Evening Star Newspaper, March 12, 1898, Page 20

CLUB GOSSIP. ‘The fine weather cf the past week or ten days is regarded by many as too good to lest, at least for this season of the year. The conjecture of the weather for tomor- row places the conditions as cool and rain, scmething like April weather. The weath- €r for riding during the evening in the fcre part of the past week was as good as uring the day. The full moon last Tues- day illuminated the roads almost as well as the sun, though with a mellow and gentle light. All indications point to the coming of spring. The opening of the weather and the appearance of flowers are not the only precursors. The days are getting longer, there being just seventeen mcre minutes of daylight tomorrow than there was last Sunday, and next week a corresponding increase will be shown over temorrow. The club captains are getting ready for active work, and already some of the clubs have inaugurated the all-day runs, though up to the present time the roads have not been in the best of condition. Capital Bicycle Club. About twenty-five of the C. Bi. C. wheel- ing members took a spin up the Conduit road Sunday. Tne surface of that popu. lar thoroughfare was found in unusually bad condition, owing to an abundance cf hard and soft spots—the one being repre- sented by long stretches of new material, the other by patches of mud. Beyond Cabin John the outlook was not one of and but few ventured beyond the Elbow to continue the run to the Angles’ Club House. During the past week a very interesting. display of photographs has been exhibited in the club parlors. About 150 large pho- tographs were gxhibited, being the happy creations of one of the club members, Mr. Dinwiddie, who is official photographic artist to the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. The many visitors included nearly all of Washington’s best known amateur photog- repkers. All gave voice and sentiment :0 the excellence of the entire collection and the highest praise to the general artistic effect and photographic detail of each in- dividual picture. It is not generaily krown the club has a well-equipped pho- tcgraph gallery and two dark rooms on the premises for the use of the many°mem- bers who “push the button.” The club meeting will be held this eve ing and several new members will be elect- ed. On the 18th instant the lady friends of the club will tender a butterfly tea to the club members. Century Cycle Club. The Centurions started on a run last Sun- Gay for Surrattsville, Md., but only su ceeded in reaching Suitiand Park. The roads were in such an impassable condi- tion that the boys decided to make a short stop-over and ¢ return to the city. Among those in line, under Capt. Byrne: command, were Chandlee, Chadwick, Volk- mar, Barghausen, Fister, Kauffm: the Dimmick brothers, Hadger, Stevenson, Reed, Barnhartt, Williams, Griffith, Den- ny and William O'Connor, Galeski, Abell and Sparrow. S al fine photographs were taken by the photographers, V and Chandlee, during the stay at the The “tandem team,” Byrnes and Fister, with the “Terrible Swede” following, were also snapped while going at a 2:30 gait. The start for home was made about 11 o after an enjoyable time, and a clipping “ot pace” was kept up until the city was reached. John Barghausen caught the onl; rail In the road, and the cry “puncture’ s quickly passed along the line. The ure was soon repaired and the pace ed. yahe club run tomorrow will be to Ashton, Md., 1 Capt. Byrnes. Commencing with ‘tomor- row's run, Capt. Byrnes will keep a record of the runs made by members during the year 18U8. At the end of the year the mem- ber of the club making the largest “pe of the club will be handsomely rewarded. The club will also present every member with a gold bar for each century ridden during the year. The regulur monthly meeting of the club was held Monday evening last, with an at- tendance of thirty-five members. A new set of by-laws was unanimously adopted. They provided for the election of a board of nine members and the : pointment of a second and third lieutenant. The membership limit was raised to seven- ty-five, and the assessment of dues, to be paid monthly, was also provided for. The article relating to century riding was revi ed to conform with the rules of the Centu Road Club of America. Robert Small a Frank J. Wissner were elected honorary members. The following were elected a tive members: R. 5. Dimmick, Clarence Kessler, P. Gooding, € ter, E. V. Douglass, n Boeckmann and R. V The following officers we dent, Charles H. Coons; vice Faber Stevenson; secretary, Howard Fi surer, Robert C. Williams; captain, ¥v s. nes. All of the above were re-el « vice president. in Byrnes named William C. O’Con- Fred Volkman and Horace L. first. second and third lieuten- pectively. sident then announced the follow- commit Executive, Charl ns, chairman; Tom J. Reed, Fr Volkman, r Stevenson and R. C. liams; membership, James M. McAnally, chairman; J. A ski and Al B. Griffith. The board of governors chosen c of W. C. O'Connor, J. M. McAnally, R. €. ms, L. F. Abell, Samuel Barnhartt. Barghausen, H. C. Chandlee, Faber Stevenson and 8. P. Dodd. The boys will all be on hand to “root” for the basket ball team, which is sched- uled to line up against Company C, Ist Bat- talion, at the Washington Light Infantry Hall. The boys are regular attendants at these games, and can be heard “rooting” for their favorite team whenever a game {3 played. Arlington Wheelmen, Notwithstanding the miserable condition of the roads, Messrs. E. Terry, F. Loeffler, C. Loeffler, E. Bell, G. Mitchell, W. Ron- savills, A. H. Davison, Wurdeman, J. Dunn, E. T. Uts, ©. Mayer, John and Harry Walker, F. Potts, W. Clark and W. sler of the Arlington Wheelmen started morning to make the run to Brandywine, Md., and all of he riders reached their destination except the five last named. One of the wheels was bled on the trip, and when Brandywine was reached the boys took the machine to a nearby blacksmith shop, where Vice Pres- ident Terry clearly demonstrated that he knew a thing or two in the blacksmith line. ‘The bors remained at Mr. Smith's hospita- ble home about three hours. ,On the return trip comparatively good time was made, although it was necessary to call occasional stops for A. H. Davison to have an opportunity to breathe, he being almost incapacitated by the nine glasses of milk he drank at dinner. The condition ef the roads