Omaha daily bee., 1916-02-06
MANY MOGULS COME And GO
Sale of Boston Braves to Percy
Haughton Makes Fifth Change
of Owners in Decade
OTHER CLUBS CHANGE HANDS

Never in one winter have so many
major league clubs been sold as this one.
In the last two months the Cubs, Browns
and Braves have passedrinto the hands
Of new owners. while It is almost GER
tain that the Cleveland Americans wi /
be sold in a short time
While II has been represented that
major league owners require a fleet of
high-powered motor trucks to haul their
gains to the bank. IL is singular that
they should be so willing to part with
such a good thing.
The big mistake OF the Federal league
hackers who had the base ball bug was
to start an opposition league. They
could have saved money and worry by
picking out their club and buying il in
stead OF starting a war Look at the
experience of Charles Weeghman and
Phil Ball. Both lost a fortune in the
war and conceding defeat. they have
purchased base ball franchises in the
major leagues. which they could have
lone just as well three years ago.
In the last ten years the stock of al
most every major league base ball club
has either wholly or partl ychanged
hands. In several instances club has
been sold several times.
Look over the National league list aud
see the changes since the fail of 1905.
Philadelphia-Owned by large group
of small holders and then sold to M,ssrs.
McNichol. Wolfe and Durham. These
three men soon sold the club to Charles
Il. Taft and Charles w. Murphy. who
made Horace Fogel president. Later
Taft and Murphy sold the franchise to
syndicate headed by the late win
Locke. on his death the shares shifted
again, William H. Baker. vice president
under Locke. bought the widows hold
ings and is president today.
Boston Sold five times in ten years.
Al first owned by the pioneers. Soden.
Consnt and Billings. They sold the club
to George and John Dovev before the
season sof 1897 started. John +. Harris
and William II. Russell purchased the
team from them in 1910. In 1912 John
Ward and James Gsffney obtained con-
troll. Ward sold out his interest and
Gaffney. with Dobert Davis. became SUI
preme. Now Gaffnev and Davis sell the
franchise to Percy Haughton. Harvard
famous foot ball coach.
Ebbets' Sells stock.
Brooklyn-Charles Ebbets has held un
interrupted control. but in 1913 he had I,
sell big interest in the club to the Nc
keever brothers in order to finance tn
building OF Ebbets Field
New York-The Brush interests still
control the club, but there are a humble
Of stockholders interested and small
blocks OF stock have changed hands. On
the death OF John 7. Brush. Harry n
Hampstead. bis son-in-law. became presi
dent.
Chicago-'Ien years ago this ch.h wa
owned by James Hart and associates. bu
In the rail- of 1905 IL passed into the hand
of Charles +. Taft and Charles w. Muir
ply. The latter sold his holdings to Tai
two years ago. One OF the peace pac
terms was the sale of the Cubs to Charlie
Weeghman.
St. LOuis-The team has been IN contrc
OF the Robinson interests without inter
ruption. Frank DE Haas Robson wa
succeeded by his brother. Stanley Rob-
son. on his death. Stanley Robson ais
died. and now Schuyler p. Britton. hus
hand OF stanley Robison's niece. is pres
dent.
Dreyfuss Retains Control.
Pittsburgh-Barney Dreyfuss has ha
controlling interest ever since 1900.
Cinclnnati-August Hermann has m
tanned the presidency for more than te
years. but there has been constant trans
fer OF stock. The Fleischmanns recent
sold their large interest In the club.
In the American league there also hay
been changes. Connie Mack and N
shibes still control the Athletics. althoug
several seasons ago the late Frank Hong
! "a C.r,nal Topoa aoid their holdiuRa I
Mack.
There has been no changes in the Oh
cago or Cleveland ownership.
The Browns were Tecentlv sold. and VI
Boston club has seen several changes {
ownership. Frank Farrell sold the Ne
York club TO Messrs. Rupert and Hustol
and there have been minor changes
the Washington ownership.