The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-01
NATIONAL LEAGUES ATTITUDE
BRUSH AND OTHERS BLAMED FOR
THE PRESENT SITUATION.
watkins and Ruschaupt to BE Pro-
tected I'm Territorial Rights
Dispatch from New York.

Is a thing or the past. Inc cause u 'HS
demise of the association has already been
published, but Mr.. Ruschaupt made state
ments last evening which show the disre-
gard the National League men have for
their pledges given to the promoters Of the
association.
Mr.. Ruschaupt says that when the Ma
tional League met the last time in New
York. last December. John T. Brush
wired President Watkins that he would
arrive home the next day. and for
Watkins to call on him upon his arrival
home. Mr.. Watkins and Mr.. Ruschaupt
went to Mr.. Brush's home on Sunday aft
ernoon following the meeting of the Ma
tional League. Mr.. Brush opened the con-
ference by asking what the indianapolis
magnates thought of the baseball situation.
Mr.. Watkins did not commit himself. but
asked Mr.. Brush his meaning. Brush then
asked Mr.. Watkins where he would like
10 have a club, but still Watkins did not
show any signs that he grasped the situa-
ton or knew what Brush was driving at
Brush then referred to baseball maps and
named the cities of New AOrk, Philadel-
phia, Baltimore and Washington in the
East, and Indianapolis, Louisville Milwau-
kee and Chicago or Detroit In the West,
saying Chicago could be used in case Mil
waukee or Detroit could not be utilized;
watkins said that looked ike a very gOOd
circuit, whereupon, Mr.. Ruschaupt says,
Brush replied: You can have that cir
cult"
THE SCHEME UNFOLDED.
Brush then unfolded his scheme. which.
he claimed. was Matched at the meeting of
the National League. He told Watkins
that in case backing could not be secured
for the new American Association club in
any of these cities the National League
men would furnish the capital. Brush's
word was taken as a business proposition,
as he was chairman Of the National League
committee. Harry Pulliam. secretary of the
Pfttsburg club, was employed at "A salary
and his expenses guaranteed by the League.
Watkins and Pulliam then started out to
. organize the new Association. Rogers, the
Philadelphia magnate, gave out a little in
formation concerning the new organization
and later the Louisville men gave out the
news. This caused a rest of about ten days
for the talk TO die out, as the matter had
TO be done under cover. Pulliam received
his salary and expenses from President
Nick Young. of the National League. and
Watkins also received his expenses from
Young for organizing the new Association.
Mr.. Ruschaupt said a meeting of the
American Association magnates was then
called and held in New York. President
SOden, of the Boston club, was present at
this meeting. 1t was found that all the
clubs would have sufficient backing with
the exception of Baltimore, and again 1t
WAS understood that the National League
would finance the Baltimore club. Mr..
Quinn and Mr.. Koch asked Mr.. Soden.
make a written statement granting
the new Association territorial
finance the association. This Mr.. Soden ana
other National League men refused to do.
Mr.. Soden got out of the matter by saying
the League franchises would expire this
year and 1t could not possibly grant a
franchise for more than one year to the
new association, but after the reorganiza-
ton lex fall Mr.. Soden promised that the
new association clubs could have franchises
for any number OF years.
Mr. Ruooharnf sold fhnf xrhor Il D-,-l.
first preached the subject of the new as
ISOLATION to Mr.. Watkins he said that he
was to be kept In the dark concerning il
and that Watkins was to figure as the
prime promoter He gave the assurance
when the question OF players came up that
the National League would turn over TO
five players free of cost. MIR. Ruschaupt
said that Mr.. Brush also refused TO make
any guarantee or statement In writing.
Mr.. Ruschaupt asserts that Mr.. Brush
called upon Mr.. Watkins every few
days and infused enthusiasm into the In
annapolis magnates concerning the new
association. This enthusiasm was likewise
sent out over the country and the associa-
tion men. believing that the League men
spending money for their leases and in
curing expenses in travelling about the
country.
FIRST STUMBLING BLOCK.
When Col. I. F. whitesides. the Louisville
magnate. came 10 Indianapolis TO see Wat
kins. and also confer with Brush, to get
personal assurance of help from the Ma
tional League, the question of players was
again brought up, and Mr.. Ruschaupt said
that was the first intimation he received
that the league was not going 10 be as far
with the association as IL had promised. Mr..
Whitesides asked about the players. ard
Mr. Brush again made the statement that
the league would have players for the
Association clubs. Mr.. Whitesides asked If
they would be turned over to the Associa-
ton teams without cost, and Mr.. Brush
qualified his original statement and said he
old not believe that that was the under
standing. Mr.. Whitesides remarked that if
the Association had TO buy these players
from the National League TO organize ball
clubs TO fight the American League for the
National League he did not believe there
would be many men in the Association 10
Put up money Cor the players. Ruschaupt
claims that Mr.. Brush repudiated his for
mer promises. ana TINS was the cause of the
Louisville men being only lukewarm and
insisting on a guarantee before putting up
money for the club in that city.
The American Association men also
Claim that Col. John /. Rogers, of Philadel-
pnia. was largely 10 blame for the failure
of the Association to materialize. as he
compelled the Association club to agree TO
play. on his grounds and refused TO permit
Koch 10 place a team In that city on indie
PENDENT grounds. This action OF Rogers
ter Philadelphia. IL Is claimed that had
Koch been allowed to go To Philadelphia
the trouble might have been bridged.
VISIT IL
Mr.. Ruschaupt said that while Brush
was laying plans for the new association
ne and Mr.. Watkins had not given up
hope Of being In the American League. but
had received instead assurances from
President Johnson that indianapolis would
be included In the American League CIR
cult. Ruschaupt said that he aud Watkins
went Co Chicago where the stock book. hill
OF sale ana all receipts OF the fndianapolis
Club were shown Co Johnson TO demon.
strate that Brush had no interest i'm IN.
indianapolis Club, but that the 900 sha,ea
OF stock were divided equally hetw.on
Watkins and Ruschaupt. President John.
son then told Rurchaupt that he had a
great deal 10 do with the circuit 81 the
American League and indianapolis would
surely be Included Ia the Circuit. Mr.
fuschaupt says. however. that Bfnah IN.
duced Watkins and him 90 leave the Amcri-
can League and organize the new arse.
citation, the result being that indianapolis
and the other American Association citizen
are out In tho colg a. Tar aa the asao.
cation M originally planned T. concerned.
Mr.. huachaupt also told Of the visit of
President Charles n. Power 20 Indlsn-
npoiis nnd the conference Power had with
brush. lie said thar Brush reiterated 10