A new article has been added at Newspaper Abstracts > United States > District of Columbia http://www.newspaperabstracts.com/index.php?action=displaycat&catid=323 Direct link to article: http://www.newspaperabstracts.com/link.php?id=31766 Submitted by: barbara-dave Article Title: Washington Post Article Date: April 9 1912 Article Description: Baseball Page 9 Article Text: Washington Post April 9, 1912 Baseball Page 9 COMMERCE AND LABOR MAY NOT HAVE TEAM THIS YEAR Rumor Has It That Lack of Interest Will Deprive Departmental League of One of Its Most Formidable Contenders - Chief Greene Will Not Enter Professional Ranks. BY ALPHRED L. STERN. With the start of the season but a few weeks off and everything apparently in readiness for a successful opening, it was rumored on substantial authority yesterday that the Departmental League is about to encounter difficulty that may have material effect on its future status. Trouble, which, it is claimed, is already in the air, seems to have started in the Department of Commerce and Labor, where lack of interest and unwillingness on the part of those who lent their support last year to again step in and take the reins, is said to be responsible for the threatened withdrawal of the team that has represented that branch in the clerks' circuit for a number of years. A player, who has been with Commerce and Labor for a number of years, admitted last night that the rumor is not without foundation, although authorities in the department are said to be doing all in their power to prevent furtherance of the trouble. For the past week an effort has been made to enlist the service of department officials who are willing to lend their support, but thus far but little has been accomplished. Just what will be the outcome of it all, if the report is actually true, cannot be predicted. But one thing is certain, the Departmental League would lose one of its most formidable teams, a team that has always figured in races for the championship title. Officials of the league could not be reached last night, but it is to be hoped that a satisfactory agreement will be reached before the affair comes to a head. --- Although the above may stir up considerable comment as to the possibility of total disruption of the Departmental League, it is hardly probable that any such serious outcome will be brought about. With so worthy a man as C. C. CLARK, of the Agricultural Department, at the helm, it is reasonable to believe that everything will be smoothed over. Of course, it is not at all improbable that one or possibly two teams will withdraw, but even so the league would be in a position to pick up other men who would willingly take the franchises. The schedule has already been drafted, but the necessary changes could be made without difficulty. --- In spite of numerous reports that he will enter professional ranks before the start of the season, Chief GREENE, premier slabman at Catholic University, stated positively yesterday that he is going to pitch for American Security and Trust Company, of the Columbia League. GREENE is one of the most capable pitchers in Washington, and should win the majority of his games for the Bankers. --- Manager GRAY, of Potomac Electric Power Company, is gobbling up players by the wholesale in an effort to bring together a combination that can win the pennant in the Independence League. He has a formidable array of talent in line right now, which on paper looks like the material for one of the strongest teams that has played here in many a day. The latest player that has been brought under cover is "Chuckie" DAMPIER, who for the last few years has played on the third corner for Manhattan, in the same circuit. "Pete" LYNCH, captain of Alexandria Athletic Club and also a former Manhattan player, will also be found with the Electricians. It was expected that the youngster would sign with Southern Railway, of the Columbia League, but only yesterday he announced his intention of playing with Pepco. --- Unless the management gets busy at once and signs up a few extra twirlers, Braddock Athletic Club will experience rough traveling against teams of the class of American Security and Trust Company in the Columbia League. CASH and BENTON, two youngsters who pitched last year, are reliable twirlers, but neither will be able to stand the gaff of two games a week against the circuit in its present makeup. There are a number of players around town who could be induced to join the clubmen, and the management will be acting wisely in starting a search for all available at once. --- Naval Medico will be hard pressed for honors over in the Marquette League this year. Last season the Sailors had things about their own way, but things will be decidedly different when the curtain is raised on the incoming campaign. Carroll Institute, for instance, will no doubt be strongly fortified with talent, and should figure from start to finish. --- East Washington Sunday School League is going to have a number of representatives in the parade on Amateur day, according to Secretary EVANS. The communication lately forwarded the league by Secretary SHURTLEFF was promptly answered, and from the present outlook each of the four teams will be in line for the grand prize offered by Manager GRIFFITH, of the Washington American League club. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ DC-Old-News ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NewspaperAbstracts.com - Finding our ancestors in the news! TM http://www.NewspaperAbstracts.com