had slightly improved and not as many difficuliies were encountered as on the “outgoing” trip. It Is a source of much gratification to the officers and members to note that many of the club's oldest riders—members who do not generally attend runs—are becoming enthusiastic, and are frequently seen on the ciub runs. The runs this season have been largely attended—due, of course, to the Jarge membership, the gold medal to be awarded the member attending the largest number of runs this season, and the fact that the older members are taking consid- erable interest in the affairs of the club d can be szen out with the boys on good unday mornings. The amusement committee has decided to secure a large hall, in which will be heid the next regular meeting, to be immediate- ly followed by the smoker. Several good numbers have already been selected for the fa cong which will be a long and interest- ing one. is early to predict who will be the re- aving the club house at 9:30, under | men were organiz: W. G. LeCompte. cipient of the gold medal; it is safe to say, however, that many of the members are clesely watching the scores of their nearest compstitors and will give them a close race. As each week passes by the coniest be- comes more and more interesting. Captain Murphy will call a short morning Np lity toward 1 Sold Home— dinne e start and arc returning in time for will be from 14th and New York avenue at 1 o'clock. The captain wiil, for a while, alternate the runs, having first an all-day run and then a short morning run. Acme Cycle and Social Club. Although Captain Watts of the Acme Cy- cle and Social Club did not last Sunday, the boys were and a delightful trip made up the Conduit read as far as the first bend after passing Cebin John bridge. One of the riders took a header, but escaped without a scratch. A feature of these s is the way in which the captain is drilling the boys for read riding, just as if {t were a soldier in Single and double file, making nees for accident in passing ob- stacles en the road. The regular meeting of the club w Ss call- idence of Mr. Clifton Ash, No. t, last Tu ng, and eular form of s transact- The largest attendance s ciub as seen at this meeting, to say was far above the © apy ion of Mr. John ere as submitted to the club at this mee and could not be acted on, taken for other business. Another meeting will be held at the dence of Mr. Arthur L. Grimes, No. owing to resi- 08 O Street, Tuesday evening, as ihe committee on club quarters were unable to submit a favorable place Owing to the success of the two previous runs Captain Watts has decided to call a run to Great Falls for tomorro' The boys will then proceed to the Virginia side, where dinner be served. This run is 1 to start a ) o'clock, and any one desiring to accompany the ciub will meet at 32d and M streets, where the start will be made. Levant Wheelmen. The new Cflicers of the Levant Wheelmen have taken charge of the affairs of the club in a manner which piainly shows they are capable of obtaining the best possible re- sults, and there is not a doubt in the mind of any member but that the Levants will be a successful club this season. Applications are continually coming in. The constitutional membership limit is fifty, which is about reached, and is giving the officers some concern, as it is a question with them whether or not it would be ad- visable ts raise the limit. Capt. Norris had the boys out for a little spin last Surday, but as the roads were in such dreadful condition they had to con- fine their run mostly to concrete pavemen. M . Hichew and Mai lic are taking a twenty-mile spin every afiernoon the weather Is favorable. One year ago tonight the Levant Wheel- and all the membe: anniversary in an ap- tonight at the club will celebrate Fropriate recms. The club will take a cross country run tomorrow, starting at 9:30 a.m. from the club house. SOME CYCLE CHAT thi: manner ‘The proposed twenty-five-mile match race between Moran of tais city and LeCompte of Baltimore, which was originally ar- ranged for May 30, has caused similar events among amateur riders to be ar- ranged. ‘The one which iias assumed the most prominence is the race which it is Proposed between Lee Counselman and E. L. Wilson or Gecrge E. Smith, all well- known local riders. ‘Ine event is scheduled fer some time about May 7, provided the new track at the International’ Athletic Park can be put In readiness by that time. The distarce of the race is also in doubt, but it is understood that it will be twenty miles, possibly twenty-five miles. If the event comes off it will be a strictly local &ffair. Botu men will be paced throughout the race, afd a svitable prize will be given the winner, probably reaching the full limit allowed by the rules of the League of American Wheelinen. Counselman, as is well known, Is a good long-distance rider. He is the champion of the Century Cycle Club, and was the frst man in the recent one-hundred-mile match road race in the Arlington-Century Cycie Club event last fall. He also holds the championship from this city to River View, won last season. Wilson is a good sprint racer, and has done some fine riding. Last season he rode in good form, and stands third in the list of iceal racers, published in The Star last fall. A race between the two ought to prove in- teresting. Smith stands fourth in the local racing world, and is regarded as a coming man. There seems to be an idea prevatling that the mateh between Moran ard LeCompte will not come off on Decoration day. The cause is due to the fact that May 30 is generally the opening of the cycle racing season. Every racing man who Is in any condition turns out on that day for a triai of his speed. This being the case, every man will want to race for himself. In view of this, it will be a difficult matter to se- | curé pacemakers for the men in the match race. Even tf pacemakers can be obtained, it wiil be riders who have already ridden in a@ race, and are therefore not at their best for pacing work. They will not be able to make a fast showing. Another thing is that there will be race meets in both Washington and Baltimore on that day. ‘The local racers will probably remain in this city and enier the local race meet. It would be a hard thing for Moran to se- cure enough to accompany him to Balti- more and make pace for bim in the match race. If there was no race meet in this city the condition of affairs would be en- Urely