Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-04
President Ketcham and His COL
leagues Cause Hitch in the
Efforts for Peace.
NEGOTIATIONS DECLARED OFF.
Mr.. Prince, of Boston, Looms Up and De-
cIares the P. l.. Will Soon Fixa
New Circuit for Next Year.
LOCAL INDOOR ATHLETIC CONTEST.
A Question Of Billiards in Engsnd-Gensrtl Sporting
News Of the Day.

1t may not be pleasing for lovers of base
ball harmony to know that definite hitch
in the negotiations for the peace programme
has occurred at Toledo. Yesterday con-
ference of parties interested ended in declar-
ing all negotiations of, and the magnates
separated without coming TO any agreement
at all.
A special dispatch from Columbus to this
paper last evening stated that President
Thurman, of the American Association,
held conference in that city with Presi-
dent Ketcham, Director Baitz and Manager
Morton, of the Toledo club, the object being
TO induce the Toledo baseball magnates to
sell their franchise, or, in other words, take
s., COO and leave the American Association
the same as Rochester and Syracuse have
done. The meeting was lengthy one, and
there was very animated expression OF
opinion. President Thurman very ably
ard clearly pointed out that it would be to
the advantage of both the Toledo club and
the American Association if the former
would withdraw from the latter after being
given a reasonable compensation. The Toledo
magnates, however, turned deaf ear to all ell
treaties. and gave strong evidence that they
mean TO squeeze the Association for every cent
possible. When this was apparent President
Thurman was quite content to declare all ne
gotiations off.
Doubtless the above news will be learned
with glee by those who wish to see the efforts
Of Messrs. Spalding and Thurman in their
peace mission" fail. But it may be stated
that Toledo's action will not and cannot pre-
vent the fuitillment of the progl anime mapped
out. Too much of it has already been carried
out for the balance of it to be abandoned, and
the onlv result that is sure TO follow will be one
that will recoil on all those who are now acting
as impedimentS. local magnate, who is as
well informed as anybody IN the country on the
matter, was asked his opinion by the writer last
evening. He said:
Twill talk freely on this question, with the
understanding that my name will not be made
public at present have reasons Tor this which
will be quite obvious in 4 week or SO. Well,
now Toledo's action was not unanticipated by
Messrs. Thuima and Spaiding. The Toledo
gentlemen have been prompted by enemies of
peace to make all the trouble they can and they
are silly enough to do it, They will be the suf
ferers, because, If they desire to form an organ
ization outside of Toledo. why it will easily be
done. L have Just said that the impeachment of
the Toledo club was not unlocked for and that
means that Messrs. SpaldinG and Thurman,
with their organizations are prepared
TO act. And when they act what will be the
result? Why, Toledo will get nothing at all.
Toledo is not by any means close enough as
baseball town TO be in the American Associa-
tion as it will be next season and il is ridiculous
10 expect that good cities will keep up good
clubs for the sake of Toledo. What desire
to say emphatcally at present is that the action
of the Toledo club will not have any influence
on the determination of the National League
and the American Association to carry out
plans that they think will establish permanent
peace and place the national game on a success
lui basis. Not long ago l stated that there
would be some,unaxpected happenings in base
ball before the season opened, and think my
predictions are coming true. A few of US are
looking for these happenings, and let me re-
mind You that there is not such an anxiety in
Boston to have an Association franchise as
there was. This as very significant"