The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-01

PHILADELPHIA. Jan. I.-A baseball
league cannot be organized in one day.
This has been shown to be conclusively true
since the American Association promoters
assembled yesterday morning to effect
permanent circuit of eight clubs When
the delegates went to bed last night they
felt sure that the syndicate of local mil
Iiunaires. represented by Ernest II. Crow
hurst would take up the Philadelphia end
of the scheme with vigoT and enterprise
but this morning President Quin received
letter from Crowhurst, stating that he
was instructed by She gentlemen whom
he represented al yesterdays meeting to
withdraw from the new association and
discontinue further negotiations.
There was great hustle Immediately to
find out why the syndicate had backed out.
Soon four specific reasons were in circula-
ton. One was to the effect that the prema-
ture publication of the names of the mil
lionaires said to be interested had killed
the whole thing. Another was that the men,
bers of the syndicate did not care to do
business IL a certain promoter, Richter.
was allied with the scheme A third was
that the syndicate had not been repre-
sented by anyone in authority, while
fourth was to the effect that the National
League rubber shoe agent had gotten in
effective ticks over night and had blocked
matters completely.
This was something that the association
men were partially prepared for. however.
for they had suffered previous setback
at the hands of other local capitalists.
Judge Frank Elliott was said TO be the
original hacker of the Philadelphia end,
so Promoter Richter declared when he
was calling the delegates together, but
when 1t came time to make good. Elliott
denied all knowledge Of the affair and de-
clGred that he would not interest himself
if he could. This was at 10 o'clock yes
terday morning so ii seems. although the
matter was kept a secret until today.
With two setbacks. both attributed by
the majority of the association men to eth
er the Misrepresentation or the unpopu-
larity of the chief promoter in this city
the delegates were worried when they as
sembled again this morning. Their cir
cult was an ideal one. they believed. but
the best city of all, Philadelphia, was with
out backing. ard so far nobody capable
of putting up dollar had Shown up with
the goods" The chief promoter here made
one final play He hustled. out of the ho-
tel and came back with a clean cut finely
his shirt front and on his singers. The
man was George H. Roger. a local pro-
moter of various schemessa great baseball
crank and an intimate friend of Delehanty
and Lajoie, OF the Philadelphia League
team.
After long confab with the association
men, Roger came down into the corridor
Of the hotel To reporter he said:
Il did not know / was in demand until
II o'clock this morning. | was here yes
terday with 100000 cash in my clothes
looking for the franchise;gb but when l heard
that the syndicate OF millionaires was
ahead of me / quit. Nov, | have had a
talk with the gentlemen of the associa-
ton, and say freely that everyone of
their clubs IL in fine shape, as far as mOrey
and grounds 20. / have made strictly
business proposition, which they are con-
sdering, and will decide before II o'clock
tomorrow morning. | will not go into this
movement unless the new grounds are To-
Gated at Twenty second and York Streets,
where there is fine plot now ready to
be fenced in and graded at very little cost.
| have some partners whom ! should like
to consult. but if it comes 10 a pinch | can
put up the required amount myself. The
delegates tell me that I am the first local
man they have seen here who Is in a posi-
ton to talk real business. which shows
that there has been mismanagement some-
where in the arrangement OF details"
Roger, accompanied by McGraw. Arson.
and Mccarthy. who have now taken the
bull by the horns, then went out on a still
hunt for the new promoters partners.
Soon they came back. and Roger. after
staying in the star chamber. went away,
after making another appointment for to-
night when he said his partners would
meet committee nf the association men.
II Roger does not come to time. the as
sociation men declare that they will stay
here until they have secured backing and
organize the new club. All of them say
that their clubs are in such good condition
TO begin the battle for popular favor that
Philadelphia must be represented.
Roger wants to see New York IL the
circuit but this now appears to be an i'm
possibility. The delegates got word this
morning from w. II. Jacobs. the New York
man, that he had decided to remain outside !
the breastworks. With New York out the !
eighth city is Providence The Eastern
League delegates from that city. McKenna, |
Draper. and Kirby, were ready this morn !
ing TO sign an agreement for term Of |
years, also posting a cash forfeit If called !
upon. bu. as the local situation was not in /
shape. they were informed that there was |
time enough and that they could do these |
things when the association had been !
formally organized. and consequently the |
Providence delegates took an early train |
for home.
Providence wants association ball" |
they said, and we are ready to jump out |
OF the Eastern League when We are as 4
sured that the association is actually a |
go. II looks like a sure success. but we !
cannot afford to take any action with Phil |
adelphia an unknown quantity"
John Drewson, one of the hackers of the |