The Savannah morning news., 1902-12-04

And Want Savannah and Charleston
as a Part of the Same-League
VIII Have Eight Teams and Strong
Financial Backing-LOcaI People
Will Be Asked to Subscribe Half
the sum Needed to Launch Savan-
nah in the Leag1e-The Plans as
Outlined by the Gentlemen Pro-
noting the Scheme.
Chas. French and r. ]. Gilks, the
baseball men interested in the forma-
ton of an eight-club Southern League
baseball circuit, of which proposed
league Savannah is contemplated as
part, are in the city for the purpose of
perfecting this end of the organization.
Mr.. French said yesterday that the
new league will be entirely separate
and distinct from any other ball league
in the country, and will be self-sup-
porting 1t is a new league entirely
in the South, and all that remains for
its PROJECTIONS is for Savannah and
Charleston to come in as is now an
tcipated.
What They Want.
In speaking of Savannah and their
business here. Mr.. French said: I'VE
have already cinched Memphis, Nash
VILE, New Orleans, Birmingham, At
lanta and Montgomery, and are here
for the purpose of interesting the peo-
pie of Savannah in the matter of put
ting a team from this city in the
10 aTIa
ton for the same purpose"
Mr.. Gilkes said that the object of
the visit, or at least the plan of opera
ton, is to interest the local people in
the team, and to get Them to take half
the stock, he being willing to put up
the other half of what ever amount it
requires to start the team off.
81, as one of the originators of the
new league" said he, will put up ST.
900, as will the manager of each of the
other seven cities entering the league.
This will make $4,000, and it will be de-
voted to a league fund for use in case
of trouble or disaster to any one team
or teams in the combine. We will also
have a sinking fund, of which GER
tain per cent, yet to be decided upon
of the receipts, wifi be contributed each
stock every new year, thereby insuring
the success of the league
Will BE Incorporated.
Mr.. Gilks also said that the new
league will be incorporated for ten
years, and that every team starting
out as a member of the league will be
forced to stand by it. as every club
must be incorporated under the laws of
the state in which it's city is located.
This will insure protection and guar
antee the people the game not for one
year, but for years. Should one man
ager prove incapable or otherwise I'M
satisfactory, the league will take it up
and remedy the matter. Come what
will the promoters will use their utter
most endeavors to keep the league go
ing after it is once launched.
Meeting with Success.
In regard to Savannah Mr.. Gilkes
stated that he had circulated
among a number of prominent people
yesterday, in company with Dan
Charlton and Mr.. French. and receiv-
ed many assurances of support, and
expressed a belief that there would be
no trouble whatever in putting out a
team. Providing he cannot get local
capital interested in the venture. he
himself, after thoroughly canvassng
the field. and being satisfied with the
outlook. will put up the money for the
team. II had rather have home people
interested in the team" said he. for
then a local spirit is manifested and
interest taken that would not be were
the club handled entirely by strang-
ers.
ether Cities After Place.
TT is not compulsory that either Sa-
vannah or Charleston go in the
league" continued Mr. Gilkes, 'but we
prefer them, because they are regarded
as two of the best ball cities in the
South, but if the people don't want a
ball team, we can easily get Macon
and Columbus in their places. as both
are anxious to enter the league"
Should the merchants and others
give Mr.. Gillles the proper encourage
ment, meeting will be called at an
early date at which officers will be
chosen for the club and arrangements
started for forming the team and 9TH
er preliminaries attending the same
such as securing grounds, signing men,
etc.
Mr.. French said that the players to
be signed are among the best in the
country, and that just as soon as Sa-
vannah and Charleston have been dis
posed of, the final preparations will be
made for organizing the league, elect
ing officers, etc.
Expense Estimated.
Mr.. French, when asked what the
expense of launching team from this
city would be, said that he could not
tell, but that it should not cost over
$1,000 providing grounds are leased,
but if this cannot be done that the ex-
pense might be greater, but not much
In Atlanta he said that he had to buy
AZ nd I,of
1t is within ten blocks of the Hoffman
House. He expects no such trouble
here. Both he and Mr.. Gilks will re-
main here several days working up in
terest in the team, when they will go
to Charleston, after which they will
return again.
Managers and Schedule.
Mr.. French stated that he will man
age the New Orleans team; Newt
Fisher, Nashville; Breitenstein, Mem
phis; LaRouque, Birmingham; Lou