different. Another possibility has. loomed up, and that is the match race may be run off in this city. Primarily, the race was gotten up to revive interest in bicycle racing in the monumental city, but a hitch has oc- curred in the original program, and the chances are about even that the race wiil come to Washington. Just what the hitch amounts to is hard to say, but it is of such @ character as to make the transfer to this city a strong probability. Further develop- ments in the matter are expected svon. There will be a clash between the base ball and the bicycling sports this season on two most desirable dates. According to the schedule of the Washington club it will play at home May 30 and July 4. Last year the local base ball team was away from the city on both of those dates. The race meets at the International Athletic Park on those dates, being the only sporting at- traction for the days, drew quite a large number of spectators. With a base ball game in progress, a double game as a holi- day attraction, a good many will go to N: tional Park who otherw would witne: the bicycle racing. As a rule there is a difference between the base ball fan and the bicycle fanatic, but there are some peo- ple who are about half and and who gro apt to attend whichever sport their fancy dictates. The bicycle race meet promoter takes all those things into consideration. The en- teriaining of such ideas, gees a long way i y the success of a meet. It is quite li that on both of the above named holid: Q strong card of racing will be presente to act as a counter attraction for the ba ball game. Just at this time of the year the Conduit road is receiving its annual repairs. The road is under the control of Capt. Gaillard of the engineer corps, who is detailed in charge of the Washington aqueduct by the chief of engineers of the War Department. Since the beginning of this year wagons have been at work hauling stone and de- positing large piles of the same at points where some attention is demanded. As soon as all of the stone has been hauled the movable stone crusher is brought into use, and the cracked stone placed on the surface of the road. Later it is rolled down and a covering of dirt placed over {t. But while these repairs are being made the rcad is left ia rather bad condition for use by the local bicycle riders. edges of the crushed stone are resj for more than one ‘bad puncture to pneumatic tires. The wheelmen who visited Cabin John bridge last Sunday found the road in any- thing but a good condition. On the stretch by the lower reservoir big patches of crushed stone have been placed, while again beyond Brill's old place there is an- other good stretch of the stone. A num- ber of other places along the road have also been covered with the stone. ‘Lne riding to- morrow may be all right, but at any rate inside of a fortnight the highway will be in splendid condition, the A cause for complaint among wheelmen, which arises every fall, and is again com ing to the front, is the matter of the early sprinkling of the streets. There is noth- ing so disagreeable for riding as a newly sprinkled street. The street cleaning de- partment starts in work shortly after noon, it seems, about this season of the year, and continues until the work mapped out by. the contractor is finished. This is the time when the most bicycles are ridden in the city. A good story is told of Representative Shafroth of Colorado, who is regarded as an enthusiastic wheelman, though but re- cently converted. He was seized with the bicycle fever while in Chicago, and, like all cautious and sensible men, boug an old machine to use until he could ride well. When he came to this city he brcught the machine with him, and en- joyed riding around the smooth stree regardless of appearances, The repr sentative entertained the idea that no thief would think of stealing such a looking wheel, and was rather careless of its safet; He frequently rode it to the Cap- itol, and while attending to business on the inside left the machine outside un- locked. The other day, after the House had adjourned, he came out to mount his wheel, and was surprised to find that some thief had made way with it. Though he has no mount at present the representative thinks he knows enough about riding to get a brand-new wheel, and will take pre- cautions regarding its safety. The wheelmen of Maryland are making good fight for better roads, and a bill for good roads now before the state legis- lature at Annapolis has the support of many hundred farmers all over the state. Another bill will be introduced which pro- vides for state stone crushers, to be placed at quarries in various parts of the state, to furnish material for road building. Bonds issued for the improvement of roads are o be exempt from county, city and state taxation, provided that they sell for not less than par and bear interest not less than 3% per cent. On petition of two hundred citizens of any county. who are each paying taxes on not less than $500 worth of property in the county the county ecmmissioners may submit to a vote of the citizens of the county the matter of issuing bonds for the construction of roads. Ap- peels are being made to the leaders of both political parties to use their influence on the members to pass the Dills. THE COMING MATCH RACE As the time draws near interest increases in the match race between A. C. Moran of this city and W. G. LeCompte of Balti- more, whose picture appears on this page. It is understood that LeCompte has started at hard work in training for his ride. Moran is getting down to harness, and 1s rapidly coming into trim. He is working every day, hardening his muscles, and in riding his wheel for various distances. He realizes that a twenty-five-mile race is ™much more wearing than a sprint race, re- quiring endurance as well as head work. The match race will be the first meeting of the two riders this season. Last year Moran and LeCompte met eight or more times, on different tracks, and each time the Washington man was able to vanquish the Baltimorean. A middle distance race might prove a different thing, but a good many favor the local boy in the race, and he will not go to the tape without plenty of substantial backing. The record estab- lished by him on the track is well known, and he bids fair to even exceed it. LeCompte bears the title of champion of Maryland, having won several state cham- picnships. He was in a number of