, 1890-06-10

80 per cent. added for grand stand, t2s-cent
tariff.
These figures are pregnant with mean
ing. They show first, IL they show any
thing, how futile is the hope that two clubs,
both having the same name, can play on
the same days and live under the present
basis OF expenses and high salaries. To
fully comprehend this self evident fact 1t
Is only necessary to reflect that the ex-
penses of the clubs which are parties TO the
conflict average st least SIS, 900 for the sea-
son OF twenty-five weeks-some OF the
Brotherhood clubs, indeed all but one or
two, will run nearer $4,000 this year
which means a weekly average Of So, 1000.
It will be seen that during the time covered
the clubs playing at Boston IN. l.. and
p. L., ut New York (P. L. and Mt Phila-
delphia IN. L.) were the only ones which
came anywhere near receiving enough
money through the gates to pay combined
expenses, say 5000 per week, and that the
total loss to the clubs, collectively, was
SS,46i in the Brotherhood, and 81 less in
the League. OF course, these figures are
not exact. but they are figured on the pay
ing attendance as given out officially by
both leagues and are near enough to show
how the fight progresses.
II is evident that unless there is an enor-
nous increase In the aggregate attendance
during the balance OF the season, that both
leagues stand to lose n great deal OF money
II they continue the cutthroat policy OF
conflicting dates. Unless a change is made
1t will be- a case where the longest purse
will win.
/ do not propose to discuss here the ques-
ton as TO which side has the most right to
the dates in the east generally known ms
"plums" in baseball parlanco. The League
people say they cannot afford to change
their schedule; the Players league doesn't
seem TO now whether It can afford to do
so or not. In my opinion the Players
league, with the exception OF two clubs,
will not come anywhere near paying ex
penses unless IL does.
This Is true also OF the League; but rs
has been aptly said by that brilliant base
ball wit and philosopher. Frank Hough:
The League mngnntes are losing what
they have made, while the Players ara los
ing what they expected to make" How
long will the men back OF the Cleveland,
P~ittsburg, Brooklyn and Buffalo clubs go
down into their pockets to make up Il de.
felt that Is apt to run up to 1880 a week
in most OF these clubsI The Players league
has no profitable future as long as It is run
on the policy Of anything to beat the old
League and, on the other hand, the old
League cannot live at a profit so long as a
like policy Is pursued against the Brother
hood.
The Brotherhood has everything to gain
by changing its schedule and very little to
lose except Its pride and the very doubtful
qualification OF its revenge towards It's old
employers for real or fancied grievances.
The new organization should take the ad
vice OF The Sporting Life, which has fought
so hard for it, and, putting aside its pride,
proceed to reorgsnize its schedule In a way
that its existence may be prolonged and
very probably be made permanent.
The figures | have given above show a
large falling OF in public interest over the
same period last year, but they are mis-
leading In this respect, as during the en-.
tire time they cover the weather was
threatening and rain seemed a likely thing
at every game. and as a matter OF fact rair
did prevent games on one or more days In
zach city except PHILADELPHIA.
The weather handicap kept away manl
people. There is some apathy, OF course
and 1t is likely TO increase a- a result o
the baseball war and be shown In the stat,
Of the turnstiles, but the general interes
Is as great as ever. Warm weather will
awaken part OF it int action. a chang,
Of schedules would give it renewed life.
w. l. HARRIS.