Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-31

NEW YORK, January 30.-The National
League settled one important matter to-day
and that was the membership problem. The
question of an increase or decrease in the
number of clubs, or keeping the League as
il stands has been a source of great annoy
auee and to-day's session, which lasted about
three hours. was chiefly confined to that
subject. 1t has been generally believed,
but without any sufficient reason, that both
Washington and indianapolis would step
out, thus leaving the League with eight
clubs. Both Mr.. Brush and Mr.. Hewitt,
however, claimed that they never enter
tained such an idea, and furthermore, moth
ing could induce them to retire. If the League
chose to vote them out that was a different
thing. This the League msgnates said they
would not do under any circumstances,
WILL STICK TO TEN.
Then came an effort to increase the member
ship to II clubs. Ex-President Stearns, OF the
Detroit club, appeared to be the prime mover
in the scheme, and to give his case tile
stronger backing he invited Mr.. Vonderforst,
the leading factor in the Baltimore club, to be
present at the League meeting, and if possible
tender applications for membership. Both Mr.
Stearns and Mr. Vonoerhorst appeared before
the delegates by invitation, and 1t is said that
Mr.. Stearns made an urgent request that the
Detroits be admitted into the fold again. The
members talked the matter over and finally de-
cided to let the matter drop without bringing It
to a vote. This means, as THE DISPATCH pre-
dicted yesterday that the League will consist
of ten clubs at least for another year.
A communication which rather surprised the
members was received from Bob Leadly, the
agent of the Buffalo club, of the international
Association, which was owned by Rowe and
White put which is supposed to have been
sold or transferred just to meet the emergency,
to the effect that he was authorized to negoti-
ate with the National League for the sale Of
the following named players:
AFUNNY SCHEME.
Mp. Leblanc, 81, $50; C. C. Collins, 81, 900; ].
J. Reidy, $3.50: E. ]. Flynn, 500; W. w. Andrus,
$50; C. Hamburg, $500; A. Shepard; $3.50; P. E.
Dealy, S2OO The communication was referred
TO the Negotiations Committee with much sus.
picion attached to it
The question of uniforms was discussed, and
it was decided to direct all clubs to wear white
uniforms excepting stockings, caps and belts,
when playing upon their grounds, and any
color they choose to select when playing
abroad.
A mOuOn was maze 10 G06 NUMBER
of persons to be admitted free into the regular
grounds. 1t was referred to the Schedule Com
mittee which will meet at Cleveland on Tues
day. March 4. 1t may be necessary to change
the date to the Sd.
MANAGER POWERS EXPLAINS.
Manager Powers, who is a pretty level,
headed man in baseball affairs, explained to a
DISPATCH reporter exactly why the Board Of
Arbitration decided as they did in the case Of
the Atlantic Association against three mem
bers that left the organization and Joined the
New England League. The fact is" said
Manager Powers, 'the Atlantic Association
asked for something that didn't belong to it
The decision was all right, but Lowell, Hart
ford and Worcester made mistake. They
should have asked the privilege Of the Board
of Arbitration to resign and then gone at once.
But they want to carry water on both shoul
ders.
'Now let me give you an example. Only q
wear ago the Newark and Jersey City clubs
who were members of the Central League and
under the protection of the National agreement
were anxious to form new organization. They
wanted Worcester, then of the New England
League to Join them in the worst way. The re
suit was the Atlantic Association was formed
and the players of the Newark, Jersey City and
Worcester clubs Joined the Association an6
carried their players with them by permission
of the Board of Arbitration. The clubs still
remaining in the Central League retained then
players and EImira, one of the clubs, finally
entered the New York State League.
81 cannot see. therefore. why the Atlantic
Association should complain about the decision
in the present instance as l consider it simi
lar case to that which have first mentioned
aud then they happened to be greatly benefited
thereby.
tuition of the Atlantic Association is faulty
and in direct conflict with the National agree
ment"