Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-06-05
New York Sees
Little Hope Of
Staying in nj

NEW YORK. June S (R.-The
outlook appeared DINNER than
ever today for keeping the
Dodgers and Giants in New York.
Mayor Robert Wagner's her
aided Showdown" meeting with
Walter O'Malley, Dodgers presi-
dent. and Horace Stoneham.
owner of the Giants. at City Hall
yesterday gave rise to one belief:
Unless the city fathers produce
suitable new park sites before
October l. the Dodgers will move
to Los Angeles and the Giants
to San Francisco.
Adding to the local gloom, there
appeared no immediate prospect
for new sites for the clubs. The
Mayor poured cold water on any
thought that the city might build
or subsidiSe park for either
club when he stated:
"OMalley and Stoneham have
assured us they have made no
commitments to move to the
West Coast. Therefore, we will
continue to do everything with
in reason to try to keep them in
New York. Under no circum-
stances, however, will the city
build a stadium for either the
Giants or Dodgers.
Refuse Any Guarantees
The city's chief executive also
told a press gathering that
neither O'Malley or Stoneham
had made any commitments to
stay In New York.
The two club heads refused to
give the city any guarantees.
OMalley. in fact, expressed ex-
IRENE pessimism and said he
would continue to negotiate with
Los Angeles oficials while the
New York higher-ups are trying
to make up their minds.
II have always wanted to stay
in Brooklyn" he said. II had
hoped we could invest our money
to build a ball park in Brooklyn
in a fine modern stadium that
will give the fans the comfort
they deserve. But so far we have
received no encouraging word re-
garding a suitable site.
II have been trying to get a
new ball park for 10 years. /
have been very patient. But my
patience is wearing thin. Need
less to say, ! am greatly discour-
aged"
Dodger Offer Withdrawn
OMalley recalled that he Of
fered to put up IS million toward
construction of a ball park and
pay 100000 a year rental and
added:
I'VE made that offer last jan
uary. and it shows how sincere
we were about staying here.
Mind you. at no time did we ask
the city to build US a park. We
wanted to build it ourselves
with our own money.
The $500, 900 rental figure was
ridiculous offer. It is more
than the rental Of all other seven
National League clubs combined
Now the offer has been with
drawn. The offer is a thing of
the past. You can't make any
kind Of an offer against nothing.
Until there is something definite,
we can make no promise to any,
body"
Despite the dim outlook. the
Mayor refused to become peSsi-
mistic. Asked whether it did
not seem apparent to him that
New York had lost both the
Dodgers and Giants. he replied
I'm always an optimist. IN
til We receive definite word that
both clubs will leave wen con-
tinue to do our utmost to keep
them here.
Parking Problem Tackled
"Stoneham has advised me
that one Of his major problems
/ is parking. We promised him
we will try to work something
out to alleviate that problem
and, failing in this. sit down
with him to seek a new site for
the Giants az no expense
to the taxpayer. however"
Wagner said the Brooklyn
Sports Center Authority would
continue its study of the FEAST
bility Of constructing a stadium
and sports center at Flatbush
and Atlantic avenues, in the
heart Of Brooklyn.
\ Charles Mylord. chairman OF
the committee" Wagner said
has indicated It would require
at least six weeks before a re-
port could be completed. We
will know then how much finan.
cial an dengineering problem,
will be involved. Then we will
discuss the matter again with
OMalley and see what can bt
worked out"