The times., 1899-12-29
AN BIGHT-GLUB CIRCUIT
The National League Committee Al
ready Prepared to Report.
The WriEley Fine Capable of Adj
justment and Several Franchises
for snIe-A Plan Proposed To Buy
Ont the Washington, baltimore,
Louisville, and Cleveland Teams.

NEW YORK, Dec 2S.-The circuit com
mittee composed of Brush, Soden, Hart,
and Rogers, appointed by the National
League two weeks ago to bring about, if
possible, an eight-club organization, could
make a report now, it is believed, if spe-
cial meeting should be called to hear it,
II is understood the committee has been
officially informed that the Baltimore fran
chise is for sale, and that it can be pur
chased upon what are considered reason
able terms. The committee has been fur
tber informed that the Wrigley fine Of $500
imposed by the board Of directors upon the
Brooklyn Club, does not stand in the way
of a settlement, as at first announced by
the Syndicate" The Brooklyn Club has
not yet decided to pay the fine, and it's
ultimate action depends upon Article x
of the League constitution, by reason Of
which the Brooklyn Club is not compelled
10 pay the Wrigley fine until April l. 1900
and il is pretty good betting that the club
will not take action until that date. The
circuit committee is anxious 10 reduce tue
membership of the League before that
time and must incidentally overlook the
fine business II it is desirous of success.
The Wrigley case affects the Brooklyn
Club only, consequently it has nothing to
do with the purchase of the Baltimore
franchise. man who is conversanJ with
the facts said today
While, OF course, we all know that
the Brooklyn and Baltimore clubs are
owned by the same persons, they are sep
arate institutions when it comes to League
membership. The Brooklyn Club has been
fined by the board of directors and ac-
cOrding TO the League constitution, it has
until April l of next year to pay the
amount of the penalty. The club may be
inclined TO pay the fine under favorable
conditions and in the interests OF har-
mony in the League, when the proper time
comes Then, again, the club may take
the case into the courts, where it has
an excellent chance Of winning The Bal
timore Club, on the other hand, having
nothing TO do with the Wrigley case, is
ready to begin negotiations with the cir
cult committee for the sale of its fran
chise The League, as a body through its
committee, can carry on negotiations with
the Baltimore Club regardless of the at
titude of the Brooklyns
The Brooklyn club is in favor of a
reduction, and is also ready to put up its
share Of the money necessary to lop off
Cleveland. Louisville, Baltimore, and
Washington. Such being the case the
League must show its hand sooner than
was at first expected. From what l hear
the Louisville Clubs price is S12,500, Cleye-
land has come down to $4,000, Washington
will settle for S25, 600 or perhaps $50, 600,
and Baltimore is waiting for a proposition
from the circuit committee. II the League
insists upon taking from Baltimore Nc
Graw, Robinson. McGinnity, Howell Kit
son. Holmes Brodie, Sheckard and others,
to be distributed TO the highest bidders
among the big clubs, the Baltimore fran
chise viii bring not less than $50 eco, for
the players named are considered to be
worth at least $4,000. IT, however. the
Brooklyn club is permitted to keep or
dispose Of these players as it may see 1T
II would not be a bad guess to put the
price of the Baltimore franchise at So 0 o."
From what can be learned the League
barring the Baltimore and Brooklyn clubs
IS divided in sentiment. Some OF the mag
mates think the only way to reduce the
circuit TO eight clubs is TO pay the price
asked and allow baseball, thoroughly
cleansed OF the existing evils. to boom.
Other club owners-and they call them
selves Ieaders-are still inclined to use
buildCzing tactics. II the latter element
can carry enough weight the Baltimore
club will be informed soon enough to en-
able IL to remain "a the League, the cir
cult being reduced TO ten clubs. By a
juggling of the schedule and other meth
ods the Baltimore and Brooklyn clubs will
be forced 20 lose money in the two years
vet 10 be lived by the League before its
dissolution Then those Two clubs can
flock by themselves. while an eight club
League. composed Of Boston. New York,
Philadelphia, Washington Chicago, Gin
ciunau, Pittsburg, and St Louis, viii be
organized.
But as the League well knows, if such
a plan is put into effect there will be
rival organization and another war more
birtel than the conflict with the Brother
hood in 1890 If two such cities as Brook
lvn and Baltimore were available az the
present time the movement started in the
West a few months ago TO establish
league would now be bearing fruit.