The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-28
GOODBYE EASTERN LEAGUE
6crast0a Club Franchise Has Been
4 Offered for Sale.
STATE LEAGUE WANTS US
Possibility That tho Franchise May
Change Hands In This City-Ncwark
and Foil River Want It-Man.
ager Baruie's Term Ends.

Scranton will no longer be q member
of the Eastern league OF base ball clubs,
and 1t is possible that this city will
next year be represented in the Penn
sylvania State league.
There was an amicable parting yes
terday between the association and
Manager Barnie. who has gone to
Brooklyn and Hartford, IN which two
cities he usually spends the winter.
The announcement that Scranton will
go out of the Eastern league Is made
authoratively and Is substanuated by
present efforts by Fail River and New
ark parties to purchase the franchise.
For several days each has been bidding
toward the $500 asked. These facts
were confirmed by President Belts in
an Interview with Tribune reporter
yesterday.
Lost $4,000 This Season.
During the past season the Scranton
association lost approximately $4,000,
and but for the good executive ability
of Manager Barnie the directors Of the
association believe the loss would be
much more. The directors think that
I'm q minor league a Scranton club has
a better chance Of finishing toward the
top of the list than in the Eastern
league and that consequently WIN
ming club will be better supported by
the public and will bring more money
TO the owners.
The decision to sell the franchise was
made with the assurance that Scranton
is wanted In the State league. OF which
this csty's club was the backbone in
the first half Of the 1894 season. and in
which league profit was made in 1898.
President Belts has good reason for be-
ing satisfied N Scranton returns to its
earlier love that an Allentown club
will come in and that Al Johnson will
be the principal owner. The league is
slated to include Williamsport. Phila-
delphia, Reading. Hazleton and Lam
caster, and there Is disposition to
drop Carbondale.
Doubts About tho State League.
While the decision to withdraw from
the Eastern league Is positively stated,
II is by no means a certainty that
berth will be taken in the State league.
There Ia among certain Of the directors
disposition to abandon the business
rather than do what they consider is
taking a decided backward step. and
It Is this feeling which may upset all
calculations as to the future.
Early last spring and during June Of
fers were made for the stock by a
ccterie Of young business men, with
whom some older and influential per-
sons were associated. The difference
between the sum offered and asked.
however, was 50 great that negotiations
fell through and have not been re-
vived. There is still a suspicion among
well-informed parties that the young
men who last year failed to buy the
stock will now purchase 1t rather than
see the Eastern league franchise trans
ferred to another city. This seems rea-
sonable when II Is considered that the
price asked for the franchise last spring
was 50, 900 more than Is asked now and
IS, 500 more than the sum possibly eX-
pected.
Belts May Remain Interested.
In the event Of the franchise being
kept in this city by new owners. it
would not be surprise If President
Belts continues to be financially In.
tere sted. although he yesterday denied
having such an object in view
Along with the announcement Of the
proposed fraE,chise sale 1t Is stated that
President Belts ard his associates are
looking for a playing manager for 1896.
This also was confirmed in the inter-
view with President Belts, and indi-
Gates preparation for actual business
next year. and the effort to secure a
manager does not j.be with the suppo-
ss.!on that Scranton Is not to possess a
profess sional club.
One of the most conspicuous of the
parties who earlier in the year made an
offer for the franchise was seen by a
Tribune reporter last night and told Of
the proposed sale. 1t was the first inti-
mation the gentleman had of the situa-
t!on, and when told of the price men,
tfcnei. stated that he stood ready to
guarantee that the franchise would re-
nall in Scranton provided the amount
was correctly reported. He said:
Among the men with whom I was
interested In the matter no conferences
have recently taken place nor have We
talked 1t over casually. but will per-
sonally guarantee that the franchise
will remain in Scranton If $4,000 is the
value placed upon 1t by its owners.
No State Leagne for Them.
IT don't understand this proposition
TO sell the franchise to parties In an
Cthsr city, unless the present owners
are anxious to see State league club
here. But want to say right here that
nome Of my money goes into a State
league enterprise and that's about the
way my friends feel. We want to in
vest our money In order to see Scran-
ton represented by a good club In big
league. but we don't want anything to
do with q state organization.
Base ball In Scranton will be killed
by a change to a minor league. In any
event, II this city with 10000 pOpula-
tion to draw from cannot support an
Eastern league club 1t won't support a