The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-21
NO EIGHTH CLUB YET
DECISION IN THE MATTER POST
PONED BY THE WESTERN
LEAGUE MAGNATES.
MAIL VOTE TO BE TAKEN.
QUESTION LEFT IN THE HANDS OF
A COMMITTEE OF
THREE.
MAIL VOTE TO BE TAKEN.
THE PLACE DECLINED BY OMAHA.
Prospective Manager Unable TO Com
ply With All the Conditions
Imposed on the Franchise.

CHICAGO, Dec. 20-Aftcr having the
eighth franchise of the Western league
practically awarded to Omaha, Man
ager James T. Mckee today, in brief
note of explanation, notified the base
ball magnates that the conditions that
would have to be fulfilled were too
hard, and after thanking the gentle
men for courtesies extended and hop
ing that L have not put you to any
unnecessary trouble" Mr.. Mckee de-
clined the honor of managing team in
the Western city.
The magnates of the Western league
met today at it's headquarters in the
Great Northern hotel for the purpose OF
formally awarding the franchise for the
eighth city. 1t was decided at the in
formal meeting last night that Omaha
was the best place for the franchise
and as Manager Mckee had agreed to
all the conditions of the league, he was
given the privilege. The note from
Mr.. Mckee was a complete surprise.
There was strong feeling that Grand
Rapids would retain the franchise after
the refusal of the Omaha representa-
tives to take it, but from the number
Of times Henry Strobel, of Toledo, was
called into the room where the nesting
was being held it was evident that the
application of the Ohio city had many
friends. These two cities were appar-
emily the only two remaining in the
race. None of the ball men in atten-
dance would discuss the matter, how
ever, beyond the statement that moth
ing definite had yet been decided upon.
What the inward meaning of Omaha's
withdrawal is, was the subject of much
speculation. Mckee is confessedly a
Spalding man, and it was limited,
though no one would admit the truth OF
the rumor, that behind it lay plan
for the placing of a Western league
club in Chicago with Capt. Arson as
its manager This phase of the matter
was suggested to Mckee today, but ne
claimed there was not the slightest
foundation for such a report. He said
his decision not to accept the FRANCHISE
for Omaha was made because he did
not see his way clear to fulfill the con-
dftions imposed by the league. In
speaking of the matter he said
I'm the first place all the good play
crs in the Western league are disposed
of, and it would be impossible for me
to get a good team together, and even
then. this being it's initial year, it would
Of course be a tail ender. would have
to build new grounds, besides paying
ID the Indebtedness on. the franchise.
[ figure that it will cost me $4,000 be-
fore we play game, and then there
is a bond for $4,000 which will have
to be given All in all. it is too tough
a proposition for me to go against"
1t was finally decided that the ques-
ton Of awarding the eighth franchise
should be left to committee of three,
OF which President Johnson Is to be
one, which will give the matter careful
study and report its findings to the
members of the league by mail: A
mail vote will then be taken, and the
much-mooted question settled for three
years at least. The next meeting Will
take place Feb. "a, in Kansas City.