The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-25

w
club ridicule the story telegraphed
from Syracuse to the effect that Scran-
ton and Wilkes Barre are to be thrown
out of the league in favor of Roches-
ter and Jersey City. They say the
deague directors have no legal nor
league rights to,contemplate, much less
attempt, the execution of such a plan.
While the owners are uncertain as to
next years Scranton plans, the men
whose money is invested in the club
are astute and experienced business
men and would furnish some lively
entertainment for President Powers,
Irwin and Kuntzsch, the ringleaders
in the funny business.
IA sample Syracuse story is the fol-
lowing, which was telegraphed from
that city and appeared yesterday in
the Wilkes-Barre Record:
1t transpires. that the alleged meeting
OF the Eastern league Steinert Cup COM
inittee in this city on Wednesday evening
was simply a blind to cover up what APP
pears to be a conspiracy. Billy Lush was
here to represent Toronto ostensib.y
while it was supposed Arthur Irwin was
not present, but in reality he was in Sy-
racuse closeted with Franklin, of Buffalo;
Kuntzsch, of iris city, and President
Powers. 1t was mutually agreed between
-tsvs big four that Wilkes-Barre and
Scranton were to be thrown out of the
league circuit for 1898 and Jersey City and
Rochester taken in as their successors.
This conclusion was agreed to beyond all
question and George Kuntzsch corrobor-
atcd the story this morning.
1t is known that Powers instructed each
one of the big four to remain close
mouthed about the scheme but Kuntzsch
was questioned by interested parties this
,N.,gl III,
was the expected movement at the next
meeting of the league. Syracuse newspa-
per men are posted on these developments
and do not hesitate to characterize it as
an unfair and unparliamentary proceed
ing.
Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, they say,
have met every obligation and continued
in the circuit under the most discourage
ing circumstances and do not deserve
such treatment. They also state that the
Eastern league law and constitution viii
not permit of any such high handed ac-
tion, while the courts should unquestion-
ably enioin the league from taking any
such steps upon petition of Scranton or
Wilkes-Barre. Jersey City is considered
a less desirable team than either of the
members of the anthracite regions while
Rochester is regarded as a sure winner
with Sunday ball.
Concerning next years prospects of a
base ball team, no conclusion will be
reached by the owners for several days.
but If they do drop their league fran
chise and interests it will be in part
at their own terms and inclination and
not at the dictation of the league. The
financial business of the present sea-
son will be concluded during the next
few days and after conferences with
Manager Griffin, who last night reached
here from Providence with some of the
players.
ONE DETERMINED FACT.
One fact is fully determined: Neither
Mr.. Parke, the president, nor Mr.. Shep-
herd, of the Scranton board of direct
ors, will be identified with base ball
here next season. Their withdrawal
will make it probable that, If continued,
the Scranton club will play Sunday
games next year, whether the Brooks
brothers and Mr. Simpson are identified
with the ownership or not, as it was
only through the wishes of Mr. Parke
and Mr.. Shepherd that the club has
played no Sunday BAN in the past.
These two gentlemen began their base
ball experience with the distinct un-
derstanding and agreement that no
they We're interested in the club.
1t has cost the club nearly SO, COO not
10 play Sunday ball, as that sum very
nearly represents what Scranton's
share of the proceeds would have been.
If such a large amount had not slipped
away from the club treasury and if the
scruples of the two directors had not
been such as they are, there might
now be no thought of dsposing of the
franchise or changing ownership. FL
nancial loss Is the only reason for the
present condition of things. The own
ers, while not anxious to make money
out of their venture, did not anticipate
the loss Of barrel of money Perhaps
they didn't lose a barrel of it, but it
would take quite a tidy sum to reim-
burse them for the actual loss.
The thanlIlessness of the base ball
business and the lack of integrity pos
sessed by the majority of the men in
terested in the clubs, is shown in the
alleged present movement to fire Scran-
ton bodily out of the league. Fortu-
nately it isn't possible to do that, but
what sweet and beautiful act of hon.
or that would be in view of the Scran-
ton owners pluck as contrastad with
that of the quailng Rochester big three
MIN rs soon as tne nrSt signs OF
trouble overlook them, threw their
franchise into Montreal and are now
pulling wires to sacrifice Scranton. But
Scranton won't be sacrificed; if the
local owners drop out of the business
1t will be done in businesslike way.
MR.. FOWLER'S PLAN.
Charles Fowler, of the board of city
assessors, and a few kindred spirits
would like to see the Scranton franchise
owned by a stock company. They
have secured the sanction of the pres.
ent owners to an effort to secure a
hundred subscriptions for stock at SIS,
per share with a prospect of gaining
control Of the franchise. The owners
have not bound themselves to sell, but
gave their approval 10 the preliminary
plan Of Mr.. Fowler and his friends il
anticipation OF a possible change IN
ownership. There is an understandings
that Mr., Brooks and Mr.. Simpson would
assume quite a holding of stock in cas-,
the Fowler plan matured.
At all events there will be no definit,
aftion taken until the affairs of the as
sociation for the present season ar,
settled.
C0UGHLlN HOME FOR THE WINTER
Scranton hos Nias lau.aIs NJ. A.