Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-07-20

Reports from nearly all the cities in
the Interstate circuit indicate falling
III in the base ball attendance. The
Sunday games tided the organization
over last summer, and will probably
do SO again Already there have been
complaints of poor patronage, coupled
with threats of transfers of clubs to
other cities, and more may be expected
within asle next few weeks. The wide
disparity in the apparent playing abil-
ity of the leading and tail end clubs
has brought about soreness and in
difference on the part OF that large
percentage of base ball lovers who will
only patronize winning club. so far
as President Howell is concerned, he
must be given credit, whatever else
may be said of his managerial ability
for accepting the situation philosoph-
ically. The Grand Rapids team is to
go to Columbus, and Dayton threatens
to go to Springfield. Neither change
will strengthen the league. AS mat
ter of fact, it will be jump from the
frying pan into the fire. The seasons
for these assertions are SO apparent
to all familiar with the condition of
affairs IN the Interstate, as to make
further comment unnecessary.
The Intelligencer has unfolded its more
or less brilliant annual midsummer
scheme for a divided season, and in antici-
patton of ridicule from Toledo sport writ
ers, has cut loose few SASSY sings" at
the aforesaid sport writers. The Intelli-
gencer thinks a new season would act as
an injection of ginger into the weak clubs,
but this is a rather optimistic view. There
is no good reason for believing that the
tail enders would play any better ball in
the new season, especially the teams in
which the losing streak cannot be attrib-
uted to inferior playing ability. If tail end
teams will brace up and defeat the lead
. ers, the patronage will come. regardless of
their standing in the race. From the
standpoint of true sportsman, it is I'M
fair to ask the Toledo team, which has
won it's standing and prestige in the inter-
state by superior ball playing, to place In
jeopardy the distinction it has gained as
the leading club in the league. 1t would
be manifestly unjust to Toledo if Fort
Wayne, for example won out by a mar
row margin in the second series, and de-
feated Toledo in the play-off for the cham
pionship. With the precedent established
the tail-enders on September LIST might de-
mand another new season for the month
of September, and by engaging a few high
salaried players might win out and cap
ture the pennant in the play-off. Then
next season the matter might be further
complicated with separate schedule for
each month of the season. The infinite
possibilities of the Intelligencer's scheme
unfold themselves, with a little thought,
but there is danger that the Intelligencer
might have to be called in again at the
farther end to bring order out of chaos.
Catcher Twineham arrived in the city
yesterday and will remain here throughout
the winter. According to his statement
he was released by Mr.. Howell for laying
off one day, after he had secured the con-
sent of Capt. Billy Niles. He claims that
Howell fined him all the salary due him,
and he proposes to bring suit for the re-
covery of the money. Twineham regards
Wheeling as the best city in the Interstate
circuit, and says the patronage is very
moor in all the cities