The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-15
MR.. MUCK" IS ON TOP
CHRIS Won DER AHE WORSTED IN
HIS BASEBALL FIGHT.
Receiver of the st. Louis Club Admit
National League High Court.

NEW YORK, Dec. 14-"Mr. Muck" as
Chris Won der Abe scornfully calls the man
who has created such fuss in St Louis
baseball circles has won in his fight against
the German 'magnate." The representa-
of the twelve clubs that make up the Ma
tional Baseball League spent the whole of
yesterday and until past midnight in trying
to settle the differences between Won der
Abe, and Receiver B. S. Muckenfuss, of the
st. Louis club. Each of these claimed
that he was the sole and only representative
of the st. Louis organization, and insisted
on being recognized at the meeting as the
clubs delegate.
Long before the hour set for the meet
ing to-day nearly all the representatives
were on hand at the Fffth-avenue Hotel,
talking and lobbying, but came to no def
mite understanding on the st. Louis ques-
ton. Colonel John 1. Rogers, of Philadel-
phia, brought Won der Ahe and Mucken-
fuss together and suggested that they, should
work in harmony. He asked Won der Abe
TO allow Muckenfuss to vote on all matters
which might come before the meeting but
Chris obdurate and said Il will not
allow any man to vote for me. l am the
president of the St. Louis club and hold
the franchise. If l am not allowed to vote
Muckenfuss can't do so. l will fight it out
in the courts if 1 am not recognized here"
There the matter rested until this after
noon, when after session of an hour and
half the delegates, by a vote of to 2,
recognized Mr.. Muckenfuss as the repre-
sentative of the ST. Louis club and then
adjourned until tomorrow. During the meet
ing Messrs. Abel, of Brooklyn. and onder-.
horst, of Baltimore who had been
mittee to try and bring the two
ST. Louis men to an amicable arrange
adopted. Won der Abe and Muckenfuss were
both present when the vote was ,aKen and
the clubs which stood by Won der Abe were
Baltimore and Brooklyn. The New York
Boston, in favor of Muckenfuss.
AS soon as the secretary announced the
vote and the meeting adjourned Won der
Abe said: well, am not down and out by
any means and will fight it out in the st.
Louis courts. cannot be robbed of my
rights and don't intend to stand by idly.
You bet l will come out on top when this
thing has been properly adjusted"
After the st. Louis matter had been dis
posed of the board of directors went into
session and formally awarded the pennant
emblematic of the championship of the past
upon the treasurer's report for the year
and decided a claim made by Chicago
against the st. Louis club which dispensed
with the services of First BaSeman Decker,
who was loaned to them by Chicago with
the understanding that the player would re-
vert to the Maroons at the close of the sea-
son. In July last while in this city, the
St Louis club released Decker, who signed
with the Louisville club, and the board of
directors to-day decided that st. Louis
should pay Chicago $500 for the loss of
Deckers services and Decker will remain
on the reserve list of the Louisvilles.
Late tonight the national board of arbi-
tration held a session. at which several
cases of interest to minor organizations,
but not of great Importance, were passed
upon.
During the day there was the usual talk
clubs, but only one trade was contaminated.
This was between President j. T.. Wagner
and Manager Arthur Irwin. of the Wash
ington club. and President w. w. Kerr, of
Pittsburg The Senators exchanged Henry
Reitz for Padden. SIagel and O'Brien.
Harry c. Pulliam and Barney Dreyfus
of Louisville, made no secret of the fact
and they We're expecting Vanderbeck of
Detroit to arrive to-day with that amount
The Detroit man did not put in an appear
ance, and the rumor was general that the
league would purchase the Louisville club
as well the St Louis one. thus reducing
is matter which will come up for consid-
some of those who profess to have inside
Information say that the Cleveland fran
chise will be transferred 10 St Louis and
that Baltimore and Brooklyn viii be bought
out so TO make next years an eight-club
circuit. How the magnates are going to ac-
tional agreement which has vet two years
TO run. was a much-discussed question to-
day. and all persons interested look for
some surprises at to-mOrrOw's meeting