The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-14
NATIONAL BALL LEAGUE
FIGHT OVER THE ST. LOUIS CLUB
WORRYING TIE MAGNATES.
Many Hours Spent in Discussing the
Claims of Won Der Abe and Muck
enfuss-NO Decision.

NEW YORK, Dec 13.-There was an I'M
usually large attendance of club representa-
tives and others directly interested in the
welfare of baseball throughout the entire
day at the Fifth-avenue Hotel. Very little
business was transacted by the National
League, the difficulty being the dual claim
for representation by the st. Louis Baseball
Club. Chris Won der Abe claimed the right
to represent the Rough Riders" at the
meetings of the board of directors and the
annual conclave. B. S. Muckenfuss, who
was appointed receiver for the st. Louis
club by the Circuit Court of St. Louis, was
the other claimant for recognition.
The board of directors met shortly after
noon. Won der Abe and Muckenfuss were
both present, ready with bundles of papers
to substantiate their relative rights to rec
ogntion, but the other directors decided not
to recognize either and adjourned the meet
ing indefinitely pending the action Of the
full meeting of the delegates. After delay
of four hours, during which there was q
great deal Of lobbying done, the annual
meeting was called to order and both of the
St. Louis men were requested to leave the
room. Both complied and a session of two
hours duration failed to bring about any
solution of the problem. Another adjourn
ment resulted in a further delay of three
hours.
During the interval the national board of
arbitration held a meeting, at which the
appeal of Pitcher William Carrick was taken
up. Carrick formerly was signed by the
Newark, n. j., club of the Atlantic League,
but as the club had not paid his salary he
signed with the New York club and pitched
five games for it last season. After the case
was fully gone into and discussed the board
decided that the Newark club was not en-
titled to any further claim on his services
and Carrick's appeal for release was
granted, which makes him member OF the
New York aggregation No further business
was transacted and the board adjourned to
let the other meeting proceed.
1t was nearly 10 o'clock when the annual
meeting was reconvened and the Won DER
-Muckenfuss matter was again taken up.
1t was discussed thoroughly tor TWO hOurs
and half and when, at 1880, the meeting
adjourned no decision had been arrived az.
Won der Abe and MuckenfuSs were nnally
admitted to the meeting room, but 1T was
decided not to allow them to vote. MucKen-
fuss claims that as receiver he represents
everything pertaining to the club ON the
other hand, Won der Abe says that the
franchise from the National League IS not
an asset of the Sportsman Park and Clup
of St. Louis, of which Muckenfuss is the
receiver. Chris bases his right to represent
the ST Louis club on this point and the
delegates are evidently not in any hurry to
settle the question by recognizing either
man.
It was said tonight on good authority
that if Won der Abe gains his point there is
plenty of money behind him, and again II
MUckenfuss is successful there is a we'll
backed syndicate ready to buy the club. No
matter what action may be taken, st. Louis
will certainly get the club franchise and
baseball will be played there in the National
League during the coming season.
All sorts Of rumorS were afioat as to deals
for the purchase trading or buying of the
three New York players, Rusie Meekln and
Gleason, but no definite offer could be To-
Gated The meeting will probably last for
the remainder of this week.