New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-28
TWO CRISES IN
BASEBALL HALT
SALE OF CLUBS
Robins. Pirates and Cardl-
nails May Change Hands
Before Spring


Rcforc tho o7eninc or tho 1917 sea.
so, three OF tho National League
clubs m~y have changed ownership. ~
Ia, been learned from q very reliable
source that negotiation for 'n'
Dodgers. Pirates and Cardinals have
zone very much further than the pub
lie has been allowed TO know.
While Charles II. Ebbets maintains
that no definite offer has been MADE
for his handsome stadium and the
champion club Of the National League
ord furthermore. that he has not re-
ccdcd one lot or little from the orig p
nal valuation set when he appeared
moro DESTROYS Of getting out OF nsse
hoU than his present attitude Noul"
,,dirstc certain influence close io
fhc inside maintains that 200 ic in"'
three interests arc after toc Nouin''
Resides rival syndicate. james 20
Gafncy. former president oi in'
Brnvcs. and his associates 300 tns'
venture arc ready al any time TO TAX
straight business whenever Mr.. Eb-
bets cares.
Barney Dreyfuss. too, has set =
rather stiff valuation on his Pitts
bursh property. This. like the Eb-
bets estate Of Flstbush, Is situated
in a part Of the city whore real estate
value, have increased by leaps and
bounds. II organized bsseballs i'm
mediste future were guaranteed, u IL
said, neither Ebbets nor Dreyfuss
might secure a fancy price, even II
they did not realize their original
figures.
Demand Clear Coast
"Plenty Of desirable people OF sound
financial standing declares sn Official
q National League club, would be
willing to invest either in Brooklyn
or Pittsburgh II the coast were entire
ly clear.
"But they prefer 10 await develop
monts Of two possible crises the
strike threat Of tho players for pre-
sumed contract rights and the suit
Of the Baltimore FederslS against OF
ganized baseball. Both these points
should be cleared up definitely within
the next month or six weeks GER
tsinlv before the schedule meeting
II organized baseball wins. a. 81 is
almost sure to do, and the owners do
not take advantage OF the fact 90
raise the prices ] would not be a. ali
surprised 10 see Messrs. Ebbets and
Dreyfuss retire from the game I'd
risk a hat that a transfer OF the
Brooklyn property will be effected be-
fore the opening Of the next season"
o. II. Wathen, president Of the cham
pion Louisville club OF the American
Association, would purchase the St
Louis National League club from Mrs.
Helen Hathaway Britton If this lady
msgnate we're inclined TO sell at rea-
sonsble terms. Mrs. Britton, however,
has so far refused to listen 10 reason.
IL IL said the seven male club presi-
dents Of the National League have
urged her TO dispose Of the Cardinals
or institute d more liberal policy toward
rebuilding for mutual benefit.
Mr.. Wathen, It is understood, has
also sounded out Barney Dreyfuss on
the Pittsburgh franchise. He prefers
st. Louis 10 Smokeville as a base Of
major league operations, however, be
cause il is nearer his home and bust
ness. Wsthen is a wealthy distiller Of
Louisville, an old-fashioned magnate,
who loves the game for sports sake
and who gets more pleasure out Of the
success OF the club than from the
financial returns.
An Expensive Luxury
Wathen's Louisville pennant winner
is said TO have been an expensive luz
airy. but still he is one or the most en-
ihusiastic promoters TO be met with
anywhere. He believes Bill Clymer,
who led Louisville to victory, the last
word in generalship. For Clymer's
sake as much as for the sport of the
thing, o. II. Wathen Is now cunning
for major league franchise. He is
the type Of man not easily turned aside
once he puts his MIND or an object.
The National League could go 10 the
length Of the land and find no brighter
prospect for either St. Louis or Pitts
burgh.
Hal Chase, the versatile first base
man Of the Cincinnati Reds. who is
holidaying in New YORK, mad one Of his
most successful seasons In Cincinnati
last year. One would never suspect
from the agility he displayed that the
former Yankee was rounding out his
twelfth consecutive season in fast COM
pany.
The best judges OF play declare Chase
still the king Of first basemen. He Is
undoubtedly the brainiest player, de-
fensively. Of the generation, not for
getting either Johnny l1vers or Ty
Cobb. Sisler has nothing on Chase for
versatility. Tho Ugh left-handed. Chase
can play any position in The infeld or
outfcid with remarkable skill. He used
10 be a very clever southp,w. and more
than once has worn the windpad in col
Lore cameo