Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-19
R. B. WARDS DEATH
BLOW TO FEDERALS
Brooklyn Man Said to Have Put
Over 81 ,000,0 900 Into Base
Ball Venture.
WAS FINANCIAL ANGEL
FOR THE ENTIRE CIRCUIT
American League May Shorten
Training Period-Pirates to
Figure in Trades.
BY J. ED GRILLo.

The death of Robert B. Ward, owner
Of the Brooklyn Federal League club
and a man who has been Of great help
to that organization in a financial way.
Is apt to make a big difference in the
plans of the Gilmore circuit.
Ward was involved to an amount ex-
ceeding 100000 in the Federals. Not
only was the Brooklyn venture an ex-
pensive proposition. but he furnished
much of the money to other clubs to
keep the circuit intact.
Ward has not been a we'll man since
he went into the Federal League. The
affairs Of the Organization worried him
a whole lot, while his family and busi-
ness associates for months had tried
to persuade him to give up his interests
in the league and devote his attention
to his bakery business.
There are several other financiers
identified with the Federal League. but
Ward has been the backbone OF the
organization, and his demise may prove
a serious blow to the future of the
venture.
Norris l.. ("Tip") o'Neill. president Of
the Western League. is in the city visit
ing his brother. Charles O'Neill. The
oil properties near Braddock, Pa. and
will inspect them after leaving here.
O'Neill took occasion to say that he
was still president. secretary and treas
he would continue to serve the league
until the end Of the 1916 season.
He has been the financial hacker of his
circuit for many years.
Spring training trips are to be mate
rally shortened by the major league
clubs next spring. The National League
teams were not allowed to report at
this rule will not be abrogated. It is
the general belief that the American
League will adopt similar legislation
at the annual meeting next month. and
that the change will meet with general
favor. The magnates are tired OF ex-
hibition games in small cities which
are played at a loss. They seem to
favor four weeks of hard work at the
camps to be followed by a bee line
trip back to their own grounds. Elk
penses must be curtailed.
It Is only a question Of a short time
when the New York American League
club will give official notice Of it's
site for its own ball park. The park,
1t is understood, will be built in the
borough Of Queens. Architects already
are drawing plans for the new plant.
which is to have seating capacity as
large as, If not larger than, Braves
Field in Boston.
The Yankee management has lease
on the Polo Grounds for next season,
but it will make every effort to open
its season on its own grounds. and
work on the park will be pushed with
this in view.
Barney Dreyfuss Of the Pittsburgh
club expects to make a lot Of changes
in his team before the next season
opens. Dreyfuss conferred with several
National League managers during the
recent world series, and he Is convinced
that he will be able to make some ad-
vantageous trades this winter.
II have reason to believe that there
will be an interesting announcement
or two forthcoming in the near future"
be that the negotiations will not be
closed much before the National League
meeting in December or not until that
meeting is in progress. There Is
before that time"
Asked whether these Negotiations"
had to do with additions to the Pirate
roster, Col. Barney replied:
"There win probably be some addi-
lions and some subtractions. too" in
dicating that whatever men are to go
to Pittsburgh will go via the trade
ever, as to the Identity of the men
sought or the positions filled by them.
1t is believed that one of the new
corners will be a catcher. and the guess
that new second baseman is being
sought would not. it is held, be much
out of the way. If hard-hitting third
ga ecker could be hooked there is more
than chance that Baird would go to
the bench.
IT am not ready yet" said the Bucco
magnate, ito discuss the question of
Clarkes successor. / have not. up to
this time. decided on the man: For the
time being I am taking matters easy
and am not worrying over next year 1t
will be a simple task to name la. -
ager and when the time comes I will
do so.'