The Washington times., 1919-12-17

The startling statement almost took
the breath out of Mr.. Richardson, but
after looking into the shrewd, PIERCING
gray eyes of his caller. he nodded for
Mn TO continue.
ssIn this manner, Clark Griffith, man
aEer Of the Washington American
League oasebsif elnb. became ac-
Qasinsed With a new business partner.
He told how Ben Minor, then pfesi-
dent OF the club. was anxious to re-
tire and his stock was for sale He
PRODUCED figures, and when they were
fxhsasted handed out so6he NOSE fig-
ures
At the end. Mr.. Richardson. much
impressed by Grin-s monologue. said
he would xe to Washington, and take
. look He did, and then ordered
Griffith to get busy.
sMust Control CIub.-
want controlling interest in
tkA hall club he said Go ahead and
- all Of the stock you can lay your
Napds on. and when you have con
frAl-wnich means more than so per
osat--lst me know and will send
rou q check. But must have 4 con
trolling interest"
From that time Clark Griffith, the
silver Fox of the Diamond, kept on
tie Job. carried out instructions to the
letter. and last Saturday night an
noehced TO the world thar he had a
Rx{orfty OF the stock and a new
owner would Be in the Capital of our
nation. The news Games as big sur
xfs~. for IL was entirely unexpected
and everybody began to ask, who Is
shss guy richardson
The work had been done so quietly
and 10 few were In on the secret that
erea Mr.. richardson's closest friends
trd not have the renotest idea that
ne was the mysterious owner they
were reading about.
william NJ. Richardson was IN his
Office when called yesterday. He
was in his shirt sleeves. his desk was
uttered with piles OF correspondence
mostly ezblegrams--and he had
every appearance of an exceedingly
bsszy man. Being president of the
Phi sdslphia Export Company and
sol owner of Richardson Bros, COM
n Ion merchants. Is no soft job. But
the president and owner courteously
consented TO give US a few moments
of his time and answer all questions.
Dsesn't kasw IL Yet.
Yes he said. II suppose I am In
control OF the Washington American
League baseball club. although
have not been notified officially as
VET 1 told Clark Griffith 70 go out
and buy the club. and as soon as this
was done announce ie- in the news
papers. In a day or so expect to
hear all about IT."
Mr. Richardson paused to answer
a phone call in regard to wheat or
n
wcrds and showed by hts very action
hss vas a real business man. Then
n~ aeeiphered a couple Of cablegrams
and resumed the subject Of baseball.
~ want you TO understand" he con-
tlnued. that / am in baseball for
business purposes only. saw a
chance to make what I believe a good
investment and am regarding IL as
ssch.
II have no idea OF trying TO run
the playing end of the game Clark
Griffith will have charge OF that. but
viii say right here that he will be
given free rein and allowed TO go
the limit IN purchasing bail players.
The only way to make money Is to
put winning team oh ate fseld and
Gsikith has orders to go out and get
the men he desires.
VIII Make Game Popular.
ssHowever. I will be satisfied to go
along for three or four years and
break even. / do not expect quick
returns on the investment, but in time
] am sure il will be a valuabl
proposition. Baseball should be very
popular in Washington and I will do
all esn tomake il so.
The public must be considered first
last and all the time. The people who
go out TO see the games will not be
regarded as customers. but as guests
They will be courteously treated
there win be no advance in prices for
special occasions. and everything will
be made as pleasant as possible
But" please remember 1 am no,
going to Washington to tell them how
70 run their business. II can sux-
gest anything I shall be happy to do
90. and shall be there only as a bnsi-
ness advisor
Perhaps YOU think IL strange that
] should tell Mr. Griffith to buy the
stock and attend to all OF the details
instead OF doing II. myself. Well that