The times., 1899-03-22
news and GOSSIP OF
THE BASEBALL WORLD
Transfer of the st. Louis
Franchise.
The Schedule Likely TO Be Adopted
by Nail Vote.
Freedman and HIS Relations With
the GIants-Colonel Rogers
Talks.


The announcement will doubtless soon
be made of the transfer of the St Louis
franchise, purchased last week by Edward
Becker. to Frank De Haas Robson. I'm
der the wise advice and manipulation of
John T. Brush the much -vexed legal com
plications which for a time threatened
serious trouble have all been Strengthened
out All demands have been complied
with, the stern majesty of the law has
been placated and the baseball atmos-
phere about St. Louis is purified Any
other plan for the settlement of all con-
ficting interests would have proved fu-
tile The courts could not have forced
upon the League purchaser. The con-
tention OF the plaintiffs attorney that
sale would carry with it the right TO a
franchise in the National League could not
have been sustained. Under such circum-
stances the League would undoubtedly
have taken in some other city or else re-
duced the circuit to ten clubs, either OF
which courses the League had perfect
right to pursue.
Under the proposed arrangement St
Louis will have ball club which will
satisfy the expectations of the lovers OF
the game in the Mound City. Mr.. Robi-
sons club is already one of the strongest
in the country and will be further
strengthened as the opportunity presents
Therefore the good old days Of the pen
nant-winning Browns is likely to return.
Arrangements are now being made TO get
together strong team and place ii in
Cleveland, with competent man to guide
its destinies, and the fans of the Forest
City can be relied upon to give it loyal
support II the team stands we'll up in the
race.
With the St Louis trouble thus AMIGA
bly, settled an attempt at pacifcation will
be made in New York. Andrew Freed
man is reported 10 be in better frame
OF mind and no great trouble is antici-
pated in arranging matters satisfactorily.
Freedman has announced that he will do
nothing TO impair the value of his fran
chise or hurt the interests of the League
II is not reasonable to suppose that Freed
man would be willing to sacrifice his val
liable interests in the club upon the altar
of revenge, as has been charged. While
Freedman is impetuous. he is not bereft
OF business sense and judgment He has
been intrusted with business ventures of
great magnitude, requiring the exercise
of rare judgment, and in the performance
of these duties has shown executive abil-
iiy of high order. AS baseball mag
nate however he has been somewhat OF a
failure. Lack of knowledge OF the game
and failure to understand the peculiari-
ties of ball players have been serious
handicaps TO his usefulness. II Mr.. Freed
man would content himself by turning
over the playing end of the business to 4
competent manager. and be controlled by
that persons judgment in all the minor
details OF handling the team. the stock
OF his club would in short time pay
handsome dividends.
President y. f. Young, of the National
League. does not now see any necessity
of holding an adjourned meeting of the
magnstes. II is not desired by any of
the club owners. and unless something un-
foreseen occurs. no meeting will be held.
The amended schedule. which Uncle
Nick" has just completed, as announced
exclusively in The Times yesterday morn
ing, will doubtless be submitted TO the
club owners and adopted by mail vote.
Col. John l. Rogers. OF the Philadelphia
Club and the lawyer of the League" has
broken into print again. He announces
that in his opinion there viii be no change
in the National League circuit this year
and possibly not until 1901, when the pres
ent national agreement expires. Then,
says the Colonel, there will be return to
the old order of things and there will be
two eight club leagues. Here's the words
of the Colonel:
THE National League will adhere to the
twelve-club circuit this year. The two
most important reasons are: According &c
the national agreement there shall be nc
change in the number OF clubs forming
the National League for the term of ter
years. This agreement was signed in 1891
and will hold good until 1901 The secont
provides that no club shall be expelled
from the League for that length of time
except by the unanimous consent of every
club in the League.
The war of words between Presiden
Andrew Freedman and J. W. Spalding, o
the New York Club. is a club affair anC
does not in any way concern the Nationa
League.
''of course it might be possible to pur
chase two of the clubs. and thus dispos
Of their franchises, but this will hardly
be done
IF such we're the case, one club in tn,
East and one in the West would be drop
ped-Baltimore and Cleveland-but / d.
not think there will ever be a ten-club cir
cult in the National League.
THE finances Of the National League
clubs are such that any purchase of club
at the present-is out of the question. A
is well known. last year was one Of tn
poorest known, and nine Of the twely
clubs lost money. All our energies mus
now be devoted TO recouplng our losses 81
as TO be in a good financial position L
launch the new league in 1901.
with the settlement Of the ST. Loul
financial trouble the outlook appears brigh
for the coming season. and am firmly o
the belief and opinion that neither Ne1
York nor any other of the present twelv
clubs viii Be dropped this year. and whe
the 0ppo7tune time arrives the public. In
stead Of seeing a tsr-cIub league. will wit
meas a return 70 the old order Of things
with two leagues Of eight clubs each"
The -. Louis Ball Team.