Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-15
MAGNATES WORK IN SECRET
National League Directors Are Holding
Lengthy Executive Sessions.
CLARKE TO MANAGE PITTSBURG TEAM
Boston PeonI Deny They Are Going
TO Sell or Release Herman Long,
the veteran Shortstop-Drey-
fuss RcIcnscs Donovan.

NEW YORK, Dec n.-At the rate at
which the National league is doing the work
II will not be completed for several days tc
come. From present appearances it Is
scarcely probable that the annual winter
meeting will have been completed by Satur-
day and 1t may run into next week.
at is possible, yes, probable" said one
magnate tonight, that the league may ad
jouru until next spring without having de-
cided many of the questions before It, There
are matters under discussion that are of
such Importance to the general welfare CT the
national game that we are simply compelled
to handle them with the utmost care. To
hurry matters along faster is simply impos-
sibe The honor and integrity of base ball
to certain extent are at stake. At the
proper time the public will be made ac-
quainted with what we have been doing,
but at the present ticne absolute secrecy will
be maintained"
The Board of Directors again monopolzed
things, as 1t did on Wednesday, For six
hours the board was in executive session.
At the close Of the meeting President Young
said
THE Board of Directors has completed its
labors and cleared up all the business before
1t. What action has been taken or what
matters were discussed at today's session
cannot be made public. The public will
get all the information necessary when the
board makes its report to the league meet
ing tomorrow"
Young announced that another meeting Of
the national board of arbitration had been
called for tomorrow.
At the conclusion of the regular meeting
the league will be convened. The announce
ment of another meeting of the arbitration
board Is significant fact and 1t was whis-
pered about touight that the directors would
require the national board to reconsider GER
tain questions. When pressed on the subject
tonight one of the magnates said: THE
board has been called together to consider
come matters which have arisen. What these
are l cannot say"
May Review WrigIey wrangIe.
1t is said the board will be asked to re-
view its action in the New York Brooklyn
Syracuse wrangle over Wrigley. That
It is the Wrigley matter that has proved a
thorn and has taken up the major portion of
their time for the last few days is unques-
toned That Brooklyn was guilty of the
charges made in the New York manage
ments protest the directors have already
decided. 1t is the question of punishment
that is proving difficult for the solons to
decide.
opinion as to the reduction scheme Is di-
vided among the outsiders. Some believe
that the circuit will be cut at all hazards
while others believe that the league will
go on next season with twelve clubs Still
others say that two clubs, Louisville and
Cleveland, will be dropped. DR.. Lee Hunt
Stuckey, the controlling spirit of the Louis
villes says that his franchise is in the
hands OF the league. He will continue or
get out at its pleasure. DR.. Stuckey
proposes that the league control and hold
the franchise and in return give him GER
tain percentage of the gross receipts.
1t is said the Board of Arbitration will
soothe the minor leagues by agreeing to raise
the drafting price from $500 to 81, 900.
That Fred Clarke will manage the new
Pittsburg team is now a settled fact. Patsy |
Donovan, the former manager, and President |
Dreyfuss had a conference today, at the |
conclusion of which Dreyfuss promised an |
unconditional release providing Clarke |
agrees
The rumor that Boston was going to sell |
or release Herman Long was denied by the |
Boston people. They say that Long will !
only be allowed to go in case a trade can
be made, by which Boston can get Longs
equal