Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-10-23
THE BASEBALL
BEAT
Gobe Murphy Front and Center
BY SUTTON HAWKINS


Murphy The insurance executive in excess OF 40
per centof the Washington Baseball Club representing
stable investment, from which not dime extracted
1t has been nine months since refused reelection
to the clubs board of directors vacated the OOa
year position as treasurer
1t was believed in circles at the time Murphy
severed his official capacity with the ball club that he
would sell his stock at substantial profit and retire The
man has been quiet long time and sensible to
aim few questions In his direction Here the result
How long can you retain investment involving so
much money, with no income in sght?"
That presents no problem" Gabe responded I'm
continue to be buyer, not seller"
There's widely circulated rumor that YOU are trying
to buy more stock in the club. Is that true?"
Yes. My representatives have notified banks. execu-
tors and coexecuors of desire purchase additional
stock"
your"
over year and half ago stated would buy their
stock in one minute That still stands"
Have you recently made direct offer to buy control?"
Il cannot confirm deny that at this time"
4 understand you attended only the opening game
and one or two other early In the year Grth
Stadium. How about t?"
That's correct
-As baseball fan and an owner Of more than 40 per
cent Of the Senators stock why wouldn't you interested
in attending more games?"
IT have q sensitive stomach"
What are your observations the Washington clubs
season?"
They're unprintable"
do you believe there has been any improvement along
any line?"
Yes. understand we bought new automobile that
what about n2 Was that for anybodys personal
use?"
II wouldn't know The treasurer viii be given a full
opportunity to explain that at the annual stockholders
meeting"
you HAVE BEEN SEEN comforting with major
league executives at the Astar Game and at the World
Series. Why?"
ITO investigate all phases concerning the proper
methods Of operating major league club and so
that would be better informed by the knowedg
able baseball executives"
IF the controlling interest of the stock was to change
hands, what would you recommend"
MANY changes the most important Of which would be
the acquisition Of competent baseball executive Of
proven ability to direct player procurement both the
parent and farm club operations"
your auditors made check on the clubs operation
last year. Do you plan another check7"
Certainly"
HOW DO YOU FEEL about recent consideration Of
offers to transfer the franchise?"
Naturally have given great thought these puzzng
Griffith and Robertson forces Over year ago stated
am shocked and saddened to learn that those who
ceeded to Mr. Clark Grths position would try to erase
his efforts 50 days after the Washington baseball FANS
under the sponsorship of the Home Plate Club erected
monument to his memory Now, five days after the
funeral Of the widow OF the beloved Clark Griffith was
stunned to read that the sefaunchng orbit would even
y
record OF failure and Illustration understandable why
certain stockholders would like to strip this corporation
Of its assets and seek the anticipated dollar greener
valleys or the great open spaces"
What about attendance here?"
1T has been surprisingly good in of the fact that
under present management for the last two years have
had the worst record in the majors On occasion attention
has been called to the fact that game only drew 957
people and that the smallest crowd OF the year in
the majors What remarkable than the fact that
only s5 people showed up is the fact that 9S7 people
bothered to come With such record 1t evident that
the Senators have had little bit Of everything except
progress The one thing they have managed to avoid
improvement realize the team hasn't won pennant
for "A years and for the past II years finished the
second division. guess we could be called second
division regulars"
"one final question II you asked 10 serve on
the board again in 1858 would you acceptp"
mo, thank you When the president Of a corporation
and the corporations lawyer vote against upto-dae
auditing system very pleased be identified with
them."
y 81