Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-07-30
WIN, LOSE OR
IDRAW J, FRANCE, SIAM
He Speaks His Mind

c. LEO DE ORSEY, who unfrocked himself as director
of the Washington Baseball Club may or may not be the
publicity hound" that some American League club owners
have claimed but he speaks his mind.
Il may not know much about baseball" De Orsey told
the Senate Antitrust and Monopoly Subcommittee, but
Fordl Frck doesn't know too much about it, either"
AndNt was on that theme-anti-Frick antipay Tv and
antcub owners-that De orsey testified.
The bill exempting baseball football basketball and
hockey from antitrust laws is "a private bill for i6 club
owners Nobody else benefits Radio and TV murder
ing the minor leagues which should have pension plan
Of their own" he continued.
De osey is not in favor of big league clubs owning
hundreds Of players Before the club owners clipped
Judge Lands wings" Leo told Senator's Kefauver and
oahoney "he counted up to 40 and that was all the
players club could own"
How" asked Senator Kefauver, did the owners clip
Judge Lands wings?"
oh don't know" De orsey shrugged. "subterfuge"
AFTER so MUCH MEALY-MoUTH and vague testi-
mony De orsey came change Of pace He hacked at
the waiver gmmck. for instance.
Let's say that Washington wants to get rid of
De Orsey" he posed Hes put the waiver list and
Cleveland claims him. Washington withdraws DeOrsey's
you do that twice. Them mysteriousy, he's
put the list again and Cleveland doesn't claim him. and
De Orsey is sent to the minors That's subterfuge"'
Leo, who owns five shares Of stock in his own name
and who bought and controls" five shares for each of
two grandchildren asked by Senator Kefauver how
he happened to be named to the Washington clubs board
of directors in the first place
"The Griffiths put me the board" De orsey
planned Il only own control that is is shares out Of
1895, But, they put me on the board"
SURE IT'S TRUE Eyes, indeedy" we're his words
that De Orsey requested the directors to study
to another city But never voted to move the franchise
he stated.
would you move from Washington" a subcommittee
member asked
Eyes," Leo said, if he explored the money-making
possibilities and foolproof way of increasing
Senator oMahoney" De Orsey said IL would vote along
business lines not civic lines Baseball is business big
business"
1t is run by IS club owners Leo suggested and Com
missioner Prick is a stooge OF sort Well, If not sooge,
precisely, pigeon.
sHe should have authority or get out" De orsey
charged He seems to have no power over the owners"
DE oRsEY, A TAX LAWYER who represents Arthur
Godfrey and few others who make scale wage is
no fan Of Commissioner Frick Among his reasons for
resgnlng was ito be able to speak my mind"
while was in Florida in 1857" De orsey testified,
"a newspaper reporter asked me baseball sport
business and said that it Just like football and the
other team sportsa business Two days later caught
it from Prick He accused me Of trying to speak for base
ball II can't exercise freedom Of speech want posi-
ton on any ball clubs board of directors
Prick says here that big league club restrain
their TV networks Leo went waving feature story
from Canadian newspaper HE says that only six
clubs have network Tv. know that IL clubs telecast-
and because we washington filled in once as substitute
How is it that Washington isn't teecast on a net
work." came question.
I'VE don't create enough interest" De orsey candidy
replied.
ODDLY, IT MAY SEEM TO SOME, Leo defends Calvin
Griffith "He inherited rundown ball club" De Orsey
pointed out He's made some improvements but not
enough Don't blame everything on Calvin :"
Rand Dixon chief counsel for the subcommittee probed
into the matter OF the Washington Baseball Clubs stock
value.
Il understand that Mr.. (Gabe) Murphy appraised
share OF stock at $685. Would you consider that fair
estimate"
That would make the Washington franchise worth
$llh Million" De Orsey countered
would you sell Mr.. Murphy your Is shares at $6O5
apiece?" came the next question.
Il win not only sell Mr.. Murphy my stock at that
price" Leo rstorted, but will deliver the shares in
person don't think Mr.. Murphy is making the about
effort that he a per cent stakeholder, says he's
making to the newspapermen
Murphy csn buy more shares If he really wants them
at $685. Whether he get all he wants don't know
but legal adviser I've told the Grifhs not to sell only
the controlling interest Otherwise they'd be like Murphy
is now-bg stockholders but not controlling"
II sounds more and more II the Senate viii table
II not deny antitrust exemption. And more and more
As the Griffths intend to peddle their wares else
where. And did somebody say, who cares?"