The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-08
NATIONAL BALL LEAGUE
MAGNATES AT THEIR ANNUAL
SPRING SCHEDULE MEETING.
"Ducky" Holmes Case Settled by Pay
tng the New York Club 81 .OOO-The
Proposed Circuit Reduction.

NEW YORK, March z. - The National
League magnatesH began their annual
spring schedule meeting at the Fifth-av-
enue Hotel to-day. After three unsuccess-
full attempts the magnates got into sesI
sion shortly after o'clock in the evening
and adjourned at $50 p. m, to meet again
at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning The ma
tional board of arbitration will meet at
that hour, and. following the boards ses-
sion. the magnates will begin their confer
ence. According to President N E. Young
the magnates spent their entire session to-
night in discussing and passing on a reso-
luton resembling the $1,000 fine imposed on
'Ducky' Holmes case. President Young
said the following resolution had been
adopted without dissent:
Whereas, The interest in baseball
throughout America Is influenced to some
degree by the condition in the city of New
York, the metropolis of the United States,
and.
Whereas, The decline in interest in the
above-named city is mainly due to what
the New York management believes to
have been an unjust and unwise discrim-
nation against Its interests through the
action of one of its duly organized boards,
and,
''Whereas, The New York club manage
ment, Notwithstanding said discrimination,
has at an annual expense of many thou
sand dollars protected the National League
and American Association from the disas-
trous consequences of rivalry of oppo-
sition leagues by retaining control of Man.
haitian field and by refusing tempting Of
fers inimical to the interest of the league
and baseball in general; now, therefore, in
the interest of the sport and in the interest
Of justice and harmony within our organ
ization. and In recognition of loyalty I'M
der adverse conditions, be Ii
Resolved, That n. +. Young be directed
to pay to the New York club from any
funds in his custody as treasurer of the
League $1,000 with per cent interest from
Aug. 15 1898, to date"
The matter was really settled by mail
vote some time ago, and the New York
management received its check several
days since. To-night's action was merely
formal ratification. Holmes was a New
York player, but was allowed to go to Bal
timore. In game at the Polo grounds. 1t
was alleged by the local management,
Holmes made some remarks offensive to
spectators. The president of the New York
team insisted upon the removal of Holmes,
the umpire, acting under instructions. re-
fusing TO grant this demand. New York
forfeited the game and was fined 81, 000
keeping up the fight ever since and winning
out.
At to-day's meeting there were present
A III. Soden, w. II. Conant and j. b. Bill
lings Boston; John l. Rogers and AL
Washington; Fred NJ. Knowles. New York;
James Hart, Chicago; Barney Dreyfuss
and ". w. Kerr. Pittsburg: f. De Haas
Robson. ST. Louis; Stanley Robson. Cleve-
land: John T. Brush. Cincinnati and Harry
Pullam. Louisville.
The Brooklyn-Baltimor Syndicate" F.
a Abel, Charles Ebbetts, Harry Won der
Horst and Edward Hanlon. did not go into
the meeting until just before adjournment
The Boston people, who have since Mr.
Freedman refused to attend the meeting
voted his proxy. declined to do so to-day
and Mr.. Knowles, the secretary of the To-
cal club, was sent to represent Mr.. Freed
man.
Mr. Rogers, of Philadelphia, met Mr..
Abel early in the evening and asked him
If IL were true that he was standing spon-
sor for a rumor that the Philadelphia mag
mates were opposing the proposed circuit
reduction because of the Leagues action
last year on the gate-receipt question. Mr..
Abel denied authority for the rumor. and
he satisfied Mr.. Rogers, who, before re-
turning TO the meeting, declared that Phil
adelphia favors an eight-club circuit. The
majority of the magnates expressed the
hope that the eight-club league will be
rallied. Mr.. Hanlon, however. says il will
be ten clubs or he will miss his guess. Ac-
cording to Mr.. Wagner, Washington wants
$40 500 for its franchise in case the League
reduces the circuit.