Evening star., 1915-06-30

PHILADELPHIA. June 3o.-Persis-
tent rumors to the effect that Connie
Mack's holdings in the Athletics were
for sale and that he had named his
price to a syndicate which has the ap-
proval OF Ban johnson, president of the
American League, were emphatically
denied by the manager OF the Mackmen
last night. Mack also refused to con-
firm or deny reports that several of his
players are to be traded or sold.
The report that Mack was ready to
sell out his holdings in the club gained
circulation about week ago, when
Ban johnson came to Philadelphia to
confer with the owners of the Athletics.
1t is said the league officials are dis
satisfied with the way Mack is break
ing up his club, and that there were
certain men interested In the league
who were eager to take over Mack's
stock.
Manager Mack was interviewed at
Broad Street station last night. on his
way from Washington to Boston. He
alighted from the Federal express to
meet Mrs. Mack, who went to Boston
with him. He was not surprised when
the question was put to him regarding
the sale of his stock, but said. with
consldeEapie empnaSlS.
Aust Be Driven Out.
my interest in the Athletics Is not
for sale at any price. but any time my
partners are dissatisfied with the way
Tn running my ball club. or the Amer
ican League does not like what I'm
doing and wants to drive me out of
the city. they can do 1T easy enough.
But II will be a case OF driving me out,
for don't intend to quit. I'm here to
stay, and I'll win just as sure as I've
won before.
There 10 one thing certain, however,
Tn not going to let any one tell me
how to run my ball club. There have
been all kinds of rumors started and
] have been kept busy answering tele-
grams ana telephone calls about my
players and my team. / asked waivers
on Shawkey and that is how the news
leaked out. Today ! read a report
right here that I do not intend to tell
anybody anything. You can say, IL
you want to. that McInnis or Strunk
or any other member of the team Is
to be traded or sold, but I'm not going
TO admit II or deny II. Even my part
ners In the club or the officials of the
American League do not know what
I'm going to do and what my plans for
the future are. and they are not going
10 Know eltheF. 1OU can make thak
as strong as you like"
Plans Housecleaning.
From all accounts Connie has planned
q regular housecleaning and when he
Is through there will be only one or two
Of the regulars left on the team. Jack
Barry Is said to be booked for sale, but
Manager Mack said last night that Bar.
ry would play with the Athletics in
Boston today. Jack Lapp is another
who, II is said, will be traded or sold
and that Manager Mack has had two
GOOD offers for his veteran backstop
Neither report could be connrmed
thropgh Mack last night. The Athletics
manager was thoroughly wrought w
over the rumors about his club. and
the fact that the team continues to lose
30 not helping matters.
John B, Shibe. secretary and stock,
holder OF the Athletics. disclaimed all
knowledge Of any of the club stock be.
ing for sale, and said that not one
share Of the stock held by his father
and brother was on the market or could
be bought. shibS said he had nevei
been asked to sell his stock and wal
surpriSed to learn that any one was
willing to invest q large sum of money
In bAse ball at this time.
'.rhls has been bad season." said
Secretary Shibe. and we are playing te
empty benches. I have never offered
my stock to any one and 90 not IN