The times., 1899-02-12
SCHEDULE MEETING
MAY Be POSTPONED
The st. Louis Situation Makes
Such a Move Likely.
The Ten-Club Circuit Idea Again At
tracing NetiCe.
a-hinStOn imGng the Clubs
spoken of ~ Likely to he Drop
ped From the League.

New York. Feb. 11.-League baseball
men are talking of postponing the schedule
meeting arranged for February IS at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel TO March :. 1t is be-
lieved that a mail vote will be taken on
this point at once. The reason for the
change is the situation in st. Louis. With
the Brooklyn Baltimore deal settled. the
magnates are anxious to have Robson
Clevelands placed in that city, so that the
end of the circuit can be bolstered up.
As the ST. Louis club cannot be sold by
the receiver before March L. it is believed
that il would be better to hold the schedule
meeting after that date, unless Won der
Abe in some way capitulates before then
Edward Becker is reported TO have had
several conferences with Brush Hart, and
Robson. He is the principal creditor of
the ST. Louis club. and expects to buy the
property in at the coming sale. He has re-
ceiyed assurance that the League franchise
will go with the club if he buys but other
wise il will be held up. Tom LOTUS. of
the Columbus Western League club, an
nounces that he has raised a syndicate
which will do some bidding, too. Lotus
is believed to be in close touch with Robi-
son, which may mean that the latter will
protect himself even with Becker in the
field. The postponement of the League
meeting il it occurs. may create a further
impression that the magnates will take
into consideration the circuit question
with more seriousness than al the meeting
! last December. They are in q good posi-
tion TO reduce the circuit to ten clubs, and
! the majority OF them would jump at
chance to lOp off two more cities If ia
| yorable chance should be offered II is a
| fact that several secret moves have been
/ made TO bring such condition of affairs
to climax. and, should certain plans sue
| ceed, it might be in the power of the
! League men to spring a surprise before
I this coming season opens. II they should
find il impossible to induce some persons
10 give way, the head schemers would be
satisfied TO proceed under the old arrange
ment with the idea that another season of
financial disaster for a few club owners
would bring the whole matter to speedy
end
1t would not be a surprise if the plan to
reduce the League membership does not
bring the announcement that the magnates
never had such scheme in mind But
judging from letters and kilograms that
have passed between club owners during
the last two months. with remarks dropped
here and there. there is something of vital
mates may be in the dark. but AT that they
are willing TO admit that an upheaval is
not an impossibility. Wagner of the
Washington club, says that the League
/ circuit will not be changed until three
years from now, when the twelve years
/ agreement is up.
II is pretty generally known that Wag-
ner would consent to withdraw from the
! circuit If he could get his price, which is
/ said TO be eXorbitant by the leaders in the
movement. The same can be said of the
! owners of the Louisville club who asked
/ $4,000 for their franchise last December
and then not finding ready purchaser
! declared that their club was not for sale
/ Whether the Baltimore club owners would
/ ask for bonus 10 withdraw is not known.
although Hanlon is on record as saying
| there Will be no change in the circuit The
F. Clevelands, if Robson gets into St Louis.
would probably offer little resistance TO a
/ change Conservative baseball men say
that in order TO get rid of Cleveland. Lou
1 isville, Baltimore, and Washington, $780,
600 would be required 10 be cut up into
bonuses.