The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-09
An EIGHT-CLUB CIRCUIT
The Orioles and Senators Dropped
From the Big League.
CIev Gland and Louisville Teams AS"
H0ught Ip-The hnRncrs VIII He
Franchise - Great secrecy Attends
the Meetings of the MnGnatcs.

NEW YORK. March s-After deliherat-
ing all day the national baseball magnates
reached "A definite conclusion at midnight.
Eleven clubs signed an agreement. by
which the circuit is reduced to eight clubs.
Freedman was absent. but his representa-
tive, Fred Knowles. was there. He re-
ceiyed no authority. however to put the
club on record, but from what was said by
his friends. Freedman viii sign the agree
ment tomorrow morning
compromise was effected. by which all
four retiring clubs will receive pretty near
ly what they rave asked for II was les-ned
that Louisville will get $4,000; Cleveland.
$4,000; Baltimore. about $4,000, and will
sell all Of its players later.
The Washington club retires for $4,000.
but all Of the players will go to the League
The climax was the result OF wiling
ness to break ground on the part OF Freed
man. Brush. and Sodon. who have been
holding out against these prices for some
time past. 1t can be said. therefore, that
the Brooklyn Baltimore syndicate has won
quite victory. and that Freedman did not
succeed in carrying everything before HIM
As soon as Freedman signs the agree
ment he will be expected TO strengthen
the New York team. The Brooklyn club
will add De MontreviHe McGinnity, Kit
son. and Sheckard TO its list. McGraw and
Robinson, Of Baltimore are wanted by
several clubs in case Freedman refuses to
buy them. The magnates were in very
happy frame Of mind after adiourning and
said everything would be settled tomor-
row.
Instead Of trying to reach terms with
ha ii alyg hg involving the sale
Of players franchises. leases, and other
assets, Chairman Brush said 1t was ad-
yised by the committee to decker for the
purchase Of their franchises alone, allow
ing each club to sell its players TO the
best advantage, while the League would
assume the leases Of grounds and other
obligations.
Brush said the committee had expert
enced no trouble with Louisville and rec
commended that $l0,0C0 be paid for that
franchise Before Brush could proceed fur
Their there was a blockade and on motion TO
take recess the magnates went down into
the corridors. Hanlon representing the
Brooklyn Baltimore syndicate. whispered
something in Brush's ear and in few
minutes the circuit committee went into
another session. The Wagners, who own
the Washington Club, with their attorney,
soon called before the circuit committee
and asked for their final terms. They said
that they had never changed their original
offer, S46, 500. for everything they owned
in baseball, but they were willing to de-
duct from this amount $500 that they had
received from the Boston Club for players
Dinneen Freeman. and Berry.
The committee pulled and hauled to no
avail. 1t was suggested that the Wagners
take something for their franchise after
turning over their lease Of grounds to the
League, with the additional privilege OF
selling their players within sixty days.
The Wagners could not see this at all and
would not bulge.
As the Wagners came out, the big
four OF the Brooklyn Baltimore syndi-
cate went into the star chamber. After
a long session. Abel, Won der Horst. Han
Ion, and Ebbets made this final PROPOSE
ton
We will sell our franchise in Balti-
more for so much cash. reserving the
right 10 sell our own players and our
lease Of Union Park 10 whomsoever We
may see fit
While the amount named by the syndi-
cate was not given out officially. it was
said to be less than 100000.
1t was said that the committee was
pleased with the fairness OF the big four. -
Robson. representing his Cleveland fran
chise, once again informed the committee
that he would not sell for less han $4,000
He was told to guess again. When the
circuit committee adjourned three hours
had elapsed. il turned out that Brush
Soden and Freedman were a unit on max
ing fight against paying a cent more than
$4,000 for each franchise. and it was de-
clded to convene the League again at S
o'clock to beat down prices.
Freedman, Brush. and Soden were then
in a more conciliatOry mood, and the
agreement outlined above was reached.