The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-01-10
ST. LOUIS CLUB.
John T. Brush Denies That He Has
Purchased It.

INDIANAPOLIS Qnd), Jan. 9.-John
L. Brush, being asked to-day by a rep
resentative of the Associated Press if
had purchased the St Louis Baseball
Club, replied that neither himself nor
his friends had bought the property.
Being asked if there was any prospect
of such a purchase on the part of him
self or his friends, he replied emphati-
cally that there was none Being fur
Their asked to explain his recent VISIT
to st. Louis and Mr.. Won der Ahe's visit
to Indianapolis, he said: Early in De-
cember Mr. Won der Abe appealed to
me for financial aid. Upon his state
ment and showing, I endeavored to
handle loan that would place him
upon his feet again, but found 1t i'm
possible and impracticable to do so.
He then offered the club for SALE
Il secured for him a prospective pur-
chaser in the firm of Messrs. Dickson
& Talbot of this city, who were willing
to buy his club if it could be delivered
to them free of incumbrance at their
price. Messrs. Dickson & Talbot, while
having no immediate experience in
baseball, are undoubtedly well qualified
to succeed in this enterprise if they
should engage in it, as they are en-
dowed with the dual requisites, ability
and money. While it is true that a To-
cal syndicate has long been organized
in St. Louis TO purchase the franchise
at figures which have been made pub
lie, Messrs. Dickson q Talbot have been
in no sense competitors in their negotfa-
tons. They have only entered the field
when invited to do SO, which has been
upon several occasions, and have al
ways retired whenever impracticable
barriers arose or conditions imposed
that rendered 1t impossible to continue
negotiations.
THE financial affairs Of the club are
in such condition that it is going to be
a very difficult matter for any one to
buy and get clear unincumbered til
tie. Suits, judgments, mortgages and
claims (known and unknown) make 1t
extremely hazardous to buy, and the
refusal of Dickson & Talbot to longer
consider the matter is due to this fact
You are criticised in some quarters
for connection with this matter upon
the ground that you are buying the club
on your own account and that Dickson
anu ldlDOl 10 not represent the UIldIl-
cial interest"
Yes, / know, but that makes no diff
ference to me since it is wholly and alb
solutely untrue. / have an interest in
the welfare of the National League My
desire to foster and promote it's best
welfare may not be any greater than
that of my partners in other league
cities but / do feel that II is equally as
great. ST. Louis has been the disap-
pointment of the present organization
Any change that will ensure the re-
demption Of st. Louis to it's proper place
in the front rank Of baseball cities ought
to have the encouragement and support
of every magnate in the National
League. Anything that may do within
the lines of legitimacy to accomplish this
/ will do regardless of the criticism Of
the few whose stock in trade consists
mainly of jealousies and revenge The
National League owes it to itself to
furnish whatever assistance 1t may con-
sistently with propriety in restoring ST.
Louis to something like its former prest-
ige on the baseball map.
Mr. Won Der Abe asked me for as
sistance; Messrs. Dickson aid Talbot
invited me to aid them; my efforts have
simply been in the interests of both and
ultimately for the general good of the
National League"