Evening star., 1946-05-20

age of 8, settling in Pittsburgh.
He was elected to the House of
Representatives in 1908 and two
years later won nomination on the
Republican ticket for Governor.
Although his administration as
Governor was noteworthy, he was
more widely known through base
ball. He had a baseball in his hands
at the age of and throughout his
life was keenly interested in the
sport.
Pitched Two Seasons for Cubs.
He pitched two seasons for the
Chicago Cubs and then retired only
because lit never occurred to me to
make baseball career"
Once, when three traction bills
had been put through the Legisla-
ture and awaited his signature, an
overjoyed lawyer said:
This will be monument to your
career"
The Governor replied:
Man, what are you saying? I
shut out the Giants"
AS Governor, he supported early
agitation for an improved road
system.
More than $500 miles of roads
were taken over by the State in his
administration.
He was chosen president of the
National League in 1913-with the
understanding he be permitted to
serve out the remaining Is months
Of his governorship.
He ruled the circuit through one
four-year contract and part of an
other, accepting no salary while
serving as Governor He resigned
after a player squabble between the
Philadelphia Americans and the
Boston Nationals. Philadelphia re-
fused to abide by decision of the
National Commission, on which he
represented the National League,
awarding pitcher, Scott Perry,
to Boston.
Called Commission Lopsided.
He spoke of the commission as "a
1op-sided arrangement" 1t was
made up Of the two league presi-
dents and a club owner from one
loop. When he stepped cut of of
flee, his secretary, John Heydler,
took over.
He attributed his success to be-
Ing able to say "yes."
I'VE had Congressman" he re-
called on his s79th birthday, who
friends thought had been in Office
long enough. They thought he
could be beaten and asked me to
oppose him. I said yes 1 was
asked to try my hand as a profess
sional baseball player. I said yes
They asked me to be the president
of baseball league. I said yes
1t was always that way"
He was born in County Tyrone,
Ireland, in 1868, one of 10 children.
His family migrated to America and
settled in Pittsburgh. At the age
OF 9 he was left an orphan.
Made Trip Around World.
He attended public schools and
later took business college course.
He then worked for an iron and
steel manufacturer. In spare time
he was on the baseball field. Friends
persuaded him to try professional
ball and he played in the old New
England League in 1885.
His ability caught the fancy of
Adrian c. Pop Anson, who signed
him in 1888 to play with the Chicago
Nationals.
In 1889 he was member of the
A. G. Spalding team which made
the first baseball trip around the
world.
In 1890 he entered business in
Charleroi, Pa, and worked up from
cashier to president of a bank,
founded bridge company and Or
ganized a trust company.
In 1918 he went back to his bank
there after closing his political
career.
Mr.. Tener also was grand exalted
ruler of the Benevolent Protective
Order of Elks and held the Office
five years. AS head of the Elks he
ordered members to stop wearing
elks' teeth as lodge symbols, de-
claring the practice "an extermina-
ton bounty on elks"
His first wife, the former Harriet
Day of Haverhill, Mass, died jan
uary 81, 1885. A year later he
married Miss Leone Evans, Cah-
leroi milliner 25 years his junior
Che died of aStbp,o q yoor lotar