The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-03
A TEAM FOR WASHINGTON
The Eastern League Urged to Take
in the Capital City.
VI embers of the National Circuit Fear
the Consequences If This City and
Osition to BE Submitted-rhe Big
Magnntes Brought to Terms.

NEW YORK, April while not aware
Of the fact that the Eastern League OF
Professional Baseball Clubs was not falling
over itself in an effort to take in Balti-
more ard Washington it was natural for
the magnates OF the National League 10
feel surprised when they learned on Sun
day that President Powers circuit would
not be altered except perhaps by the sub
stitution Of Hamilton, Ont, for Hartford
So when the Eastern Leaguers met in the
Fifth Avenue Hotel this morning, ready 10
declare in favor Of dropping all negotia-
tions for Baltimore and Washington, there
was manifested a feeling of relief among
the delegates that was not apparent at
their previous sessions
1t looked like plain sailing then, and
the delegates were soon listening to he
report of their specially appointed circuit
committee regarding the situation The
proposition from the National League was
rejected, and it was voted that the offer
to the latter body of 81 600 a year for the
Baltimore lease and franchise together
with similar amount for the Washington
territory, was fair enough. As this offer
Detl lsuDTtl GuQ the Dig League WOULD
make no concession, the Eastern Leaguers
were about ready to wash their hands OF
the whole business when something hap
pened. new circuit committee. consist
ing of resident Powers William Gait, of
Toronto and c. 7. Shean OF Springfield
had just been appointed to decide between
the applications of delegations from Hart
ford and Hamilton when a telegram was
handed to President Powers. II came from
tee. and read something like this:
For gracious sake don't do anything rash Have
written TO other members Of th.. committee, and
may be able 10 offer more agreeable terms III.
Eastern must have Baltimore and Washington
This showed the big Leagues hand in
an unexpected way. and President Powers
still loyal, asked the Eastern Leaguers -
wait. A vote was taken and II was d.
cided that if the National Leagde did not
submit satisfactory terms inside OF forty
eight hours, the Eastern circuit would
consist OF eight cities but that if the
terms should be acceptable, the circuit
would be increased to ten clubs In
word, the Eastern League will not allow
itself to be Inconvenience at all in mat
ter that could have been settled long ago.
The delay has caused much bitter feeling
and as one of the delegates put 1t:
ITS simply another case OF trimming.
The National League men want 10 trim
everybody except themselves, but in this
case We will not submit"
Even after the forty-eight hours leeway
had been granted there were few Eastern
Leaguers who believed that fair terms
would be offered by the controllers Of base
ball, and they were willing to predict that
Baltimore and Washington would be left of
he baseball map as far, as their league is
ague, without
BaltInlv-o aIn. a can be made
very strong inasmuch as Hartford and
Hamilton were represented at todays
meeting by responsible men, who showed
that interest in those cities is booming.
President Powers said the schedule i'll
be ready In two weeks, and that the sea
son will open April rs. He also stated
that the umpires' appointment and sala-