race meets last year, and acquitted himself with glory. He was more successful in his native city and surrounding towns than he was in this city, however, where he won only one race, and that a handicap affair. Likewise he seemed to fare badly when the Washington riders visited Baltimore and entered race meets. This year a great improvement is reported in his riding, and this makes him an antagonist all the more to be looked after. A compilation of his riding last year shows the following races won; June 2, at Washington, three-mile open; July 3 and 5, at state meet, Frederick, third-mile, half-mile, one-mile and two-mile (stat championships), one-mile open, 21-mile roa race, one-mile handicap (scratch), half- mile handicap (scratch), half-mile unpaced (time, 1:03), half-mile tandem (time, 0:57); July —, at Harrisburg, Pa., half-mile open August 6 and 7, national meet, Philadel. phia, qualified in four races and made fast- est amateur unpaced mile (time, 2:08), but ‘was unplaced in finals; August 14, at Bal- timore, half-mile and mile open; Septem- ber 6, at Washington, two-mile handicap @5 yards); September —. at Baltfmore, one- mile quad race~(scratch); October —, at Baltimore, Lake Clifton record’ (seven- eighths of a mile), time, 1:401; Lake Monte- = record (one and three-eighths miles), ime, 2:52; half-mile and mile paced (state records); October —, at Cambridge, Md., one-mile and two-mile paced, for state ship; November 26, at Baltimoy Thanksgiving dos. 10-mile road race, fin MANAGERS’ CHANCES Errors of Tadgment Have Killed Many * Clubs’ Prospects, TOM BROWS DIFFICULT TASK Everything Looks Bright, but Luck ‘is a Big Factor. —_—_+—___ GOSSIP OF THE PLAYERS The direct and emphatic statement made by Mr. Earl Wagner to The Star last Thursday that Tom Brown would manage and captain the Washington club the com- ing season created the greatest satisfaction among the local base ball patrons. This wil! be Brown's eleventh year in the pro- feseional ranks, and it promises to be his mcst successful one. Taking a club from the tail-end bunch, as Brown did last year after Gus Schmelz had given up the reins of control, and landing it within a fraction of one per cent of sixth place is quite a feat. The playing of the men under him conclusively demonstrated that he was liked and that he knew the points of the geme. Theories had been given to the play- ers for breakfast, dinner and supper for two seasons, and the change of diet to plain fact was appreciated. Brown knows men so that runs come plate, and tallies win games—the t of all the contests and ulti- how to work th ever th success. Thomas Brown made his debut into the fonal ranks with the Pittsburg club in 1 , the first y r that organization played under the banner of the major asso- His work was of the best that about his sale to the m. The four follow- ) and '91—he guard- om for the Beaneat- s. When the consolidation of the league and American Association took place in 1892 it was decided to distribute several of the best players to the there- by making all the clubs as nearly equal in playing strength as possible. The Louis- ville club was the weak club then, as now, and President Young banished Brown to that city. The following years—'92, '93 and ‘04—Tom piayed first- ball for the falls city team, but the team was shy on heavy hitters, and, of course, Brown failed to help them out m this respect, although he was as good as any man or the team with the bat. In 'Y5 Brown figured in the Shu- gart deal and went to St. Louis, but being a@ high-priced player, his stay in the mound city was very brief. In the latter part of that secson Earl Wagner, with his usual shrewdness, gobbled up Brown, and he hes been a regular player on the team ever since, and it is a foregone conclusion that he will be a Senator for many seasons to come. As a base runner Brown can be classed with the best; he is in the same class as a fielder, and although not classed as a slugger, he has always been hovering around the .300 mark. As a heady player he need not take the dust of any man wearing 2 National League uniform. — A significant remark made by Mr. Wag- ner when ‘asked recently if he wouldn't place Jack Doyle in charge of the team when once; that player signed a contract was that he owned a franchise rated as be- ing worth $100,000, He needed a man to look after the players and captain the club. He knew Brown personally, all his qualifi- cetions and defects, and considered him valuable to the club. Jack Doyle he knew only as a brilliant player, and it would be the height bf foolishness for him to jeopar- dize the value of his franchise by thro ing out a man he knew well and trusted for another who is almost a stranger. ht t for a large ing years—ISss, 'St ed the right field posit 2 Speaking of managers, the patrons of the game should remember that they are but human and liable to err like other ordinary people. There is good reason. for discussing the managers now, as the bell will soon be sounded on the first game of the coming season. Every club manager in the coun- try is getting his house in order for another shy at the great American public. This new player and that has been secured to add strength for the coming season. Some of these acquisitions are bona fide, and some are mere bluffs. The intentions are genuine in many instances and only “brown papers” in others. And right into the mid- dle of the case, up to the neck, wade the mistakes of managers. Supposing now that the managers might have the pick choice of base ball talent for the next y and supposing that these selections did not conflict, would there not be a procession at the end of the coming season? In a great measure are not the teams as now made up the choice of owners and managers? It may not be true that every individual play- er is a deliberate choice, but us a whole the different clubs represent the choice eof those in control. The real question is—do managers know talent which has not been developed? Some do. Many do not. The inanager who cannot pick out a coming player is handicapped. He may mean well enough, but somehow he does not have his man sized up until some one else recog- nizes the talent in the rough, and hustles him off to the field for polishing. There is no trouble about classifying a Keeler, a Lange, a Delehanty, a Clarke, a Mercer, Jennings, and others of that inner circle now. Anybody can do that. But how many would have put them into