Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-08
LEAGUE WASHELD UP
Internal Chickering'S Prevented Mag
mates Getting Down to Work.
DELEGATES MADE LOVE 10 FREEDMAN
Officially Announced That Fine in
Holmes Case IS tos Be RENTED.
GENERAL SPORTING NEWS

---s.--
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star
NEW YORK. March S.-The first days
deliberations of the National League solons
on the various circuit reduction schemes
we're productive of nothing hut disappoint-
ment. Thrice the 'nagnates met and tried
to do business. and an equal number of
! times they adjourned, the last postpone
| ment being until clock today
Two reasons were given for the circuit
reductions committees failure to place its
report before the league. The first was
that President Freedman, after being voted
the remission of the $1,000 fine in the
Holmes case, with interest from the day it
was imposed, had refused to stand his
share of buying out Baltimore and Wash
ington, amounting to about $1,000. The
other reason for non-action was caused by
the Observation-Disclosures people, who abso-
lutely refused to attend any of the meet
.ngs until certain expenses incurred by
them were honored by the reduction COM
mittee.
Frank De Haas Robison's recent presence
in Baltimore was at once explained.
Through his kind offices and advice the
Baltimore owners had secured a new lease
on Union Park and had also signed McGraw
and Catcher Robinson at greatly increased
salaries. The Baltimore men demanded
that all this extra expense be guaranteed
them before talking business. Robson also,
it is said. presented a generous expense ac-
count. But when the circuit committee re-
fused to allow these bills, and stated that
Robson had been acting altogether with
out authority from the league tho st. Louis
man and the Baltimoreans went up in the
air together; so that all attempts to do BUSH
ness. with the exception of renting Freed
mans fine were given up In disgust. All
the time, therefore, before reassembling ,this
afternoon will be devoted to restoring some
semblance Of harmony. These unexpected
complications make the final outcome of the
session about as clear as aqua Potomac
Wagners Remain Quiet.
Through all this turbulence the Wagners
are not saying word. They have their
reputation to sustain for never getting left,
and when they get ready to jump it will
probably be on the right side Of the market
financially speaking. The Wagners, by
the way have not failed to bring along
Lawyer Frank Elliott, who has been their
counsellor since Brotherhood days. To al
requests for news Earle Wagner simply
says he knows nothing more than that the
committee has his figures.
An interesting rufnor in connection with
circuit reduction is that, In case Washing
ton Is dropped, Arthur Irwin will head the
stock company that is to place an Eastern
League club at the capital. Irwin had
tbree-year contract with the Wagners as
manager, but voluntarily relinquished IT IN
order to promote District suburban
scheme. When the latter changed hands
the Undersigned and thrice-released man
ager of Washington clubs was landed out
side the trenches
Richter COmmiserates Washington. J.
Editor Richter of Sporting Life, one OF
the promoters of the opposition associa-
ton, was on hand yesterday. There were
times when the editor was greeted more
io1Iy l>1,tI n ofoS
all discouraged Blythe failure Of the asso-
citation. and predictedthe movement would
gather great strength the coming season..
Speaking Of Washingtons present status IN
the base ball imbroglio. he said:
THE greatest mistake the magnates are
making in their efforts to reduce the cir
cult is the proposed Punishment or the
capital from an organization paradng as
a national body. Washington, as Is well
known. is a better patron OF amusements
than any city in the Union Of twice Its
population. But you have to give 1t good
attractions. and this applies especially 10
the national game Washington is a nat
ural base ball city. Not only does 1t ENJOY
the advantage of having as residents 25.OOO
to 10000 well-paid government employees,
but also has a great floating population
and leisure class. Even its big department
stores. l understand. close early enough in
summer season to allow their employees
recreation In the way of base ball without
losing more than half to an hour of time.
Where Washington was once considered
only a good 25-cent town, l nave 1t from
Mr.. Wagner that since he gave the public
improved accommodations his former ad-
missions of IS per cent 25-cent and 30 per
cent 50-cent had been exactly reversed
within few years. and that, in fact. Wash
ington had developed into good, high
priced ball town. If the league does not
see fit to hold such good territory l want
to make the prediction that before next fall
Washington will be represented by first
class team in the new American Associa-
tion.
This prediction was concurred in by half
dozen well-posted base ball men.
Yesterdays published statements to the
effect that Director Conant Of the Boston
club had had a serious row with President
Freedman as the result of trying to bring
the latter gentleman into line were vigor-
ously denied by Mr.. Conant this morning.
From an attendance standpoint of base
ball men the league meeting was a colos-
sal failure. Not only were newspaper men
unusually scarce, but the old crowd Of
players and managers was absent. Ma
were Keller, Dahlen Daily and Alex.
Smith. President Powers of the Eastern
League, Manager Barnie, ex-Manager Tom
Burns and Umpire Connolly about covered
the number of prominent base ball men
outside of the major league magnates. The
last six months Of quarreing and pickering
have unquestionably hurt interest in the
deliberations of those responsible.
President Powers of the Eastern League
was present only to gather what crumbs
might fall from the major league table.
Such generous crumbs as Washington and
Baltimore the honorable Patrick was look
ing for.
Not one of the big eight" magnates but
admitted that Washington, with good
team. will prove a great ball town. Such
was the spirit of MISREPRESENTATION, how
ever. that each carried blue pencil ready
to mark the capital off the map.
They were seated In'the corridors, talking
about the influence Iof Sunday base hall on
the national game. lie
What do you figure IT. costs the Boston
club year. Mr.. Soden. to refrain from
playing Sunday bang qBeried Col. Rogers.
Just about $4,000 fordthe sake of prfn- /
ciple.'' replied the Restanian. And what
does 1t cost Philadelphia? 2"
Not cent less.f queth the colonel.
And very little credit we get for trying
to run the game on. a. high plane"
Harry O'Hagan. who learned to play ball