The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-11
GOSSIP OF THE DIAMOND
The Big League Magnates Worried
Over freedman's Course.
He "ithhoIds His Name From the
Agreement Providing for mn Eight
Club tircuit-1hr Players Juggici
Among the Teams Wa>hinEioa
Mny he Taken Ia Eastern League.

NEW YORK. March 10.--Nearly all OF
| the National League masnates had left
town today. but before they went away
they were still guessing as to the policy to
be pursued by the New York Club. The
mere signing of the agreement to pay a to-
tai Of SlC4 Geo to the Washington, Bati-
more, Cleveland. and Louisville clubs is not
considered of particular consequence. for
Fresdman's delay in putting his name to
the paper could not be regarded As a block
ade. But the magnates were particularly
concerned about the strength of the New
Yorks from playing standpoint this sea
son. and they were anxious to know il
Freedman would cut the purse strings for
desirable talent. as he had promised TO do
under certain conditions. The League has
handed over Mercer to Freedman for moth
ing. Dreyfuss of Pittsburg has donated
Catcher Bowerman to the New York Club
without charge. Robson has agreed to lot
Freedman have either Dowd or Hsniey
both outfelders who played with Cleveland
last year without cent in return. The
Boston Club is ready TO surrender Pitcher
Meekin for no price whatsoever and may
possibly hand over an outfelder. too.
The New York president deciires to
make any offer whatever for McGraw. Rob
inson, or any of the Baltimore players,
now the property OF the Brooklyn club.
He merely says that Buck Ewing will
manage the New Yorks this year VII te
allowed to pick out desirable material. and
will be held responsible for the showing Of
the team.
Two clubs are after McGraw and Robi-
son in earnest. They are Philadelphia and
Chicago 1t is understood that Chicago
stands better chance of landing the men
because if they should go to Phi adelphia
that team would come pretty near making
neck and neck finish with Brooklyn for
first honors. Reach. OF Philadelphia. is in
the field with about SIS. 600 to strengthen
his nine, even though his partner, Rogers.
says this is too much money.
Among the echoes of the recent league
meeting is a positive statement by one of
tie Glib owners to the effect that the cir
Cit committee made terms with the four
retiring clubs at the conference in Cleve-
lend q month ago.
Robson. of st. Louis. still the agent of
the circuit committee. which has not ar
ranged the League TO suit everybody as
yet held long conference with p. 7.
Powers, President of the Eastern League:
William Barnie. owner of the Hartford
club and c. T. Shean, owner of the Spring
field club. at the Hotel Bartholdi today
Tom Burns. the manager of the Spring
held5, was also present at the confab
while Jake Wells, manager Of the Syra-
cuse club Charles Dooley manager OF the
Montreal club, and William Murray man.
ageI of the Providence club awaited de-
velc pments in the hotel corridor. IL is we'll
known that Barne wants the Baltimore
franchise. and that Shean and Burns are
after Washington. with the idea of placing
those cities in the Eastern League. Robi-
son was not authorized to make any offers
to the Eastern League men, but he re
ceived written propositions from those con-
ceIned which will be placed before the cir
cult committee. 1t was announced that
no definite answer could be looked for be-
fore next Saturday as the National League
men wished to find out what action the
League Will take regarding an
other club In Chicago. II President john
ston decides to declare war. it is probable
that an American Association circuit will
he put IN working order
Freedman was not in town today. Rob-
ison said he believed the New York man
ager signed the reduction agreement late
Friday night, but he was not sure. Pitch
el Carrick sent his signed contract to the
New York club today and it was an
nounced that Ewing would he here to-
Hanion left for Baltimore this
afternoon. but would not state the nature
Of his mission. He said that he expected
to take thirty players to Augusta on
March 20. If the players to be placed on
the market are not purchased within =
time they will be "farmed out
to Eastern League clubs