The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-03
BRUSH WORE A SMILE
HE WOULD NOT DISCUSS THE RE-
CENT LEAGUE MEETING.
baseball Men Meet with Watkins
Guiding IndianapoIis-Gossip.

John T. Brush returned to indianapolis
yesterday from the National League meet
ing in New York. He wore a Smile, but
Just how much power was used to force
such a brilliant smile to his face is not
known. From his appearance one would
Judge that the recent meeting. was most
harmonious and that he succeeded in get
ting the cooperation of all the League
magnates in his pet schemes. But he did
not and he would not discuss the why's
and wherefores. He said he had nothing
to say.
Messrs. Havener and Quin. of Mil
waukee,, and Koch, of Detroit, were in
the city yesterday TO see President Wat
kins, Of the indianapolis club. Watkins told
them just what happened in New York.
The gentlemen all lost considerable money
as a result of the death of the American
Association. The scheme of a new or
ganization was discussed and if the plans
materialize Quin will have a club in Mil
waukee and Koch one in Detroit. 1t is
possible that a new league will be formed
comprising indianapolis. Louisville. Detroit,
Milwaukee. Fort Wayne, Toledo, Column
bus and Dayton Such a league may be
made to pay Notwithstanding there are a
few weak cities in the list. indianapolis
will have a baseball club even if the new
league should not be formed.
x x
President Watkins says he has the signed
contracts of fifteen players in his safe and
he will have a good team in Indianapolis
this season. May be when Ban Johnson's
organization whips the National League
this season indianapolis may have some
thing real good next season. All preju-
dice in the matter thrown to the winds.
1t begins to look as if Ban Johnson will
give the National League q harder battle
than the latter bargained for. Such a thing
as a compromise between the two organiza-
tons is not impossible under the existing
circumstances
Vice President c. W. Somers, of the
American Baseball League, announced yes
terday that James ]. Collins and Hugh
Duffy. who played second base and center
field, respectively. for the Boston Nation
al League club last year. have signed con-
tracts with the American League. Collins
will manage the Boston American League
club. while Duffy goes to milwaukee, TO
manage the American League team in that
city. Although this announcement was
not entirely unexpected ii created a SenSa-
ton in baseball circles. Discussing the
matter, Mr.. SOmers said: This is only the
beginning. Similar announcements may be
expected 10 follow shortly. We are not
asking players TO break any legal contract
with the National League people. But we
hold that the option clause in the Ma
tiOnal League contract is not valid, and
therefore practically all players are free
to sign American League contracts ii they
so desire." Mr.. ii. l.. Taylor, attorney for
the Players Protective Association, wired
Mr.. Somers as follows: "All barriers re-
moved. National League players free to
sign with any league
Hugh Duffy. who was in Cleveland IN
conference with Vice President Somers yes
terday, severely criticised the action of
President thinner, of the players associa-
ton, in signing an agreement with the Ma
tiOnal League tending to prevent the play
or- FROM ohonoin0 from ono lQQ CllQ fO an
thinner had no authority whatever"
said Duffy, Ito take such action and the
players will not stand for it,
The call for the final meeting and or
ganization of the Interstate Baseball
League has been issued, the place named
as Columbus. O.. and the date March 10.
Anderson has decided TO remain in. the
league if possible 10 continue her fran
chise. A strong organization has been eff
fected in that city and representatives Will
l., sent to Columbus to close the deal
whereby Anderson will become a member
of the league. The players of the old
team are still under reserve.
Tom Fisher. of Anderson, a brother of
| Chauncey Fisher, has been given a con-
tract with the team at Shreveport. La. and
will leave for that city i'm about ten days.
He was one of the star pitchers last year
with Bloomington. ILL.,, and held tho record
for StrikeOuts during the entire season in
any of the leagues, securing fifteen in
one game.
The Southern League managers met at
Memphis yesterday and agreed to play one
hundred and thirty-two games, commence
ing May .. The clubs were given until
May Is to reduce the number of surplus
PLAYERS and get within the salary limit.
President Kent's decisions over disputed
players between clubs were unanimously
approved. All players signed and claimed