The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-02-27
robson WILLGET ST. LOUIS
HE WILL RECETVE THE FRANCHISE
FROM M LEAGUE

prepared Tor the annual spring scnedule meet-
ing. which will begin at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel tomorrow. II. r.. Nonderhorst Of the
Baltimore and Brooklyn clubs was the first ar
rival and he was followed closely by John r.
Brush Of the Cincinnati Club and Frank De
Haas Robson OF the Cleveland Club. which may
be transferred to st. Louis. Nonderhorst
met Brush and Robson at the Hon.
man House by appointment and they
kept up a quiet confab until long after
midnight. Whether they discussed tho circuit
question or not could not be learned. and all
three expressed the belief that no reduction to
eight clubs could be made this season. This
policy has been followed by Brush ever since
the meeting last December, but II does not
mean that an attempt will not be made during
the next four weeks to push the scheme
through. When Brush was asked about tho
circuit problem. hU said
From the situation A. ] view IL there WILDE
twelve clubs. | cannot see how any reduction
can be accomplished. Personally ] am indif-
ferent as to whether n change is made or not
This Ia what Robson said about the matter:
Don't ask me anything about q reduction OF
the circuit. for / know nothing about the mat
ter"
Brush was more talkative on two other SUBJ
jects. however. tho St Louis middle and his
new measure iutendedto give additional power
to the Board of Discipline.
There Is only one solution to tho trouble
in 81. Louis he remarked. and that concerns
the ownership OF the franchise when the st.
Louis Club has been sold at auction on March
IA. According 10 the constitution. articles of
which were quoted in to-day'S SUN. the League
has tho absolute power to say who shall con-
troll the franchise. 1t makes mo difference
who buys the club atauction, the League will
decide the ultimate ownership OF the privilege
to play ball with League teams In st. Louis.
No court. corporation oNconcern can compel
man to take a partner in a business venture
who ia Objectionable. In that case no person
can force himself upon the League unless he is
accepted by n three fourths vote. All the bid
ders for the st. Louis Clubs franchise must
come through the same avenue. which'is open
to them. but the League has final power to
make a selection"
"Then the League will give the st. Louis
franchise to Robson. after the club has been
sold by the receiver
You are going ahead too fast, was Brush's
reply. But. If the League should decide to
make such a disposition of the franchise it
could do 30 without fear OF legal complica-
tons"
Will Won der Abe beTecognized as the legal
representative of the st. Louis Club at the
meeting on Tuesday,"
How can he be? He>lost his suit for recoG-
milton In the courts and recently elected him
self President OF the Sportsman'S Park and
CluD Dy voting STOCK IudL rlBnUluIy DeiOnES 10
Edward Becker. his chief creditor. When
Becker loaned ST.. 900 or more 10 Won der Abe
some time ago. he received about l 100 shares
OF the clubs stock as security. Later Won der
Abe gave to him q new certificate made out in
Becker's name. When the Notwithstanding
was called the other day Becker and Mucken-
himself President with the LOO old shares
that Becker received in return for financial
assistance. Becker controls the Sportsman's
Park and Club beyond a doubt; and II Mucken-
fuss asks 70 represent him at the coming meet
do You believe that Tom Lotus will try to
mo" laughed the Cincinnati magnate.
Beck of Detroit madewhen he said he intended
difference whether he bids or not; the League
will have the entire say'as to who shall get the
From these remarks it is apparent that Rob
ison will be forced into 81: Louis, no matter
son was asked whether the Cieyelands would
play in II. louis or not; he replied; mohoau
WHO will manage the now ,Clevelands if
Tebeau goes 70 =. Louis with the old team p
pnIhat's ..an9ther s2aundr@mr responded
HfRe essrdiing and the f Board e az Bisci bin matter.
The committee having the report in charge.
Chicago and myself. will present it to the
League with a unHnimouS Endorsement. 1t
to the resolution adopted last year At st. Louis
'fe al5n 3osSfn tbyst on ad tHG niaIG poWer 6 ICES st " W 10
the Board of Discipline. but regarding its
sSs9pe pls 40 19 he fars IL he say Ye aEythi fE until = has
will say, however. that | expect little or no
trouble In HAVING the report adopted after the
Just as determined to continue the fight for
clean 6ase9al as eyer and intend TO keep up
oughIy purified. There are no two ways about
it. Either the League must stop T0wdyism or
nnaDlV Hlynpntp II VhAra IL "a Iuhlip hAnnnH
for fair sport. and until it is established the
club owners caqnot hope fr generoHns patron
What do you think Of the report Of, the
recommends the renewal OF the lining sys-
1N"ihayen't read the report with care, but so
pathy with it., l believe fines will encourage
SShla ayers ns to % kick sRains IN d oGd as There
offence a player should be ordered out Of the
game. However. shall be better posted after
] have heard the matter discussed at the meet
I am in favor OF adopting the, proposition to
EbSbtison; "pr9NytdinE it is within reason
Tor the benefit oithe game fhaIIfl vote Tor IT,
When asked about the talk Of reducing the
From present indications / think that it
will pc i'm possible to do, it, 1t is too cqmpli-
B issI i'm Tt.I%S aShi fGaGf G q i and md t 70 8!
put mp what might be termed big money, SO
FAR as the Baltimore Club is concerned, The
Sun can say that we intend to remain in
the, circuit for three years to come. and
perhaps longer. Personally ! am in favor
OF continuing the present circuit of twelve
clubs. as it appeals to. me as the best
method of protecting the interests OF profess
,sional baseball in this country. OF course | do
not say That the Baltimore Club cannot be pur-
Bile to buy anything If one can pay the price.
The Baltimore Club IL worth so much, money
not receive the full value for their property
they will hold on 70 it. know there is Il de-
sire onthe part OF some OF the League men to
out tho circuit down, but | hardly believe that
can be fixed up at the coming meeting or In
time to begin the season with an eight-club
membership. In Baltimore we have made
preparations to continue in the League circuit.
and ] see no reason why we should desist even
temporarily"
"Wha do YOU think Of the rule Instituting
the old system Of fning ball players who act in
adlsorderly manner ON the ball iielI;' the TO-
porter asked.