The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-17

MIR. Brush Is of the Opinion That 1t
Is Desire of the Majority of the
Club Owners to Cut Down the
Number of CIubs-BaltimOre May
Enter Serious Objection - Other
Three Are willing to Go.
league magnates abruptly closed their
five days session at the Fifth avenue
hotel today, after having been in con-
ference for a little over an hour. The
adjournment was taken with the under
standing that they were to he called to-
gether in the near future to listen to
report to be made by a special committee
appointed to provide ways and means for
the reduction of the league circuit. The
committee consists Of John T. Brush, of
Cincinnati; James Hart, of Chicago; Col.
John I. Rogers, of Philadelphia, and A.
H. Soden, of Boston.
According to the expressed views Of
certain of the magnates an eight-club
league Is now almost a certainty. The
appointment Of the committee In question
means that the majority of club owners
are DESTROYS to see the reduction in the
circuit. The question has now narrowed
down to one CT how much money will he
necessary to buy off the four clubs it Is
desired to drop. The clubs in question
are Louisville, Baltimore, Cleveland and
Washington. It is with the owners Of
the Baltimore club that the committee
expects to have its only serious trouble
This franchise is owned by the Brooklyn
Baltimore syndicate, consisting Of F.
Abel, Charles Ebetts, Harry Won der
Horst and Ned Hanlon.
At the meeting just closed the magnatcs
saw fit to make things rather unpleasant
for the observation-disclosures contingent
price named for the Baltimore franchise
has jumped several points.
AS to the Washington franchise, which
| is held by the Wagners, 1t Is believed
| that the owners have an understanding
with their brother magnates. The power
or the committee appointed today is linn
tied to the arranging Of details only. The
league Is not In duty bound compelled to
| accept Its report, but 1t Is said that so
anxious are some of the magnatss to see
the circuit reduced they will accede to
anything like reasonable terms. An eff
tort Will be made to have the report pre-
scented to the league at g. special meeting
to be held some time in January. John
L. Brush at the conclusion of today's
| session said:
Mr.. BRUSH'S VIEWS.
To-day was the first time that the
magnates have in a meeting discussed
the proposed reduction in the circuit.
Their opinion in the matter Is best ex-
pressed by the appointment Of the COM
mittee. The whole thing Is a matter of
desire and prejudice; desire on the part
Of the majority Of the magnates and
prejudice on the part of others. The
majority wants an eight-club league, If
r 1t can be erected on a reasonable basis
There has been considerable talk to the
effect that a certain set of men will block
the whole thing. Maybe their preju-
dice will Offset the desire. That remains
to be SEEM
For the great amount of time spent
and the amount of talking done, this win
ter's meeting has been productive of
comparatively little of interest to the
public. For four days the Wrigley case
occupied the entire attention of the meet
ing. This and some legislation for the
benefit OF the minor leagues Is about all
OF Importance that has been accomplish
ed
1t is understood that at today's session
Col. Rogers offered a resolution RENTING
the fine imposed on the New York club
| IN the Holmes case. 1t is said the major
1ty OF the magnates disapproved of the
resolution, but, as it would not be made
public in the usual channel, Col Rogers
| was pressed to withdraw his resolution,
| which he finally did.
Secretary Young gave out the news of
| the meeting, but If such a motion had
| been made 1t was not told.
The schedule and umpire questions
We're also brought up at today's meeting
by Mr.. Hart, but they were laid over I'M
til after the report of the special com
mittee is made to the league Mr. Hart
wants schedule calling for 1872 games
Tor each club, in case the twelve-club cir
cult is maintained, and one calling foI
14O games in case of an eight-club league
| next year.
Most of the magnates will leave New
York tonight.