The Washington times., 1901-12-27
Belief Grows that Big Plan
is Under Way.
CINCINNATI CLUB PART OF MOVE.
Severe Blow Aimed at Syndicate
Control-Teams to Be Placed in
Hands of Local Capitalists New
Workers With Money Ready to
Aid Spalding in His Enterprise.

NEW YORK, Dec. 26.-The news from
Cincinnati that Col. j. D. Ellison and
others have organized a ball club to rep
resent that city in league to be con-
trolled by A. G. Spalding, and the fact
that Spalding has been conferring in
Washington with Edward b. Talcott. the
former owner OF the New York club,
caused another stir in baseball circles to-
day.
Following spalding's pointed statement,
sent out from Washington, to the effect
that he will consider himself president of
the National League until TIE courts de-
eide otherwise, the above information
serves to strengthen the belief that a
gigantic organization. planned to control
professional baseball, is under full head
way.
To bear this out one can easily recall
the statement made by Spalding during
the recent meeting OF the league here that
he had been in favor of a scheme TO place
all the clubs in the hands OF local capital
lists aud thereby do away with what is
known as syndicate ball"
A Significant Move.
Just what Spalding has had up his
sleeve since he read Freedman aut of the
National League baseball political party
has been a matter of conjecture, but this
unexpected move in Cincinnati appears
significant, for with Ellison & Co.
In harness there severe blow will
be aimed at the alien ownership Of John
T. Brush.
Whatever Spaldng is up to now it may
he said that he is acting solely as an
individual. and not as president OF the
National League. He has the undivided
support of the Brooklyn, Philadelphia,
Pittsburg. and Chicago clubs.
As proof of this 1t may be said that on
the afternoon of December Il, two days
before the Spalding injunction
suit came up before Justice Scott, there
was an important conference in Jersey
CITY, which was attended by John !.
Rogers. OF Philadelphia C. II. Ebbets, OF
Brooklyn; Barney Dreyfuss. of Pittsburg,
and Lawyers Kiddle and Northrup. 1t
was agreed then to allow the injunction 70
stand temporarily until the legality of
Spaldings election had been definitely de-
cided by the court.
VIII stand by spaIding.
When Spalding's attorney, therefore,
to a continuance, it was with
the understanding that he would be sup
ported no matter how long a delay there
might be- It was learned today that the
Freedman faction. consisting of New
York. Boston, st. Louis. and Cincinnati.
are anxious TO reconyene the league |
meeting. but as the opposition show no
indications Of complying with the request, I
Il Is impossible for the league to get to- !
rother as a body. In other words. the /
spalding contingent declare that the |
others must give in or go to the wall In |
The inevitable wreck.
It is not-a breach OF confidence 10 say |
hat there is any amount OF local capital 1
-eady 10 place new club in Boston under |
he Spalding regime, and also that in this
.ity there are men, whose names Will be l
published at the proper time, who have
agreed to take hold when Spalding says
he word.
Opposes TveIye-CIub League.
Ban johnson. President of the Ameri-
an League, is unalterably opposed to
my scheme that will include Freedman,
Brush and Robson in organized baseball.
Johnson states that he. personally, is op
,osed 10 a twelve-club circuit, but be-
ieyes that two big leagues, operating in !
oniunction with the minor leagues, with |
,palding's influence and support behind
he whole combination. will place base
,all on a plane sure to win back the
upport OF the American public.
That spalding and Johnson understand
ach other thoroughly there is not the
lightest reason for doubt.