The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-24
BASEBALL
Sageeeae@eee@es eeaGGs
Reduction Is Assured.

Preliminary arrangements for the re-
duction of the National league circuit
from II to eight clubs were effected at
a secret meet held at the Bartholdi
hotel in New York just after the adj
journment Of the league session. The
conference was attended by Frank de
Haas Robson of st. Louis, Gus Abel
and Ned Hanlon of the Brooklyn-Bal-
tirnore clubs and Harry Pulliam of the
Louisville club,
At this gathering was achieved what
certain members of the league have
fought fer during the last two or three
years, and, considered in the light of
what 1t will develop, it was the most
important meeting held since the In
dianapolis agreement went into effect
eight years ago.
The contamination OF the plans out
lined will put into being an eight-club
league, and restore the game to the
popularity on which it rested during
the days when baseball was the king of
sports.
The terms proposed, it is understood,
are not meant absolutely to be con-
sidered final but they form an ex-
celent basis for future negotiations.
These were the plans agreed upon:
The Baltimore, Washington, C1eve-
land and Louisville clubs will with
draw from the circuit for a consdera-
ton of $165,000. Of this sum Baltimore,
Washington and Cleveland each ex-
poets to get an equal share, or $4,000
each. Harry Pulliam announced at the
start that the Louisville club was will
ing to withdraw for a consideration Of
$4,000. The sum of $165000 is to be
paid in two years by the rest of the
clubs, or. in other words, by Boston,
New York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn,
Chicago, Pittsburg, St. Louis and Gin
cinnati. Everything in the way Of as
sets will be turned over by the four
clubs to the league-players, franchises,
leases of grounds and all privileges, in
short everything that goes to make up
q ball club.
No one of the eight clubs interested
will be permitted to draft any player
from these clubs before the final adj
justment of the circuit, and this will
preclude, for instance, the possibility of
Brooklyn getting McGraw or Robinson
from the Baltimore club until the agree
nent Is reached. 1t will preclude the
possibility of the Robinsons disposing
OF any of their players in the Cleveland
club, and, of course, the same condi-
tons will prevail as regards Pulliam
and Wagner.
In explanation of the plan outlined it
is asserted by those interested that,
although the sum mentioned seems ex-
orbitant on the face of it, the league
will not lay itself liable for more than
$4,000 or $4,000. Dividing the amount,
each club will not have to finally pay
more than $500 a year.
It is expected that the players in
VOWED in the transfer of the fou1 clubs
by the league will bring ABOUT $500.
The others assets, such as what the
franchises might bring if sold to the
minor leagues, and leases stands and
privileges, are expected to yield not less
than $4,000, and probably more.
Mr.. Robson satisfied.
Mr. Robinson, after the meeting at
the Hotel Bartholdi, expressed himself
as perfectly satisfied that the circuit
Would be settled in a short time. He did
not wish to discourse very extensively
on the meeting held in room 81, but he
admitted that the conference had Teen
more successful than he had hoped
for.
I'VE are now in a satisfactory way
for settling the circuit said Mr.. Rob-
inson, as he emerged from the ROOM
"Of course, it would be a breach OF
faith to publicly discuss the exact terms
on which we are willing to sell out to
the league. One thing IS certain,
though. We are willing to sell; all of
us are. The league is willing to buy,
and there you are. Could anything be
"The whole thing is nothing more nor
less than a business proposition. We
have something to sell ana ASK fair
price for it. Every magnate in the
league is willing to contribute to the
success of the undertaking. I know
that Mr.. soden viii pay his share. and
I also know that Mr.. Freedman will
come to the front Whatever objections
one might have against Mr.. Freedman,
it is undeniable that he IS q god Gus
ness man. He knows what we all do,
that If the circuit is reduced all the
clubs will make more money than they
have done in the past, and why then
should not some one be bought out to
attain this object? 1t is simply like
taking money out of one pocket and
putting twice as much in the other
1.-THE Baltimore magnates are will
ing to withdraw, and SO Is Earl Wag-
ner of Washington. Louisville is ready
to 60 any time. and I can speak for
Cleveland Should I drop out of Cleve-
land that city might be good territory
for an American league club"
Arson Is Sanguine.
Arson has at last become somewhat
less guarded in his movements, and
now no doubt exists that mis- presence
in New York at the recent meeting is
in the interests of the new association.
That it will be formed and doing bust
ness by next spring he positively as
serts. What he is after now is to Sc
cure harmony with the National league,
and Of this he has no DOUBT, for" says
he, eve can. show the strength, and
that makes the matter EASY. We are i'll
position to dictate terms, and league
men are not such fools as to engage in
a war which would do them as much
harm, and probably more, than us. The
conditions are very much different from
the Brotherhood organization, and
good, healthy rivalry will be the source
of rejuvenation of baseball general
ly."
.'Can you get all the players you
waDt?' he was asked,
More. We propose to be allowed to
negotiate for men when their contracts
expire, and will have no trouble to get
enough well-known players to put
strong clubs in each of our cities. Then,
besides, it takes only two years to de-
velop new players, and by that time
It remains to be seen which body viii
be furnishing better ball.. One thing
is sure. The public is opposed to see
ing the game monopolized by the pres
ent league magnates and will welcome