The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-24
OUTLOOK FOR BASEBALL
The Proposed Organization of a
National Association.
Prospects for the inauguration of
Successful Rival 10 the Big League
parent Lack of Money Motives
That May Prompt the Promoters.

A meeting was recently held at Baiti-
more for the purpose of organizing rival
association TO the National League, at
which Thomas F. Mccarthy. representing
Boston; A. F. Koch and Frank Richter
representing Philadelphia; C. s Hevener
and Joseph .. o'Brien, representing Chi
cago; Phil Peterson and Harry Goldman,
representing Baltimore, and H. D. Quinn,
representing Milwaukee, were present.
They are the moving spirits in the enter
prise. 1t is the announced purpose of the
promoters to organize a league to be com
posed Of eight clubs TO be located as fol-
lows: Boston, Philadelphia, Milwaukee,
Chicago, Baltimore, and st. Louis. Wash
ington, it will be noticed, is not included
in the scheme; nor was this city repre-
scented at the meeting. 1t was stated, how
ever, that Washington, Providence Pitts
burg Louisville. Buffalo, and Detroit had
made application for membership. 1t was,
among other things. decided that all cities
desiring membership in the new organiza-
ton would be required to deposit with the
treasurer $1,000 as an evidence of good
faith.
All this seems to be continuance of the
scheme of last fall and winter. Thus far
nothing has been done in the way of ac-
complishiGg the desired ends; nothing
tangible. nothing hopeful. nothing that has
an air of business about it. The whole af-
fair seems TO be a play to the grandstand,
SO to speak. There are too many men
among the promoters who are believed TO
be actuated by selfish or vindictive motives
-Inen who are plethoric in suggestion, yet
impecunious in a money way-who do not
inspire confidence with the general public,
which is expected to furnish the patronage
that will give life to the scheme.
When these gentlemen get together and
raise, say, S150,0G0 as a starter. rot by
pledges, but by actual deposit in some re-
liable bank. then IL would have the APP
pearance of business
Muesy McGraw, who spent several
weeks last fall visiting different cities,
attending meetings and in other ways in
forming himself of the true situation. alb
ruptly abandoned the whole scheme, say
ing there was nothing tangible behind it,
and as he expressed it, that it was only
an eruption Of hot air. Mack is not Civ
ing the scheme the slightest encourage
ment now
AAt HtOpoSitloU 10 require each OF the
cities named to deposit $4,000 with their
application for membership, as an evil
dence of coed faith. amounts TO nothing.
There is not ore of these cities that
could organize a club, provide grounds.
and erect q grandstand for less than
$4,000 This is a conservative estimate.
and this money would necessarily have to
be invested before game could be called
in the spring. This amount of money
would be required even in cities where
grounds and grandstands are already pro-
Yided
The public. doubtless. is in the humor
to patronizs rival TO the big League.
but they will demand full equivalent for
their money, and unless the promoters
Of the new organization can convince them
Of their ability TO furnish what they want
and that. too. in the face OF a powerful
and wealthy monopoly that will contest
every inch Of ground. they cannot expect
a generous support.
All the talk about the magnates' bad
treatment of the public and the ball play
ers is cheap and deceives no one, as it
is known that these gentlemen are also
after the mighty dollar, and to obtain
IL they would resort TO the same means
and possibly others more obnoxious.
There is no doubt that the time is au-
spicieus for the organization OF a strong
rival to the National League, and If men
of capital and business experience would
take hold of the matter success would |
probably attend the enterprise.