their pres- ent class a few years ago? Pittsburg was said to be too fast for Gene DeMontreville some years back, but today Baltimore believes it has a winner in the little Frenchman. Bobby Wallace was another boy not good enough for the smoky city club, wut good enough for Cleveland as a pitcher and third baseman, who hits the ball viciously. Chicago goes through sea- gon after season picking up a lot of un- tamed pitchers, while Johnny Powell stood around waiting for a job. Boston saw nothing of particular value in Tenney and Stahl and offered both to Washington. Mr. Wagner, who prides himself on his uner- ring judgment of players, declined the offer with thanks. He was in no need of gold bricks, although Manager Schmelz kept him from taking a chance. The late President Byrne was supposed to know as much about base ball and players as any one in the business, yet he allowed little Keeler to slip through his hands. Now notice the change. Cases of this sort turn up every season. There are few of the highest class stars of the big league who have not been turned down flat in their time—not shuffled and traded, but absolutely turned down ani labeled no good. How many days is it since Tebeau said Joe Corbett was a false alarm and “Buck” Ewing selected Wiley Davis instead of “Still Bill” Hill for whom he recently traded three good players. ‘The more one goes over this question of managerial judgment the more one loses faith. It may be asking too much of man- agers to make no mistakes, but one may be pardoned for thinking that men who are trained professionals should be able to select sérviceable material a little bet- ter than s§me of them have done. Wash- ington mage no mistake in finding room for the new. men on the list, Gettman, McHale, Doyle, Reitz, Amole, Dinneen and Snyder. If the signs are worth any- thing, Gettman, McHale, Amole, Dinneen and Snydef are going to be up among the league leaders the coming season. Reitz and Doyle we: know all about. There are many who®will bank on their opinion that Sete ig already there, but with a bet- ter knowlege, of league methods and the advantage,of the short season last year, he shouldybe ‘a highly valuable man the coming season. All the men are fast on their feet, "above the average as to hitters, and play With their heads as well as their feet and hands. These are the kind Wash- ington wants and has been wanting for years. Tom Brown’s ambition will be to land the club higher up in the race than last year. He will have the players with him to & man and all his admirers are hop- ing that mistakes will not come his way this year. Outside of the preliminary practice of league teams now at work in the south, the livest feature of base ball is the large, Icosejointed kick that is moving across the horizon from the direction of Mary- land over be perenne on ‘Mbich President Young distur! is. gray matt 80 seri- ously in Florida last fall. It is true that fome of thé clubs have not been given the eg peg ee desirable cannot go to lubs, 80 there is bound to be some pended upon to look out for his club, but Pittsburg has suffered in the past and is due this season for something good. Man- ager Hanlon should remember that there are others in the National League circuit and that the best of everything cannot come his way every segson, If Mr. Han: Jon will recall when he has had bad dates, he will find that it has not been in recent years. The Baltimore manager complains that he will travel 11,000 miles the coming season, while Washington has only 9,000 chalked ageinst its traveling expenses. Pittsburg has 17,000 miles to cover, yet there is no kick from Manager Watkins. As for the Washington club, will some one recall when we had a good schedule? Under the present circumstances it is no wonder that Treasurer Earl Wagner is pleased. He sess ahead chances for making money and also for landing his club in a good position in the championship race. Let us have something, just this once; we have never had a good thing before, and we may never have it again. So quit kick- ing and grin and bear it this year. Wash- ington had a tough schedule for many seasons past, but when a kick was made we were told the club needed it for finan- cial reasons: This year things look dif- ferent. It strikes the average follower of the national game that if the youngsters bent on making fame and money as professional ball players should select third base as their home position success would come their way more frequently. It has long been claimed that third base is the hardest position on a ball team to fill, and the very fact that there is more trouble among the majority of National League clubs in Thomas Brown, Manager-Captain. tilling the place acceptably any cther position on the team, ig ample proof that this estimate is correct. No less than five of the twelve clubs in the National League were the past season, and are now, in a quandary about fill: ing third base. “Scrappy” Joyce didn’t play the bag cither to his own or body else's satisfaction with 7 last season. Donnelly, who place, wade just about as bad a m it the manager-captain. sh Phillies didn’t play the bag in a create enthusiasm. He and Cr taken turns about playing the bag for the Quakers the last two years. Denny Ly- ens didn’t suit the Pittsburg club at third, and they switched for Donnelly, it being a case of out of the frying pan into the Hoffmeister and Davis took S| ing up the dust around the third . with varying success. Chicago Everett at third, then McCormick, tried then back to Everett again, but only with ucce: poor The Washington club once of Charley Reiliy as a third but finally weakened on him him his release. Before nis tcn notice had expired the local man- agement came to the conclusion that ly better than any one they could get is place, a ined him for ance of the sea 2 The coming 3 Start off in tha , and many proph- will fill the ets believe he bill. There ts no question that his work at third will be improved fully forty per cent if he will listen to the advice given him from time to time by his mana Leahy cer- tainly played third to th y Baltimore during the clo: end it sl came about through gucd e from Capt. Brown. For two years Lou! le club has hh threatening Bill Clingman. The club's fault s in the fact that Billy doesn’t rd enough to suit them, but Billy He may -notchers, but he the to rele: finding hit goes not hit up with the is one of the finest ng third basemen