The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-25
BASEBALL LEAGUE PLANS
The Meeting of Magnates in New
York Without Result.
Washington and baltimore the
Split - The Springfield Franchise
Not Tor SHIe-President Powers Tn
able To Dictate-Bic cities Doubtful

| NEW YORK. March 24.-The delegates
to the Eastern League meeting at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel held a secret confab Of
| four long hours and adjourned TO meet
| again next Thursday, after first agreeing
to preserve an air Of niNsteIy when ques-
| toned as to what had been done. Possibly
one of the reasons why the delegates did
not care to talk YVES because the Eastern
| League just at present is in quite a fix
ever the chance to admit Bait more and
Washington to the circuit. While p. 7.
Powers wanted to make leom Tor the new
members, who have but recently been
dropped by the National League. he is
meeting with obstacles that are AT present
hard to surmOunt, and for that matter some
OF the delegates are rather inclined TO
proceed with the circuit they had last year.
In order to admit Baltimore and Wash
ington. and at the same time avoid a
+ ten-cluo circuit, Powers had figured that
the Springfield franchise could be trans
ferred to Washington and the Hartford
franchise to McGraw's town. But Spring
field. represented by c. T. Shean. regis
tered such formidable protest today that
there was an immediate te-up. 1t appears
/ that Springfield has always been money
maker up to last season. But when Tom
Burns, the manager, went to Chicago ne
took with him much of the old interest in
the game. Burns is again manager of the
Springfield team, and there is a boom there
now in baseball. Shean feels that he can
go ahead with profit, and also says that
Springfield people take pride in being rep
resented. So when the delegates began 10
talk the circuit question over this morning
Shean promptly informed them that
Spr ngfeld's franchise was not for sale at
any price. No amount of argument could
alter Sheans determination to stick, so
that the delegates, tired out. turned to
Hartford represented by William Barnie
There was no trouble about transferring
this franchise to Baltimore as far as Bar
ME was concerned, as be has been anxious
TO make this deal for some months past,
but there was opposition. it is said on the
part of several clubs which believed that
the attitude Of the Baltimore public to-
ward the Eastern League, because of the
influence of McGraw and Robinson, would
be detrimental. Some of the delegates eX-
pressed the opinion that a conference with
McGraw and a suggestion that he interest
himself financially in the new Baltimore
club would serve to make the road easier
to travel. not only for the league but also
for Barnie. Just how this snag was treat
ed is not known. but it was reported that
President Powers had an engagement to
keep with McGraw, who was still in the
city.
When It was found that things were ef-
fectually blocked, it was decided to ap-
point a circuit committee which should go
ever the ground and make report on next
Thursday. This committee is composed of
G. w. Sweeny, of Rochester: F. J. Leon
ard, of Worcester; p. Hyle, of Syracuse;
Thomas B. Corrie, of Providence, and c. 7.
Shean. of Springfield. The fact that Pres
ident Powers was not included in the list
was not explained. but it does not reflect
upon him in any way. If the committee
should recommend the dropping of Ralti-
more and Washington, ii would probably
go, as the influential Eastern League
clubs are handling this matter now. One
of the delegates said tonight:
Most OF us would be perfectly satisfied
to go on without Baltimore and Washing
ton. but President Powers believes that
those cities should be taken in by all means
If Springfield means business it will be nee
essary to drop one or two Southern cities
from our calculations. Hartford is a loser,
but there are other towns in the North that
could be taken in, notably Newark or Jer-
sey City"
President Powers on the other hand ar
CUES that Baltimore and Washington viii
make the Eastern League more powerful
tndil ever before, ana tndi they SHOuld De
taken in hand at all hazards Powers has
great influence with the Eastern Leaguers |
who, by the way reelected him for the
eighth successive year and raised his sal
airy $50 over what he got last season. The
situation, therefore is dependent upon |
whether Powers or certain members Of the !
circuit committee can win. If Shean !
would put a price on his franchise, some
thing might be done, but he said tonight |
that il was useless 10 discuss that point.
Several minor questions were settled !
V. G. Kuntzsch, the former owner OF the |
Syracuse club, put in a demand for $3.50, |
which he placed with the League as a
guarantee that he would 90 through the /
season of 1890 rs ne threw up his hands /
on the Fourth Of July he had no case. and /
did not get the money. II was decided 10 I
leave the appointment Of the umpire stan |
until the next meeting Powers and (
O'Neill. of Montreal, were appointed a
committee on transportation. 1t was also I
decided TO allow Powers to fine any player !
SO for cutting open ball or throwing one
over the either the grand stand or the
fence while in a fit Of anger over an un-
4.