Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-01-02

| tleman tonight and it throws much
additional light upon the eight Grub
league scheme recently hinted at IN
New York at meeting OF the base
7 ball magnates. Air. Dreyfus says sew
l,arai offers have been MADE for the star
pIayel. Of the Louisville club. the
| consideration OF the deals ana their SET
| tlment VIII be made at the annual
| meeting of the stockholders next week.
More important than this, however,
is the statement, unequivocally made
for the first time, that the eight club
league scheme is a reality and that It's
consummation hangs on the decision
OF the ST. Louis courts. which will be
MADE this week, in the case Of Muck
enfuss VS.. Won der Abe. If the courts
decide in favor Of Muckenuss and
thereby Dust Won der Abe, there will
be but eight clubs in the league, and
Louisville viii not be one OF them.
The league has already made an oner
for the Colonels with certain provisus,
and the local mRgnates have practically
| agreed to the terms.
If the courts of ST. Louis decide in
favor of Muckenfuss, the Cleveland
team will play in the Mound City.
Louisville and Washington viii be
bought cut and abolished, and the Bal
tlmore team will play in Brooklyn,
thereby reducing the league to eigAt
clubs. If Won der Abe wins his suit
and he is kept in power by the St. Louis
courts, then the reduction deal Will be
blocked and the Louisville club Will
probably dispose of some OF its star
players. 1T can be said, however, that
the magnateS expect the courts TO de-
eide in favor OF Muckenfuss and they
have already made arrangements 1cr
meeting of the heads OF the eight
clubs interested.
While MIR. Dreyfus would not so in
to details regarding the offers from
the Eastern clubs, he admitted that
the New York and Philadelphia clubs
We're the ones that seek the Colonels
best players. He also admitted that
one OF the offers was $4,000 for OUT
tielders Fred. Clarke and Charlie DeX-
/ ter. Mr.. Freedman also made an oIer
of $4,000 for pitcher Cunningham
Philadelphia has also made offers for
Clarke, Dexter and kittredge. NagCe
and Clingman are also sought by LHe
Eastern magnates. 1t is stated that
the local owners can dispose Of four
or five of their players to the New
York and Philadelphia clubs for alt
least $25, 600.
Whether the Louisville stockholders
Will decide to dispose of these players
is question which will not be answer
co until the annual meeting next week.
In the course of an interview. Mr.
Dreyfus said to the Associated Press
representative:
MIR. Freedman wants Clarke and
Dexter | offered him Dexter for
Rusie. but he could not see it that way.
Instead he offered me Rusie for Cum
ningham. ! could sot see that Lcnia-
vile would have any the hest of that
trade and | refused ! consider Cum
ningham, all things considered. one of
the best pitchers in the league.
But We all know that New YORK
must be strengthened if we expect TO
make any money.
Brooklyn is to have a great club,
and New York will not draw dies I'M
less the Giants are strong. We all re-
alize this and as we All want to make
money we want to see New York
strengthened. With a strong team in
New York and a fierce rivalry between
New York and Brooklyn, every team
in the league will make good money,
no matter whether the respective clubs
make money at home or not Now.
YOU see, strong pressure has been
brought to bear on US. ii was also
brought to bear on Washington. Earl
/ Wagner has sold Setback for $4,000 TO
Cincinnati. Selbach was the star play
er of the Senators. You can see now
the wind is blowing.
Yes" admitted Mr.. Dreyfus "ihe
deal for an eight club league is still
on | may as well admit it, Every
thing depends on the coming suit q
Won der Abe against Muckenfuss,
which will be tried in the St Louis
courts the coming week"