The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-26
Mr.. BRUSH PESSIMISTIC
AT LEAST ON BASEBALL PROSPECTS
IN INDIANAPOLIS.
MaGnate'S Return from New York
Cincinnati Closes a Deal
for Setback.

John r. Brush returned to this city from
New York yesterday. He was asked last
night what had been accomplished at the
National League meeting in the way of
strengthening his various baseball prop
critics Well" said Mr.. Brush, 1.-The only
thing I can tell you in the way of live
news is that we have secured Selbach from
the Washington club to play in Cincinnati
next season. To-day all arrangements were
completed, and contract was sent to Sell
bach"
Mr.. Brush declined to say what Cincinnati
paid for him. "If / wished to give any
figure at all it would be the correct one"
said he, land for several reasons do not
wish to say anything about price in this
connection; however, you may say that he
came high, and may be considered a pretty
dear Christmas present to the Cincinnati
club
us there any truth in the report that
Harry Vaughn is to be traded for some
other player"
mo, sir" replied the magnate, there has
been nothing done toward taking Vaughn
away from the Cincinnati team.
Are there any other deals under consider
alton for the transfer of any players from
the Cincinnati club?'
L
"But if there were I would not say anything
about it, for the reason have always made
it "a rule to say nothing about contemplated
deals for players until they were closed,
and the matter finally settled
what will be done with the Cleveland
st. Louis deal?"
THAT is something | know nothing
about" returned Mr. Brush. There will be
cha in he eit
at least"
rs it not a fact he was asked, that
when the question of the ownership of the
ST. Louis franchise has been settled in the
courts Frank De Hass Robson will take
his Cleveland team to ST. LOUISE"
THAT is something which / have not con-
suited Mr.. Robson about" replied Mr..
Brush "The only interest 1 have in St.
Louis is that of an official of the National
League which is not proprietary one at
ALL"
What about Indianapoliss chances for
National League team next summer"
THAT is something / do not care to dis
cuss at this time. For the present the proper
person to speak to with regard to the futufe
of the indianapolis team is President Colt.
Mr.. Brush then became somewhat pesSlmlS-
tic regarding the Indianapolis team ana ltld
bare condition of affairs which has never
been known puDucly before. II COulu NC
gathered from his conversation that he be-
ieved there is an organized plan on loot IN
this city TO break up professional oaseoal.
Said he: -,
Il win say this to you, in connection with
the Indianapolis club, that there is little env
couTagement offered for any one to engage
in the business in this city. In almost any
other business where man VIII invest cap
ital conditions are more or less stable, Wnlle
dianapolis team show there is such an UNI
certainty to be calculated on here that 1t
amounts to almost prohibition from en-
gaging in the game. Take, for instance, on
the old Seventh-street grounds, where the
club had erected a grand stand and ana
other necessary buildings. The players had
hardly established themselves there when
certain opponents caused measure 10 pass
the City Council to cut q street or an alley
through the park to drive the club from
that location, II you go out there now you
will find that other than the street or alley
which was cut through there has been no
improvement made on me properly. Inc
club then moved to Ohio street, where IL
again erected grand stand and went TO
other expense, and played for few years,
constantly harassed by attempts to dive IT
elsewhere These attempts have finally sue
ceeded, and the other day 1t was ordered
that street be cut through this park.
would not these conditions be changed,
Mr.. Brush, if the club was to buy its own
grounds?"
.As to that am not prepared to say. but,
judging from past experiences, / should say
that there is no way that the financial back
eTs of the Indianapolis team can secure i'm
mufiity from these improvers of property"
You undoubtedly know of the case now
before the Supreme Court as to the right
of the club to play Sunday games in this
city asked the reporter.
well. all / know of it," continued Mr..
Brush sis what have noticed in the Jour-
''supposing that the Supreme Court de
cides in favor of the club. and that it Will
be possible to have Sunday bali next sum
mer will there be a National League club
in this city,"
Il must refuse TO answer that question:
said Mr.. Brush there are so many con-
tingeneies TO be considered in the matter that
anything which might be said at this time
might prove TO be incorrect when Tine came
for fufillment'