The times., 1898-12-14
THE LEAGUE MAGNATES
They Will Probably Decide on
an Eight-Club Circuit.
THE MUDDLE In ST. LOUIS
Much OF the Session Devoted to the
Won Der Ahe-MuclSenfuss Row
Chris" VIII Have to Settle His
Trouble at the Browns Home
Louisville Ready to Sell.

New York, Dec. 1S.-After a protracted
session at the Fifth Avenue Hotel to-.
night the League baseball men. adjourned
about Il o'clock to meet tomorrow The
rowdy ball question did not come up for
discussion, as the st. Louis wrangle
occupied the attention of the club owners
all day. Indications now point TO re- =
duction of the circuit to ten clubs, and
possibly eight, before next season begins.
The maSnates believe that this move Is
absolutely necessary for the salvation of
the game. While no definite action has
been taken, the situation looks like the
purchase of the Louisville club by the
League and the advent of Robison's
Cleveland team into ST. Louis.
II was one long series of mysterious
conferences with few, If any. official an
nouncements. Nobody, however, denied
that the time spent was in relation to The
muddle In st. Louis, between Won der
Abe and Muckenfuss.
The masnates did not go into session un-
til nearly 4 o'clock. They did a lot of
lobbying In the corridors and tried to fig
ure out way to smooth the Won der Ahe-
Muckenfuss row over. Underneath it all
was deeply laid scheme, which was also
-
realizing that the twelve-club league is
too cumbersome. thought they saw an op-.
portunity to reduce the circuit. Accord
ing to the original plan framed by the
leaders of the movement. II was thought
desirable to get rid OF Cleveland, Louis
vile. Brooklyn and Baltimore. But
how? That was the puzzle. Some
body suggested that Robson might
secure the st. Louis franchise and
take his team there, and that
the other three cities might be induced
to get out. Won der Horst. with his Balti-
| more team, coming to New York, but the
| unsettled state of affairs made it impos-
! s!ble to fix up the Baltimore and Brook
| lyn ends Louisvlle's club. having been
| loser every year since II got into the
| league, expressed willingness to sell out
at stipulated price. That made 1t neces-
| sary to get rid of another club in the
West. so that ten-club circuit could be
arrived at, with ultimately an eight-club
| league In view.
| hose who say they know what was
| in the minds of the magnates declare
| that when Muckenfuss was made re-
ceiver of st. Louis by the court II was
| part of a plan to throw Won der Abe out.
| MuckeEfuss, as receiver. could block
| Chris" and the league, after giving the
| franchise to the former could get Inc
Cleveland team into st. Louis Hart, of
| Chicago; Brush, of Cincinnati and Robi-
| son were reported to be the ones -engi-
| neering the movement and when the
League went into session today these
| men were closely watched. Both Won der
Abe and Muckenfuss were sent for, and
| they appeared before the delegates.
Won der Abe said he was the owner OF
| a league franchise and that Muckenfuss,
as receiver. had possession of the old
| ball grounds known as Sportsmen's Park
| AS, president of the newly Incorporated
ST Louis Baseball Association. Won der
Abe said that he had backing for 100000.
| was in touch with two street railroad
companies and was prepared to build a
| new ground. He also informed the mag
| mates that he had opened negotiations
| with Adrian C. Anson to manage the st.
| Louis club. Chris" said that If the
League attempted to take his franchise
| away and give 1t to Muckenfuss he would
Immediately apply to the courts for an
Injunction.
Muckenfuss began by saying that he
was formerly the president of the st.
Louis club and that when the financial
status of the organization became tangled
he was appointed receiver by the courts.
He averred that the board of directors of
the club. without authority, deposed him
from the presidency and elected Won der
Abe He further showed that the di-
rectors had no authority under the con-
stitution and bylaws to meet unless q
call was issued by himself as president
and that as he had not called a meeting
the action of the directors was Illegal.
Muckenfuss, therefore, argued that he
was both president and receiver of the
club and was entitled to recognition.
Won der Abe and Muckenfuss were ther
invited to go out of the star chamber
i t.f. lpsl.f .l.a /.
motion that Hart, Brush and himself b,
appointed committee to settle the dis
pute between the St Louis belligerents
There was strong protest and the mag
mates finally voted Robson down ant
began to consider the case as a commit
tee of the whole. Those who believed
that Won der Abe should be turned dowi
lost no time in saying SO.
A committee of two. Abel of Brooklyl
and Won der Horst of Baltimore, was ap
pointed to try to bring Won der Abe AM
Muckenfuss to terms. The upshot of
was that the magnates informed Won de
Abe that he would have to go back TO 81
Louis and fight his case in the courts
) Meanwhile it was an open secret that III
majority of the delegates would work o
Abel and Won der Horst SO that the
might be brought around, tomorrow per
haps, and thereby unanimous Vot
e against Won der Ahe can be secured.
The Louisville men declared they wer
, ready to sell their franchise to the leagu
for S5o, 600 cash. but 1t is thought they wi
accent less when it comes to the point.
1t was common report tonight that tn
Philadelphia club would be unsuccessful
( in its attempt to renew Its contract wit
= the League by which visiting clubs haV
in the past received only u IL cents fo
s every ticket of admission sold in Phia
delphia. Hereafter that club will be con
e PEELED, it is said. to give visiting clut
!. half of all the money taken in at tn
d gate
There was no end to stories of deals IL
volving players, but not one of thei
could be run to earth.