Evening star., 1958-02-03
THE BASEBALL
BEAT
A Most Tranquil Affair
BY BURTON HAWKINS

1T WAS COOL air being piped into Swetering room,
shaft of sunlight penetrating dungeon and antiseptc
being applied tenderly to nasty cash when Attorney
Leo DeOrsey invited newsmen to park their posterors
in the midst of the annual stockholders meeting of the
Washington Baseball Club last Friday. s
As brany maneuver it ranked right along with
Sam Bakers fake field goal and subsequent for
touchdown in the Redskins triumph the Steelers
1t had the element of surprise 1t said to reporters in
effect There's nothing to hide but in you think
there iS-well, you're here Make the most of it."
1t was advertised as potential snarlng scene, since
the Griffith group aligned against H. Gabriel Murphy,
who only two days previously had made spectacular
bid of $S7570 or $605 share for the 2274 shares in
the estate of the late Mrs. Clark Griffith 1t seemed
harsh words would be exchanged freely.
But tranquility the keynote The demands Of
Murphy attorneys seemed strictly in keeping with the
interests of 40 per cent sockholder They want to
examine spring training and accounts receivable
for the past two years. the extent of employees insurance
list of stockholders salaries expenses and bonuses
minutes the board of directors meeting and other
data of financial and legal nature
There may be items which could disturb MurphyS
men, requiring further explanation, but pending
hausve studies of the internal workings of the Senators
it appears there's little in the business end of the ball
club which would interest fan.
THERE WAS REVIVED talk of an $1,000 shortage,
discrepancy, during look at the books in 1856, but
this eventually may prove to be difference of book
keeping systems between departments nationally known
auditing firm has revised the setup and OSsie Bluege,
installed comptroller to help dig the Senators of
their financial mess said 81 finally daylight,
but if had to go through it again wouldn't accept
the position"
It was revealed too that Ralph Baker, Harvard law
professor and Attorney John Powell representing the
Senator's of the opinion the club transfer the
franchise without obtaining the approval of stockholders
This is in conflict with the opinions of Murphys lawyers
but Griffith assured the gathering after this subject was
explored briefly that the team will remain here.
Could be the Murphy faction will try to look into a
transfer of shares within the Griffith voting trust and
that they have dozens of unrevealed they'll be
making in future months but meanwhile there's little for
fans to get excited about.
The meeting became downright friendly at one point
when Sherry Robertson reporting his farm system
operation Murphy inquired about the pitching potential
OF my friend Johnny ScalziS boy" and was informed
there's hope The elder Scazi crack quarterback
at Georgetown University when Murphy athletic d
rector there in the early 1905.
Sherry disclosed that he plans to add two more farm
clubs hopes to boost the number of players under control
from 220 to 800 and will employ four scouts, in
Guiding Rolie Hemsey former major league catcher.
1888
THERE WAS THE revelation that three-man COM
mtee extracted from the board is delving into the
advisablity of employing general manager. Grfith,
long opposed to the idea, is the committee and II
favorable report maeriazes it will shock.
To unaccustomed observer Of business in action
the meeting seemed to prove that control of corpora
tion is the equivalent Of stacking steamroler against
the minorys fragile defenses Sitting board Of
four members who possess in their
combined 144 shares of stock. Murphy who has 7463
shares in his name, was unrepresented.
This could be filed under the heading Of TOO bad"
perhaps Tch tch" for all the sympathy he'll get iron
those in command The situation isn't likely to be altered
If they can prevent 1t.
But Murphy admittedly made a pitch for control
before the meeting and it would ridiculous to
he is abandoning his idea. There may be many moves
remaining in this chess game but what they will be
wasn't disclosed by what tranpred at the stockholders
kmeeting. III
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