Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1919-02-26
WARS RUINATI0N
OF BIG AMBITION
Federal League and Foreign
Struggles Put Game
Sportsman Out
SINKS $4,000 IN DENVER
Lincoln Loss $4,000; Sells to
Tulsa Combination
for $4,000.
SINKS $4,000 IN DENVER
BY CHARLES ]. BRILL.

opumists,' to quote Hughey Jones,
who last Saturday turned over TO
Spencer Abbott and Jim Crawford
his Western league franchise; and
measured by his own tape Jones Is
about the gnmest loser among these
optimistic folk.
When man can pay $4,000 for
a franchise, refuse a sale ut a gain OF
5000 six hours later, sink $4,000
more In operating expenses, sell out
for $4,000 and then pocket his
change with joke and a smile
he certainly Is entitled to n crown
~ true sportsman. That is what
happened to Jones. and his departure
from the roll OF It's dlrectora the
Western league lost a most refresh
ing character.
Jones always has been more or
less OF sportsman. but II took base
ball 10 make him takc genuine
plunge. He started his career I'm
Lincoln seven years ago. At the end
Of four seasons no discovered that
he was $4,000 In the red because OF
his diamond indulgences. Had II not
been for the Federal league war he
figured ho would have been all
right. and when. the outlaws having
capitulated. he was offered the Dem
/ vcr franchise he thought the time
Nhad come for him to recoup his,
losses and build himself n handsome
profit. Back in 1910 Jimmie Nc
Gill's grizzlies had played to I7b,0Oo
people. The Denver attendance In
1871 was ITS. 900 and Jones thought
the settlement OF the Federal league
difficulties would bring big boom
for organized baseball Therefore he
made a quick grab when McGill set
price OF $4,000 on the Denver
franchise.
Refuses Good Offer.
Six hours after the papers had
been signed and McGill had pocketed
his $4,000, along came "A Chicago
man who wanted TO purchase the
club. lie Offered Jones $4,000.
which would have meant a profit OF
1900 an hour for the six hours
he had owned the club. but Jonos
laughngly refused the offer,
IT would take SAC, 900 to get IT,"
) he said, and down I'm his heart he
really doubted whether he would
part with his new property even for
that amount A baseball boom was.
certainty, he thought, and a boom
ought to send his attendance figures
close to the 100000 mark, all of
which would have meant a handsome
intake.
Boom Fails.
But the boom failed to mate1alize
In 1916 as he and everyone else had
expected. Instead there was a con-
tnued slump because of the Euro
pean conflict and he played 70 less
than 100000 persons. In 1917, with
fNDenfSass RI tto
him 5000 year for rental and up
keep, he drew only $4,000. Court
Ing his original investment he was
$4,000 In the hole on Denver. which
with his $4,000 deficit at Lincoln
made him $4,000 loser on his six
years OF baseball
When the United States declared
war, Jones was one OF the first to
counsel closing up until after hos
ullties had ceased, but the. "optim-
isis' insisted on starting me 1918
season. Not being able 10 start too.
he turned his franchise over to the
league and told the directors to do
The best they could with IL. So the
directors turned 1t over 10 Spencer
Abbott to- be operated at Topeka.
Topeka fizzled and II was moved 20
Hutchinson. Then the whole league
blew" about tho middle OF the
season.
This was tho situation when spen-
Ger Abbott came 10 Tulsa few
months ago and started Western
league boom here. He had been as
sured by the directors OF the league
that no would be protected In case
no made a settlement with Jones.
Proves Real Sportsman.
In spite OF the fact that he beS
hevcd baseball was coming back for
us greatest era, Jones made no ef-
Tort 10 tear down the playhouse Alb
bott had been able to buAdL-here in
IulsL Ipstead OF using the stick
em-up" tactics employed by many
or his associates, Jones displayed the |
true sportsman's spirit by agreeing
20 settle for $4,000. And this $4,000 !
covers not only tho transfer OF the !
franchise and all payers belonging
70 tho Hutchinson club last season,
but some 1000 cushions and more |
than 500 opera chatJs which will Ne |
used in Tulsa's new park.
! hate to quit the game now"
ne told Abbott In the lobby OF the !
hobidoux hotel last Saturday AZ he !
accepted the check and shook hands, /
Tor | believe II Is going to see It's
Greatest proJpe erity now. but l don't !
want 10 stand in anybody's road. | !
ucieve you've got the livest city In !
'hc league and ! think Tulsa will find |
you The right kind OF a man 10 head I
baseball Good luck to you Ab and /,
utic's hoping you win many a pen /
Hdnl and make 100000