The Worcester spy., 1899-12-17
A SMALL CIRCUIT
The Action of League MagnateS
Practically Assures Sweep
ing Reduction
SPECIAL COMMITTEE
WILL REPORT
Baltimore Franchise the Only
Real Stumbling Block in
The Way of Deal

New York, Dec. 16-The National
base ball league magnates abruptly
closed their five days session at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel, today after hay
ing been in conference for a little over
an hour. The adjournment was taken
with the understanding that they were
to be called together in the near future
to listen 10 a report to be made by a
special committee appointed to provide
ways and means for the reduction Of
the league circuit.
The committee consists of John T.
Brush of Cincinnati, James Hart of
Chicago, Col. John l. Rogers of Phila-
delphia and A. H. Soden of Boston.
According to the expressed views of
certain of the magnates, an eight-club
league is now almost certainty. The
appointment of the committee in ques-
tion means that the majority of the
club owners are desirous of the reduc-
tion in the circuit.
The matter has now narrowed down
to how much money will be necessary
to buy off the four clubs it is pro-
posed to drop. The clubs in question
are Louisville, Baltimore, Cleveland
and Washington. 1t is with the own
ers of the Baltimore Club that the
committee expects to have it's only se-
rious trouble. This franchiseAis owned
by the Brooklyn Baltimore syndicate,
consisting of F. A. Abel, Charles Eb-
bitt, Harry Won Derhorst and Ned
Hanlon. At the meeting just closed,
the magnates saw fit to make things
rather unpleasant for the Brooklyn
Baltimore contingent, and as a result,
it is whispered that the original price
named for the Baltimore franchise has
been jumped several points.
AS to the Washington franchise,
which is held by the Wagners, it is be-
lieved that the owners have~had an
understanding with their Brother mag
mates. The power of the committee
appointed today is limited to the ar
ranging of details only. The league is
not in duty bound compelled to accept
its report, but it is said that, so anx-
ious are some of the magnates to see
the circuit reduced, they will accede
to anything like reasonable terms. An
effort will be made to have the report
presented to the league at a special
meeting to be held some time in Jan
uary. "
John T. Brush, at the conclusion of
today's session, said: To-day was the
first time that the magnates have in a
ton in the circuit. Their opinion in
the matter is best expressed by the
appointment of the committee The
whole thing is matter of desire and
preJudice-desire on the part of the
majority of the magnates, and pre-
judice on the part of others.
'The majority wants an eight club
league, If it can be effected, on a rea-
Sonable basis. There has been consid-
cradle talk to the effect that a certain
set of men will block the whole thing.
May be their prejudices will offset the
desire. That remains to be SEEN"
For the great amount Of time spent,
the amount of talking done, this win
ter's meeting has been productive of
comparatively little of interest to the
public. For four days the Wrigley
case occupied the entire attention of
the Solons. This and some legislation
for the benefit of the minor leagues, is
about all of Importance that has been
accomplished.
The schedule and umpire questions
were brought UP at today's meeting
by Mr. Hart. but they were laid over
until after the report of the special
committee is made to the league. Mr..
Hart wants a schedule calling for 1872
games for each club in case the 12-
club circuit is maintained and one call
ing for 140 games in case of an eight
club league next year.
AS soon as the meeting was adjourn
ed, the majority of the magnates made
preparations for their home going.
Most of them will leave the city to-
night.