in the league. St. Louis has changed third basemen every year for the past three or four seasons. Boston has always had a is ng holdirg on to his job. te grand third baseman. As long as Billy Nash was with the Bostons he was con- sidered the king of third basemen, As soon as he began to fail the club secured Collins, and there are many who think that he is entitled to the crown that Nash wore so long. When you run over the names of Collins, Wallace and Irwin you have the pick of the National Leagve. McGraw may come again this but the chances are that he will never great work he did in ‘95. For the of the game it is to be hoped that s first-class third basemen wili be to the list the coming season. Last son the Toronto club wa 1 position in the championship race on June 4. On August 21 the club the procession. The spurt was ful one that, while commendation is due e every member of the te: liant brace, special pra Dinneen, their crack t doubt the star pitchei ch and m for that bril- is due William rier, and without of the Eastern League last season, for his excellent work in aiding the Canucks tion the teain he! to the proud posi- d at the end of the season. To prove that Mr. Dinneen was the star pitcher of the Eastern League, the writer says that he has only to mention the record of his pitching feats, commencing with June 1, during which time he officiated in eighteen contests, winning seventeen and losing the solitary one to Syracuse, the champions las in a brilliant game, by Dinneen also succeeded, during eason, in holding the Cleveland team down to two hits and no runs in five in- nings, striking out four batters. Captain Tebeau was on the ccaching lines during the game and tried in every way to raitle the youngster, but Dinneen was as cool as a cucumber, and finally he was left alone, as his fine work won the admiration of the Spiders. Gossip. = Mercer wants to correct the item pub- lished last Saturday coming from East Liverpool about his name. “Win” says his full name is Winifred Boagley Mercer, the abbreviation being the natural result when he struck the base ball ranks. The Columbia Athletic Club has done a clever act by throwing open its gymnasium for the use of the Washington players whenever they desire inside exercise. Man- ager Brown and Mercer received their in- vitations during the past week, and the other players will get theirs when they arrive in town. National Park at present looks almost as well as it did any time during last season. The grass is beginning to sprout, white the base lines have been scraped and straight- ened up. The changing of the players’ benches iss under consideration, but their present location is hard to Improve on. Magnate Freedma may have been euchred out of Rusie services for a sea- son, but he finally came out on top. ‘The same can apply to Earl Wagner and Jack Doyle. The Chicago people can throw all the “con” they want to into Jack, but he will play in Washington or not play at all. To say the least, the actions of President Hart and Manager Burns in this matter havé not been very dignified, to shun a harsher word. ‘ It is more than possible {f this fine weather continues that several of the Sena- tors will indulge in light practice at Na- tional Park next week. Several of the Monday or Tuesday, and the desire to get hold of a bat and ball will be hard to hold in check. Manager Brown says he will be on hand early and late to see that the boys do not overtax themselves at the start off. ‘We still want Doyle, but we can’t have him, for Washington has certainly set much upon this great player to now him go. Burns was willing to make actly such @ trade as I outlined in tion was. to put him behind the bat, ess Rie Play Everitt on first. Bs cident befell either Everitt or McCofinick, Doyle could go to first, and third be still safely gar- risoned. It was a warm scheme, but Wag- ner couldn't see it—not even when Burns offered to throw in Kittridge as a special ane correspondent Sporting e. Washington js having the stereotyped time with Jack Doyle, but the great first baseman will be there all the same after ae has had bis little annual serio-comic joke. You know Jack has a brain. He shows it in base ball. Jack has won many a game by using that head, and just how many times he has won many a dollar with it can only be conjectured. Jack is worth all Mr. Wagner can squander on him. In fact, Jack will never get quite what he is worth, but he will get all he can. Anyway, we will all over here be willing to contribute our little something to fasten Jack on the Senators’ big corner, because we want him to make it interesting for us.—Baltimore correspond- ent Sporting Life. Emerson Hawley, the well-known pitch- er, has reported to Captain Ewing of the Cincinnati club at San Antonio, Tex. “Pink” has not signed a contract as yet, $700 being the difference between him and the club, but the indications point to a capitulation. It is a foregone conclusion that Mr. Brush will not be the one who hauls down the flag and surrenders, A special from Indianapolis says that Amos Rusie, New York's great twirler, has received his contract from President Freed- man and will return it, signed, in a few days. Amos believes the Giants will be first or second at the end of the season. President Freedman of the New Yorks cleared up all doubt yesterday afternoon as to his attitude toward the anti-kicking measure passed at the recent meeting of the National League at St. Louis by slgn- ing the document and forwarding it to President Young. IN THE CHURCHES In conversation this week with a Star reporter, Rev. Dr. Josiah Strong of New York, general secretary of the Evangelical Alliance of America, said he had reason to believe that a branch of that organization would soon be formed in Washington. The Purposes of the Evangelical Alliance, brief- ly outlined, are to enlist the efforts of the members of all the evangelical churches in @ movement which has for its object the attainment of better government for the large cities. At the present time it is a well-known fact, he said, that the government of most of the large cities is lamentably bad, and, while the balance of power, when it comes to a question before the state legislatures, is in the hands of members from the country districts, the movement from the country to the city is of such a permanent character that it will be but a few years at the most before it will no longer be necessary for