Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-03-18
ray Latest Maiil

! NEW YORK. - This is a story Of
James A. Gilmore OF Chicago. whose
rapid-fire financial dealings saved the
Federal league from ruin and made
the new organization big power in
baseball with a reported backing OF
SIC, 100000. To President Gilmore goes
the credit Of expanding bankrupt
league TO eight cities and enlisting the
support of great financial interests.
II was the young Westerner's rare
manipulating genius that made this
possible within period Of seven
months. or the leagues development,
which caused him to travel thousands
Of miles and hold countless confer
ences day and night. Mr.. Gilmore him.
self tersely says: at was simply q
case of hustle, fight. hustle and fight :"
Before leaving for Chicago, after
placing a club in Brooklyn feat
that took but eight days Mr.. Gilmore
said that the Federal league had won
fits fight against organized ball and
the public must now decide whether
the new circuit should succeed or fall.
Had Big Reputation.
The real growth of the Federal
League began last July, when Jame1
A. Gilmore assumed charge. At thii
time the Pittsburgh club didn't havi
enough money to hire ticket takers.
The Chicago team was In financial
difficulties. The club owners IN des-
peration called on their friend. Jimmy
Gilmore. president Of Chicago iron
company, and who already had big
reputation as an organizer, for advice.
Young Jimmy Gilmore startled his
callers by saying he would take charge
of their club and league. Long base
ball fan himself, Mr. Gilmore saw the
possibilities of the new league and he
quickly got busy. He first mapped
out campaign against organized ball,
the supreme body in baseball.
The iron president practically neg
l6cted his business for the coming
baseball war. To make sure Of his
ground he employed the best counsel
! obtainable in Chicago and had the le-
! gality of the reserve clause In play
ers, contracts thoroughly examined.
His lawyers told him that players could
be engaged when only held by their
reserve clauses to organized ball.
With this as weapon, President Gil
more began firing off his guns against
the opposition.
i But players cost money and the
young league at that time badly need
ed money, and lots of 1t. So the Chi
cago promoter began hurried pursuit
OF capital that was soon to bear fruit.
Aside from his financial ability Mr..
Gilmore is what successful business
men call good mixer" He has the
/ faculty of, making friends easily and
keeping them. Il has been one Of Mr.,
Gilmore's notices to STAY near big
money by cuItivating the acquaintance
of influential men, He had hosts Of
friends, and he called them by their
first names. Finley Shepard, Helen
Gould's husband, is sShep' to his pal
Gilmore. President Gilmore Is Jim
my" to his old clubmate. It was the
same way for many other leading men
throughout the country.
AS said before, Gilmore required
money for his new league. He soon
lined up his friends on the subject.
The first one he tackled was Charles
w CC6 q JO0u6 CnANo9O AAA4AAACA-
aire and owner of II quick lunch res
taurants and two moving picture the
aters. It so happened that Mr.. WEIGH
RAN for some time had wanted to buy
a baseball club. In 1911 ne tried to
purchase the St. LOUIS Nationals.
President Gilmore unfolded his plan
to weeghman and 1t was accepted.
Altar much celebrating Mr.. Weegh-
man agreed to finance the Chicago
club. Charles Weeghman ever since
has been a prime mover N the new
project and his Windy City friends
ssy he has so far advanced $4,000
to the Federal league.
With this accomplished the busy Mr..
Gilmore transferred his activities to
st. Louis. After more manipulating
Otto Stifel, rich brewer, volunteered
to back a st. Louis club. Things were
now breaking nicely for the Chicago
promoter Further dickering landed
tIg money support for Kansas City.
The next performance was the ropine
OF capitalists in indianapolis for a
local team.