The times., 1899-03-25
ST. LOUIS EXPELLED.
A Lively Time mt Yestcrday's Meet
ing of the Magnates.


ing of the Magnates.
New York, March 24-one of the hottest
meetings of the National League of Pro-
fessional Baseball Clubs took place at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel today Two Of the
delegates became so warm under the col
lar over the ST. Louis case that they came
to blows, and were separated In the nick
of time. Edward C. Becker, who owns not
only the controlling interest in the st.
Louis Sportsmen's Park and Club but is
also in possession of the organizations as
sets purchased recently from G.. A. Gruner
for 5000. sent in petition to the mag
mates asking that he be formally recognized
as the rightful owner of the st. Louis fran
chise. At a late hour tonight the St.
Louis club was expelled from the League
The matter came up first before the
board of directors of the League. which at
the last meeting recommended the expul-
sion of the st. Louis club. Becker was
called before the board and was asked
whether he was willing to pay the Chica-
go clubs demand of 81, 900 fer the release
of Decker and 81, 200 in back dues. Becker.
it is said, declared that he knew nothing
about these items and stated that he was
the legal owner of the club and an appli-
cant for a new franchise in behalf of the
American Baseball and Athletic Exhibi-
tion Company, which Is expected to run
baseball in st. Louis in the future. When
Becker had declared himself he was asked
to withdraw. Then James A. Hart of the
Chicago club, moved that the directors
recommend to the League that the st.
Louis club should be expelled for non-p pay
ment of dues The motion appealed to all
the directors, except John l. Rogers, OF the
Philadelphia club. Hart said to Rogers:
What is your reason for objecting to
this motion?''
q have no legal objection" replied
Rogers, but do not think it is policy
why not?" cried Hart, who was grow
ing warm.
THE resolution is not worded properly.
1t is not legally put together
"Bosh." calculated the Chicago president.
IF | offered the Lords Prayer as resolu-
tion here you would have an amendment.
What do you mean, anyway, by such be-
| havior? Are you looking for graft?'
"All I can say is that this is false posi-
tion," roared Rogers, who was pale with
| rage.
do you mean to say that lie when
| say it is the proper move to expe! the
club?' the Chicago man yelled.
IF you want to infer that. you are at
liberty to do So" replied Rogers.
IF you really mean that" said Hart,
| ''I'll punch you in the face
II mean it, roared Rogers, who was
| ready to roll up his sleeves.
With that Hart jumped out of his chair
and made rush at the Philadelphia mag
nate. He threw in a rght-hand swing
which grazed the Quaker's jaw, and was in
the act of landing a left hook when Rogers
put his hand to his hip pocket, it is said,
and shrieked:
"If you come step nearer l will kill
you."
You wouldn't kill a fiea." laughed Hart
| who by this time was blocked off by the
official stenographer and President Young,
the latter saying:
James, please do not hit the colonel. 1t
would be shame"
| The row broke up the directors meeting
and the magnates came down into the cor
| ridor to cool off. In an hour the League
went into session, which continued late
| into the night
| At / o'clock this morning the St Louis
| club was expelled, as originally proposed
| by Brush. Of Cincinnati. at the meeting
| last month. The vote was ten to one.
| Rogers still holding out. This means that
| the Clevelands will go to st. Louis and the
| former st. Louis players will go to Cleye
| land. Robson and Becker understand each
| other thoroughly. 1t is said.