The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-07
NATIONAL LEAGUE CIRCUIT.
Hart of Chicago Does Some Very
Pinin Talking.

Rumors are stll rife that some OF the
leading owners of the National League Base
ball clubs are exerting eVery energy TO re
duce the circuit from twelve to ten, AMI
possibly to eight clubs, and that matters have
nearly reached that climax when two OF more
of the second division clubs may drop out at
any time.
james A. Hart. the head Of the Chicago
club. who is at the Waldorf Astoria for a
few days, freely discussed the baseball situa-
tion when | saw him today. Hart belongs TO
what is known in National League politics. as
the big Three the other two composing
it being John T. Brush of Cincinnati and
Frank De Haas Robson OF Chicago.
From Hart comes the first off isl informal
ltion as to what the ruling faction. Id by
John I. Brush. cventua ly intends to do with
the present New York club unless there is a
change of policy in managing the team Mr..
Hart forgets that there rs sucD parsonage
as Anorew Freedman, and openly i1timates
that II matters continue as they are NV the
club will De dropped from the circJit IN 1901
and iraLcnise granted TO other pa es. Tle
agi cement signeo by the present tweiy clIl q
of the league at Indianapolis at tn close o.
the fight against the American associat on
will have then expired.
The situation in New York Is d.plorahe >
said Hart. No one ctgrets II any moro m N
/, There must. however. be an end % a. TIE
other clubs are. OF course. heihess % do any
thing for the present but VIZ tous measure IS
can be taken thee years hence. The Chieago
cub 10 willing TO play 10 ompty pcpches AZ
the Polo grounds during that time. and the
other big clubs are ling to do the same
At the expiration OF the Indianapolis teree
nient the league viii be reorea nizsd with
partners who are In. every way harmonious
with one another And thea visiting tlubs
TO New York viii begin playing profitable
engagements
Regarding the reduction of the circuit tnis
season. Hart sail:
Il do not think the number OF clubs will
be reduced this year. as no one Will be bought
out, For a club to voluntarily retire would
be suicidal. inasmuch as 1t would lose ali OF
/ its assets. including players aud franchli e
BY sticking II out until the end of the ieason
the clubs that are marked TO so eau lis
pose OF their best players TO other league
and still have left enough men as the pucle a
of a team in minor league.
! II have Just received lstter from Barn ~
I Dreyfus president of the Louisville G ub in
! which he SAYS that I'D to the present time
his team has drawn more money than II did
last season for the same time and that miad
you. without playing single Sunday game
40 far whereas for the same time last year
! the Colonies had played three Sunday eon-
tests This would indicate that Louisville
will stick the season out.
Before the season opened IL looked as II
Cleveland aud Baltimore would retire. but
Baltimore is doing unexpectedly well and
/ making money The Cleveland club will wor-
4 ~ along and It's owners will stand the
losses
| N be losing a moment OF sleep because or
/ The mans OF the Western magnates lie r.
| fiIses 10 discuss the constant attacks that are
/ being made upon him. but IL was said that he
| Ia hiding his time and will. before the close
4 ~ the season. have remarks to make which
I .,itl give Mr.. Hart something worth taking
| urdsr careful confederation.