The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-17
MARST0N.
He Appears to Have
Best Chance For
EASTERN RIGHTS,
Games viii Be Played at
Oval-Today's Meeting

The formal award of the Eastern
league franchise, intended for Worces-
ter, will be made this afternoon when
the special committee appointed for
that purpose, and consisting Of Presid-
ept Powers and Directors Draper Of
Providence and Shean of Springfield,
meets at the Bay State House.
Several new developments in the local
situation came to the surface yesterday
largely through the visit to this city of
Charles Z. Marston of Fall River and
Manager Frank S. Selee. Mr.. Marston,
who has been connected with the game
for-many years, is anxious 30 place
team here, and he brought along Man
ager Selee, q close personal friend, to
look over The ground with him.
Briefly summed UP, the situation as 1t
stood last night, is that the fight this
afternoon will come between Messrs
Marston and Rice. NJ. J. Finn has with
drawn his application and has given
his support to Marston. With Finn it
was a case of anything to beat Rice,
as with Rice it was a case of anything
TO down Finn With Marston the pos
SCISSOR of the franchise, the games will
be played at the oval. Mr., Rice, if ne
gets the local privilege, will start in at
the fair grounds.
Yesterdays developments tend to
show that Marston has the inside track
and feels practically certain to be
awarded the franchise this afternoon If
stories coming from New York are to
be believed, the Eastern league officials
feel very much offended at certai7
statements made in an authorized in
terview with Mr. Rice regaccing the
1EI n ~a.nNA. l. :
which President Powers is the head 1t
has been stated by men in close touch
with those standing high in league
councils that Mr.. Rice Spoiled all his
chances Of success by the statements
that he uttered
Mr.. Marston would not admit that he
was sure of the franchise, but the way
in1Which he went about matters while
mere would lead one to believe that he
knew very nearly where he stood, and
mat he was not worrying at all about
the action of the special committee. 1t
can also be looked upon as rather sig
mhcant that Manager Selee. a very
warm friend of President Powers, is
with Mr.. Marston as his adviser
Inc purpose of Mr.. Marston's
visit to Worcester, prior to today,s
meeting, was primarily to see what he
could secure in the way of the suitable
grounds. Before coming here he was
told the local situation, how the fair
grounds could not be secured on lease.
as they were in the real estate market.
OF the absolute impossibility of getting
the Grove street property, and that the
oval was about the only available field.
He, however, made one last effort to
get the Grove street grounds, and went
out there with Manager Selee to view
the property. Failing in his effort to
locate there, he turned to the oval. and
rode down on the electric cars. and in
spected the field.
Then, by appointment, he met Mr..
FRANK n. BiPelnw who has charge of
the. oval, and talked over the matter
OF grounds. The figures were salts
factory, although Mr.. Bigelow was nm
willing to bind himself as to who should
nave the grounds, until finding the re-
suit OF the meeting. The two gentle
men arrived at an understanding upon
the ground question, and as soon as
Marston gets the franchise the ground
deal will be quickly closed
The Fall River man knew full well
mat some people in this city are op-
posed to the oval, and would much
prefer having the games takes place
on the fair grounds. In fact Mr. Mars
ton would have secured another loca-
ton had any been available In speak
ING to a Spy man on this point, Mr.
MarSton said: From what I have
seen, I should say that Worcester want
ed ball team, and because the games
are to be played upon the oval should
not cause the game to be a failure To-
cally. When the people understand
that 1t is question of the oval or ne
base ball here, L believe they will favor
the oval. AT any rate, 1 have sufficient
confidence in the Worcester public t
take the chance With the electric.
running the other way of the loopbefor,
the games, the grounds can be reached
IN quicker time than any other cities
in the Eastern League, with the single
exception of Springfield, where tn
grounds are unusually well located. Sc,
where Adelaide Park in Providence il
located and up in Toronto there is
10 minute ride in a ferry boat befor
the grounds are reached"
Mr.. Marston considers that he is get
ting an Eastern League franchise a
q ~eheap figure for Worcester, and j
perfectly willing to pay the New Eng
land League the S40o asked for terri
torial rights, as well as posting $50
with the Eastern League that he vii
see the season through.
Manager Rice is by no means out o
the fight. In fact, he is not one o
the kind OF men to give up withou
a struggle He will be present at tn
meeting to further his own Interest,"
and to make an endeavor to secure 70
himself the right to place an Easter
League team in worcester His prin
cipa1 support upon The committee o
three will be William H Draper o
the Providence Club who will un
doubtedly speak at the meeting in ia
vor of Mr.. Rice's claims. Whether Mr.
Diapers appeals. however, bear an!
fruit in the shape of votes for Mr.
Rice, time can only tell
The claim made by Manager Ric
that he can successfully block any dea
for base ball for Worcester, or tha
he has the key to the local situation
as one local paper persists in assert
ing, seems groundless. The $500 pric,
was fixed not by Mr.. Rice, but b!
President Murnane Of the league, ant
in case the franchise is awarded Mr.
Rice, he must pay the S400 to the New
England League. If Mr., Rice and no
the league controls the local situation
what would Mr.. Rice be paying $40
for?
There is still another phase to Thu
situation Mr.. Rice of course, in com
mon with the other club owners of tn