the city to ask authority from the state to do this or to do that, and that then it will be the bad members of society who will dominate those of a more religious turn of mind. In order to counteract this adverse ten- dency the Evangelical Alliance has begun a mpaign in various states, notably in Pennsylvania, where they haye succeeded in getting members in large numbers of the Epworth League, Christian Endeavor Society, Luther League, Baptist Young People’s Union and other kindred organiza- tions to go from house to house and dis- tribute leaflets or small books, which have been prepared for the purpose of awaken. ing voters to a sense of their responsibility to the country at large. This is the plan which is to be followed here. It is expect- ed that, while the citizens of the District of Columbia do not vote, an influence will be thereby exerted upon those who go from Washington to their respective homes to vote. Already steps have been taken by some of the prominent leaders of young people's societies to have a great mass meeting for the purpose .of obtaining co- operation among all interested, in order to bring about the desired result. Considerable interest has been excited in this city among Sunday school workers regarding the publication recently, in a monthly paper, of an article in which the editor severely criticised the personnel and conduct of Sunday schools generally. ‘This writer claimed that the Sunday schools are decaying, and that even its most zeal- ous advocates concede the fact that its strength is on the wane: that those wh attend are lukewarm in their interest. Leading Sunday school workers in this city, who discussed the matter with a Star reporter, were of the opinion that the Sun- y school is a greater force today in the church than ever before; that brighter men and women are engaged and better meth- ods employed; that the interest Is greater than ever before. They say the declara- tion that, as a rule, Sunday school super- intendents are stupid and the teachers list- less and uninterested, is absurd. As a matter “of fact, it was stated, there has been a'most phenomenal progress made in the Sunday school. Rev. Dr. Hamma of Washington, who, since 1896, has been pastor of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Altoona, Pa., which city he has only regarded as Lis temporary residence, has resigned his ion as pastor there, and will return to Washington. When Dr. Hamma accepted the pastorate it was with the understand- ing that he would remain but a few months, but on account of the importunities of the members he has been induced to remain from time to time for more than two years A gentleman, who is thoroughly conversant with the affairs of the Altoona Church, ays that during Dr. Hamma’s torate the congregation has risen from threatened disintegration and almost bankruptcy to a condition of great prosperit Sister Augusta B. Shaffer, the present head of the Lutheran mother house at Bal- timore, who, as heretofore stated in The Star, is to be a missionary to Africa, will be the second deaconess to go to the continent from an American Luthe mother house. Sister Augusta will work as a missionary just as do others who are sent by the Lutheran foreign board. She will also remain a deaconess, and as such will bear the same relation to the mother house “«s does one who is working as a parish deaconess under the immediate direction of a pastor of a parish in America. Sister Augusta was the first of the deaconesses of the general synod to enier upon deacon- ess work, and has been the head sister since the opening of the mother house. The ninth mass meeting of the Lutheran Young People’s Union of the District of Columbia was held last evening at the Church of the Reformation, Rev. Dr. W. E. Parson, pastor. Those who took part were Rev. Dr. J. G. Butler of Luther Memorial, Rev. Dr. S. Domer of St. Paul’s, Rey. Dr. Parson, Miss C. A. Poggensee, president of the Christian Endeavor Society of the Church of the Reformation; Sister Keturah Smith and the officers of the union. Dr. Parson spoke on “Christ’s Call to Young Men,” and Sister Smith “On Christ’s Cal! to Young Women.” An intermediate society of Christian En- deavor has been formed in Grace Baptist Church, Rev. A’ F. Anderson, pastor, with Mr. E. A. Ferris as its superintendent. Rev. Dr. Parson, pastor of Church of the Reformation, will during the remaining Sunday evenings in Lent preach on special tepics,as follows: Tomorrow, “False God: March 20, “Pulpit and Pew;” March “To Young Men and Young Women;” Aprii 3, “To Fathers and Mothers.” During Pas- sion week he will preach each evening, ex- cept Saturday, on an appropriate topic, and Sunday morning will discourse cn “The Resurrection.” The same evening there will be confirmation, communion and recep- tion of new members. Representative Dolliver of Iowa has been selected by the proper authorities to pre- sent the claims of the American Untver- sity to the general conference of the M. EB. Church South, which meets shortly in Bal- timore. Bishop Hurst is almost daily re- ceiving assurances that the members of the Southern Methodist Church regard the es- tablishment of the American University as an absclute necessity, in order that educa- tion under religious auspices may be kept abreast of the times, and, while there is to be an effort made to increase the endow- ment of Vanderbilt University in Tennes- see, it is not at all probable that those who contribute to that cause will thereby be led to give any less toward the endowment of the great institution which is to be located here, and one of the buildings of which, the Colicge of History, has already been completed. It is realized that the work of the two institutions does not conflict in any regard, and there is reason to believe that many of the students who will gradute from the Vanderbilt will afterward take a poet sraneate course at the American Uni- “Sishop Hurst is confident that the full amount of $10,000,000, which was asked for when the enterprise was started for the purpose of endo: the American Univer- AS Ae the service ofthe when it is understood by the people Mrs. Ida Blackman, 3073 M st. n.w, Cured of Deafness. As an exception to general rale that the ring usually comes! denly, after a certain period of treatment, we this week present for the first time the case of Mre.! he Ida Bi man of 3073 M st. now. This case differs from the great majority of cases that