The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-11
SHORT OF MONEY.


was incurred in the 1911 season, the
first season the present owners were In
charge. The German-American bank
holds notes against the local baseball
association and has been urging q set
Element Owing to the reverses OF the
year the local company has been un-
able to pay the amount due and the
bankers thought by foreclosing the
mortgage that they could dispose Of
the franchise and players. thus recov-
ering the money duo them. it ID report
ed in Topeka today.
Transfer OF Franchise?
President O'Neill explained that the
franchise and players were the prop
erty Of the league and not OF the club
as supposed. In addition to that, he
informed them that If the officers
Of the local company could be allowed
raise the money at a later date. If
they could not, Of course, the club and
franchise would be transferred to some
other town, such town assuming the
responsibilities or q certain part Of
ceiving town would be required to pay
q large amount of money and q part
Of this, probably enough to pay all
debts, would be turned over to the
local company, which in turn would be
turned over to the creditors Of the
club.
The creditors did not make any an
|nouncement but it il believed the mat
ter has bsen sufficiently explained 30
a. to remove all danger Of putting the
Topeka baseball club In q hazardous
position. e
According to President O'Neili con-
ditions in the Western League just now
are unfavorable, but he expects q re-
lief In the near future.
Crops VIII Help.
President Tip O'Neill thinks tho last
part of the Western League season
will be much better than tho first part.
or just contrary to the usual condi-
tons He said: 81 think tho Western
League clubs will get the huge crowds
during the latter part OF the season
which they have missed during the
early spring. Tho crops arc fne and
others are coming. on which indicate
that they will be as good a. those
which have been harvested.
'"rhe farmers will become more ac-
tive az soon a. tho corn crop can be
estimated. This will cause Z revival
OF business, and then the baseball
crowds will become larger.
This season has been . hard ono
in the Western League. Not ono Of
the clubs il doing very well and SOW
eral Of them have lost o little money.
'"Of. course I know the finances of
the Topeka club are low. but that was
not caused by this seasons perform
ance. Tho old debt which has hung
over tho club since the season Of 1911
when tho present owners went in debt
$4,000. IL causing all. the trouble.
think the creditors, understand now
better than ever and viii do nothing
to harass baseball in Topeka
1.-The players and franchise Of every
town do not belong to the town or any
individual man or company OF men.
II the owners Of any club should be
unable to pay debts or finance the
club the franchise ana players must
would place them in bome other town.
Then the creditors would have nothing
that they. could recover excepting the
baseball park.
Others Low Too.
Gam sorry the Topeka club finances
are low, but others on the circuit also
arc low. I don't think the officers Of
tho local association or the fans need
worry. The club win stay in Topeka
and win go through the season. They
| may lose money, but they viii get II
back next year. OF course, under
stand that Il II embarrassing TO the
men who must put up the money un-
til more prosperous times prevail, but
everything will como out all right.
Loyal Set I'm Topeka
The fans OF Topeka are = loyal 81
and are entitled to much considera-
ton. The Topeka club has had
mighty hard luck this season. The
drst setback was when OutneldeI
Riggs had to quit. the second Wal
when Infielder Dowd proved djsap-
pointment. and the next was tho tan
iure OF Manager Dale 10ear He wa1 I
mighty fine fellow. but It seems thai
that he had the ability. Anothey
piece OF hard luck was -thA NV m