New-York tribune., 1920-02-23
Yank Owners
Say They Will
Stick Together
Their Present Plans Call for
Building New Park and
Also Strengthening Team
By W. ]. Macbeth

Despite varied rumors to the con-
trary that have been floating about
town ever since the settlement OF the
American League fight, neither Of the
battling colonels-Jacob Rupert and
Til Huston-has the slightest idea Of
selling his interest in the New York
American League Baseball Club. The
fight which these reformers waged
against Ban Johnson and the loyal
Ave club owners at Chicago has ce-
mented friendship and business re-
lationship so closely that mutual as
surances have been passed that the
"two musketeers" will stand or fall
together; one for all and all for one.
Stories to the effect that there was
variance between the partners and that
Colonel Rupert was breaking away
from his baseball business associate
and leaning toward the supporters Of
Ban Johnson first appeared in what
the colonels allege to be propaganda
published in certain Middle Western
papers in interviews by interested
Middle Western owners. That at
tsmpts have been made by the most
rabid supporters Of johnson to split
out ths owners Of the Yankees neither
Of the battling colonels would deny
yesterday. 1t was even admitted that
more than one offer had been made for
the local American League franchise
since the annual meeting in this city
last December.
Intend to Remain
But that the two colonels intend to
remain in baseball indefinitely, to go
the extent of expending more than
an additional million for new park
in promotion which so far represents
only a gigantic loss, was made clear
yesterday by the two equal owners,
on the eve of the departure Of Colonel
T. L. Huston for the Dover Hall Club.
"After the Chicago meeting. said
hostile sentiment of Ban Johnson's
loyal legion toward me. They took no
pains to conceal this nor to intimate
that if l were to retire from the
Yankees the business opportunities of
Colonel Rupert would be smoothed.
Because Of this attitude l approached
Colonel Rupert frankly.
stand In the way of your business sue
cess. If you feel you could do better
as the sole owner of the Yankees am
willing to sell my stock to you at rea-
sonable figure and at terms that would
impose no inconvenience whatever.
Under these circumst stances / will sell
to you. But will sell to no one else.
Not for a million dollars. Is not that
what told you, Colonel Rupert"
eyes, it is true admitted Mr.. Rup-
pert. And what did I say in answer?
baseball business together. We will
sink or swim together. If there is any
retiring to be done we will retire to-
Rether. If any sale is to be conducted
it must not be negotiated other than by
you. And if you should arrange to sell
your stock please remember to dispose
Of mine at the same time
"That is what l answered Huston"
declared Rupert. while his business
partner nodded assent.
Together Five Years
eve have been associated in busi-
ness for five years, and there never
has been one serious hitch. We have
never been anything but the best Of
friends. 1t is true we have had diff
ferences of opinions as to policy now
not been thrashed out in a business
like way to mutual understanding.
Colonel Huston as a baseball part
ner Is good enough for me. never
could find so good again, let alone an
equal. And l have no desire to own
baseball club all by myself. I have
not the time to devote to it, to begin
with. But as to any one ever coming
between Huston and myself such
doA
just. You cannot deny them too en-
phatically.
II know Colonel Huston intends to
remain in baseball. He would sell to
nobody but me. am not going to
buy. So you may rest assured we will
both remain. We have not yet real
lied anything on our investment. But
we are not discouraged. We intend to
give our we'll wishers of New York IN
worlds title holder to boot.
II do not mean by that any predict.
Ing for the coming season, but do
mean we are prepared to expend the
money for new park Of our own II
need be. and for whatever other play.
ers are necessary to assure q cham.
pionship club. We never once dur.
ing the recent fight entertained the
quitting under fire. And since the set
tlement we are more than ever deter
mined to vindicate our stand to the
supporting New York public by eivins
1t the very best possible entertainment
organized baseball Is able to provide.
These statements of Colonels Rup
pert and Huston should set aside 70,
all time the insinuations and innuen
dos that the president of the club was
not heartily in accord with ever,
aggressive move taken to checkmate
alleged autocracy in the administra
tion OF the American League.
Colonel T. L. Huston and severa
baseball writer's left for the South YES
Seroay afternoon, the vanguard of the
Yankee forces to mobilize within 9
week for spring training at Jackson
VILE, Fla. The party will spend q weel
at the Dover Hall Club. They are to be
net net there by Business Manager Harry
sparrow; who has been recuperating Al
Miami, Fla. Wilbert Robinson. man
ager OF the Brooklyn Dodgers. was t,
JOIN the party en- route at Baltimore
number Of the New York an.
nrSoklyn players will sail for Jackson
wlie next Thursday. The balance a
ocsn sesms who reside in the Caster,
states will leave from New York -
interly!ng stations Saturday nsx+ y y
that all will be ready for the stsr+ . .
ine framing season ono week from ia
~. The Giants will leave for sa