are cured under this treatment, from the fact that the improvement in almost all the ecmplications began almost from the «tart. She seye have been deaf abcut nine years, ever since my little girl was a bi It was at this time that I noticed that I was beginning to get hard of hearing. I also bad Catarrh, and was trerted by a physician, without any effect. This deafness came on gradually, and got worse and worse year by year. I had a dreadful roaring in my head. The roaring was so bad that I could noty sleep at night, and I said to my besband that f tld not sleep with this rearing,” only the ni, before I first came bere. And singularly enc wonderful to me, after the first treatment able to go to sleep and slept well all treatment improved my hearing almost from the Start, the noise passed away, and it stayed away, and I had no return of this troubles: symptom “I could not hear the clock tick at all; T now ar it again. I could not bear my children talk- they had to tal¥ so loud to me that they have grown into the Labit of talking loud, they say: “Why, mamma, we don’t ha so loud to yo For four or five when I went to church I could not hear the sermon; I mow hear everything the minister says, and I sit in the same seat that I used to occupy when I was so deaf. I ir the music and the words of the music. I could not bear a hand organ, and after I had taken the second or third trea it 1 ecculd bear the organ without going to the do I cculd not hear a knock at the door; I ean hear that now. In fact, I cannot begin to fell how much improvement I have derived from the treat- ment, everything 1s 89 different. I could not bear @ Uttle, and now I hear so m I think T hear about everything that Is going on. After Having Taken Treatment Sev- eral Mon “My general health is greatly improved, and 1 feel much stronger physically than for many yeers. I can see no reason why I shall not be atle to hear perfectly. I cannot say too much for the treatment, and can scarcely express myself in words as to the gratitude I feel for the benefit I have derived, Hyerything seems different, and it is like entering into a new world. 1 feel like urging everybody wh» has troubles similar to mine to go to these physicians for treatment, They bave done so much for me and for others.” Reading Matter Free to All. Or. J. Cresap McCoy, Dr. J. M. Cowden, 715 13th Street Northwest. , 7 to Cfice Hours—9 a.m. to 12 m.; . daily; Sundays and holidi to 5 5, p.m; 10 aa. of America. It is also reasonable to be- lieve that the bequest of 850,000 by the late Mr. Ma: of Toronto, to aid in the erec- tion of a building to represent Canadian Methodism in the university, will not only bring that strong church {nto alliance with the institution, but will also cause to be made donations and beguests from promi- nent Methodist e dominion. The Baltimore conference of the Method- ist Episcopal Church South, with which the churches of that denomination in this’ city are connected, will meet one week! from Wednesday next at Hinton, W. Va. Bishop A. W. Wiison will preside. The conference comprises parts of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and: the District of Columbia. There are in the conference about 229 ministers and a large number of lay delegates. About the most! important business to be transacted will be | the election of five delegates to represent! the body at the coming general conference | in Baltimore, where, it is believed, one or} more bishops will be elected. A feature of the conference will be the third anniver- sary observance of the post-graduate course of the conference. This is an asso-" ciation for higher study, composed of the younger members of the bod; ll of whom! have completed a prescribed course in Methodist sehools. The seventieth annual meeting of the Maryiand annual conference of the Meth-- dist Protestant Church will convene in Baltimore April With this conference the M. P. churches in Washington are con- nected. It is expected that there will be about 250 delegates present. It is under-' stood that President A. D. Melvin, who = is chosen last year, will be re-elected. Tt customary for the presidents to be elect for three successive years, but Mr. M predecessor, Rev. Dr. Kinser, ser five years. Tne conference comprises Mary= land, the District of Columbia, with por- tions of Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. There are about 130 min- isters in the body and an equal number of lay delegates. i Mrs. P. M. Mitchell, district superintend- ent of the temperance work of the V T. U., has issued a “personal letter to Su day school teachers,” in which she calls attention to the quarterly temperance les- son for the 20th instant. Mrs. Mitchell Says: “It we continue the crusade started unt. versal temperance Sunday of pledging all members of our schools to total abstinen the next generation will number fewer, drunkards. I hope every school in the Dis-! trict will supply themselves with the na- tional colored pledge cards, intended to, make a chain of pledged members, to be displayed in the school room each temper- nace Sunday. When all have signed this will form, when united, a District chain’ and be displayed at the annual convention! of the W. C. T. U. It will then be sent to, the national superintendent, to unite with the stute chains, forming a national Sun- Gay school temperance pledge chain. “Send or call for literature sulted to your, classes. I can supply you for March 20, temperance Sunday, if you apply soon. I! am at home to temperance secretaries Vednesdays and Saturdays “ine Women's Presbyterial Home Mission- ary Society held their annual meeting on ‘Thursday last and hed the pleasure of having put $5,000 to the work of home missions during the year. As this is the twentieth anniversary of the organization of the society, the ladies propose to cele- brate it by an evening meeting during the meeting of the presbytery, the first week of April, and next Wednesday even- ing Dr. John R. Paxton, a former pastor of the New York Avenue Church, will give his great war lecture for this same f0- clety. ‘oa Mon@ay next the Rev. Howard Wil- bur Ennis will start on a trip through’ New York state in the interest of the dressing mass m of men ston, Hudson Rensselaer, Albany, Toy, Cohoes, Auburn and piensa » A Generous Foe. From Life. It was not to be. ‘The gods and she had determined other wise. He was pesistent. 2 She was firm. Yet kind. “And it is good-bye?” he said,