea was to relieve the club
of the presence OF William S. Devery only
But the Big Chief refused to be budged
unless his partner agreed TO sell also.
For many weeks Mr. Farrell refused
to acknowledge that an offer had been
made or that he would consider any offer.
The criticism OF the club that fell heavily
after Chances departure spurred Ban
Johnson to renewed action. So insstent
did he become upon a change OF owner
ship that Frank Farrell and w. s. Devery
ultimately placed price Of half a million
dollars on the entire stock.
II now develops that one of the main
bitches was this apparently exorbitant
price The club was without a home
The only tangible property involved was
;he claim to some thirty more or less
INDUSTRIOUS ana nlBn priced Dali players,
and the good will of New York represented
by an American League franchise. This
franchise Mr.. Farrell had received gratis
when he came to the leagues rescue in
1908 and took the place OF Baltimore
which had forfeited its protection when
McGraw scuttled the American League in
tina, city
Farrell was adamant He refused to
pare his price, Rupert refused to bid
beyond $500 This was $50 600 better
than an offer made by Conan and Harris
the theatrical promoters. Johnson argued
In" merits OF a New York franchise so
skillfully that Rupert finally raised his
bid to $4bW000. But this raise, the
American League was informed. must en-
tai. the guarantee of a competent manager
and five competent players-neces si III es
10 make Of New York "A pennant possi-
blity in 1915.
IT Is believed that to-mOrrow's an
nouucehcnt viii show that the American
leagu" came TO Ban Johnson's rescue
not only in the matter OF players but also
with huances, as well founded story to-
night had 1t that FARRELL hung so stub
holnly to his stand that it was necessary
Tor III" other seven American League
cluh owners to make up the difference
hct"cou Farro!s price and tho bid of
UupnCrt and Huston