The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-19
Detroit to Take the Place of the
Windy City and A. III. kOth to
Re Given the Franchise.
ROGERS STOOD BY NILES
AND FORCED A CHANGE IN THE
PHILADELPHIA PROGRAMME.
w. III. Watkins and His Colleagues M
Work on n Constitution for
Their New Organization.

NEW YORK, Jan. 1S.-The promoters of
the new American Baseball Association
met the national board of arbitration OF
When the conference at the Fffth-ave-
Hotel to-day. AS a result of the advice
given to the new magnates by the solons
of the national pastime. they went back
to the Hotel Marlborough tonight. made
a few important changes in their original
plans as to the circuit, effected a perma-
nent organization and began work on a
constitution. Tomorrow the promoters
will once more appear before the national
board, sign the national agreement, Sc
cure protection and then elect officers.
There were two important changes in the
proposed circuit made after to-day's ses-
sion AS a result, the American Associa-
ton will not have team in Chicago. The
magnates of the new organization decided
to take in Detroit instead. The other
change will be in the management or the
Philadelphia team. II. X. Niles will be
the controlling power in the Quaker city,
instead of A. III. Koch, the man originally
selected by the Association magnates. Mr..
Koch is to have the Detroit franchise.
In the change of arrangements in Philo-
delphia, the big magnates administered
their first rebuke to the new Association,
and for a time it looked as thought there
would be serious trouble over the mat
ter. Colonel john l. Rogers would not
have an American Association team IN
Philadelphia unless it would agree to play
ON his grounds and have II. K. Niles at
the head Of it.
hnf
Watkins, Irwin, Koch and Havener. tho
members of the Association committee,
met the members Of the national board
at the Fifth-avenue Hotel. Only two MEM
bers of the national board, Hart and
Scden, were present. Colonel Rogers did
rot put in an appearance. His absence
was significant. Word was sent that the
only condition under which he would per-
nit an American Association team to be
located in Philadelphia was that IL would
play at the League Park on open dates
and that Mr.. Niles should be its ruling
power For over six hours the members
OF the two committees locked horns. Most
OF the time was taken up. IL is said. in
talking over the Philadelphia matter. The
promoters of the new organization wanted
Koch and their own grounds in the Quaker
city
When the conference at the Fifth-ave-
nue. Hotel was ended. the promoters OF the
association hurried back TO the Marlbor-
ough and hastily called meeting OF their
own Shortly before 10 o'clock the follow
ing information was given out:
..The American Association met at the
Hotel Marlborough tonight and effected
a permanent organization. Permission 10
use the name American Association was
granted by the National League. The fol-
lowing circuit was decided upon: Wash
ington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Boston
In the East and Detroit. Milwaukee. Louis
vile and Indianapolis I'm the West. After
effecting permanent organization the MEM
bers got 10 work on a constitution They
will then elect officers. Tomorrow the
association will go before the National
Board of Arbitration and sign the national
agreement and ask for protection"
Havener, who was to have had the Chi
cago franchise. will go TO Milwaukee and
run the club there with II. ID. Quin. Harry
Pulliam will have the Louisville franchise,
Watkins will have the Indianapolis team,
while w. c. Bryan and Charles White viii
be at the head Of the Washington club.
Arthur Irwin will be the man I'm Boston
Bill Clarke, the Boston catcher Will be
the head man OF the Baltimore Club Clarke
Is an old Baltimore player. He says that
he has ample backing.