Evening star., 1902-08-13
STORY DENIED.
Magnate Brush Says Base Ball Leagues
Will Not Consolidate

Three owners who are prominent in the
affairs of the National League of Base Ball
Clubs sat in the Polo grounds, New York,
yesterday afternoon and talked base bali by
the volume. They were John T. Brush,
owner of the Cincinnati club until Saturday
next; Frank De H. Robson, owner of the
St. Louis club, and Andrew Freedman.
owner of the New York club. John T..
Brush is also chairman of the executive
committee of the National League.
Rumor, emanating from Chicago, had 1t
that the National League and the American
League were to be consolidated, and Mr..
Brush was asked when the ceremony was
to take place.
We'll" said he, somewhat deliberat tely. as
is his custom, IF the National League and
the American League were about to consol-
idate. 1 do not believe that the National
League would be offering fancy prices to
American League players. or that the Amer
lean League would be trying to entice men
away from the National League at salaries
that no longer make 1t desirable for our
young citizens to engage in politics"
1t was suggested to Mr.. Brush that some
scheme was on foot to consolidate the two
leagues in such a manner that but one great
twelve club league would be the outcome,
the clubs dropped being compelled to get
along In a minor circuit or quit base ball.
Il have always been in favor of a twelve
club circuit" replied Mr. Brush, but I
know nothing about the plan just suggested.
do not say there will not be twelve club
league, nor do / say there will be one.
cannot tell what circumstances may develop
within a year. month or week. but
there have been no overtures looking to-
ward an amalgamation, at least none on the
part OF the National League"
The plan proposed was the consolidation
of the rival Chicago. st. Louis Philadelphia
and Boston clubs Detroit, Cleveland, Balti-
more and Washington to be annexed to the
circuit. 1t was rumored that all were will
Ing except Philadelphia and Cleveland IA
the owner Of the Boston American League
club has resigned most of the players of his
team within twenty -four hours at increased
salaries for 1903 1t does not look as If there
were any doves of peace" fluttering about
the Boston base ball camp.
That a twelve club circuit may be at
tempted on the part of the National League
another year is plausible. but it will prob
ably not be laid upon foundation of partial
surrender to the American League, II the
owners in the National League are to be
believed.
John T. Brush said yesterday that he was
now in a position where he could go to bed
not inform him in the morning that his ''old
club had lost again He turns over the
Cincinnati property Saturday.
Il shall not said he. lose my interest
in base ball at that. | propose to devote a
great deal of my time doing the best that
/ can for the New York club / am inter-
ested In 1t financially and l am further in
terested in doing all that 1 can to benefit
it l shall endeavor to secure players of the
highest standard for the Giants"
1t is understood that Mr.. Brush will be
made director and that he will assume
some active part in the handling of the or
ganization, Mr.. Freedman being too much
occupied with other affairs to give 1t all the
attention he desires. Mr.. Brush, however,
has not purchased the New York club, as
has been affirmed.