The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-10

NEW YORK. March 9.-The meeting Of
the National League came to an end d
the Fifth Avenue Hotel tonight at {
| O'Clock.
Although President Freedman of the
| New York club attended League meeting
| for the first time since 1898. he did not
! sign the agreement to pay the sum of
/ 100000 TO the four clubs which retired
from the League. This agreement has
been subscribed to by all the other club
owners and il only remains for Freedman
TO do the same in order TO complete the
list
Soden. Of Boston. said Freedman would
sign. There is no doubt that he will
sign, as there is nothing else left for him
to do. He has practically yielded to the
situation by allowing the League TO let
him have pitcher to strengthen his team.
He also succeeded in getting the League
to stand any losses he may incur in the
future management OF Manhattan Field.
So. obtaining these favors, he is bound to
sign the agreement.
The agreement had not been signed by
Fred Knowles. the secretary OF the New
York club. because he had not consulted
with Freedman. The msgnates admitted
that the prices named above and the sign
ing Of an agreement had been reached
without final consent from the New
York magnate. One of the club owners
said:
IF Freedman signs this agreement it
means that we forced him to be fair II
he does not sign it, we 40 not care at all.
The circuit has been reduced. and the
seven clubs outside of New York will make
up the amount to be paid to the four re-
firing clubs without any assistance from
Freedman. The League men we're ordered
by Freedman TO reduce the circuit TO eight
clubs. As every man in the League. eX-
cept Freedman felt that the prices asked
by the Baltimore. Washington, Cleveland.
and Louisville clubs were just and fair,
We determined to take The bull by the
horns and reduce the circuit according
to our views and 10 the interest Of har-
mony. We made good all Of our promises
TO Freedman, and there can be no kick.
There is no need of haggling over a few
thousand dollars. so we have acted. and
that is all there IS to it,"
Knowles telephoned the action OF the
League TO Freedman Immediately after
the League adjourned. When the mag
mates got 10 the hotel today, they at
once began to enquire whether Freedman
had signed the agreement or not. Knowles
refused 10 talk. AT 1880 O'Clock a SEN
saiton was caused when John r. Brush
left the hotel In a cab. and was driven
TO the Grand Central Depot He took
the Southwestern Limited for his home
in Indianapolis, although the League had
not adjourned. Brush would not say any
thing except hat the circuit had been re-
duced in fair and honorable way He
did not wait to say goodbye to Freed
man.
Shortly after O'Clock Freedman ap-
peared. There was no general rush to
shake hands. Several Of the magnates
went up 10 Freedman and said they were
glad to see him, but the majority sat in
silence TO hear what he had TO say Con
ferences with the New York magnate con
tinued for some time. but be did not sign
the agreement.
The magnates are sick Of wrangling
with the idea OF doing Freedman S bid
ding" was the general comment. and
they are going away tonight whether he
likes it or not. The whole situation has
been so shifted that it is now up TO Freed
man to make good his promises to the
New York patrons Of baseball. The mag
mates have reduced the circuit to a pay
ing basis"
The Washington players landed ia the
League pool were priced by a committee
which ordered McGann. the first baseman.
to be sold for $500 and Mercer. the
pitcher and ;hird baseman, TO be disposed
Of for not less than s.. 600 The prices
put upon the other men were not made
known.
In regard TO buying players for the New
York club, Freedman was quoted as say
ing that he would not be "sandbagged."
He declared that he would not open his
barrel for the benefit Of the other mag
mates. which was taken as an excuse fof
not making bid for the services of
McGraw and Robson. of Baltimore hose
releases are quoted at $4,000 or more
As a matter OF fact. Manager Hanlou says
that ne is liable to bring McGraV 10
Brooklyn to play third base.
There are so many details to be ar
ranged that the magnates concluded not
TO adopt a schedule until later. a move
ment is on foot TO have the new circuit
bound together for twenty-five years The
season will open on the first Thursday
after April 10. and the schedule will con
sist OF 40 games, each club playing a
series OF twenty games with every other
club
The double umpire system has been
abolished and John B. Day has been ap-
nointed superintendent Of umpires and
PLAYERS President Powers has filed with
the national board an application for the
Baltimore and Washington franchises foe
the Eastern League the proposed circuit OF
which is Baltimore. Washington. R0ches-
ter. Syracuse, Toronto, Providence Worces- |
ter Montreal. or Buffalo. But this may
not be the final arrangement, as there was /
a rumor afiO8t tonight that the National |
League men had a scheme on foot 20 form /
a new American Association. to be con-
trolled by themselves Such a circuit {
would be made up of Boston. Philadelphia /
Baltimore. and Washington in the East,
with Chicago. ST Louis, Cleveland. and !