The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-12

For the past week there has been CON
siderable activity among the Western
League magnates and more life has been
shown than any time since the last meet
ing. The American Association has had
everything its own way, and it was the
activity of President Hickey which awoke
they must be up and doing if they expected
10 hold their OWL. There was a hasty
gathering Of magnates and several con-
ferences have been held in Omaha and
here. Several of the club owners remained
here after the meeting Thursday.
Immediately after the association meet
pose of arranging all details for {. park
in the Nebraska city. He at once opened
negotiations with William Rourke. the
owner Of the Western League franchise
and holder OF the lease of the only park.
for the sale of his interests. Rourke was
not at all averse 10 selling, and set his
price at $500. Hickey offered 500 and
refused 10 raise II. Here. while they were
GiCkering. President Whitfield got into the
game. He hastily packed his grip and was
off for Omaha to look after the interests OF
lis League. He evidently feared that the
American Association gold would attract
Rourke and thus deal the Western a severe
buy Rourke's interest II he desired to get
out Of baseball. 1t was soon announced
that all negotiations between hickey ana
RoUrke were of. and Whitfield. with Mag.
Mates Burns, Of Colorado Springs. and
RGurke. came to Kansas City, where they
were Joined by Manning Of Kansas CITY
dilu an ID UNI u - JoStpi- ~ SiNAA
several conferences and helped Manning
select Il site for his ball park
While they were here ii also leaked out
that Des MoineS was anxious TO withdraw
from the League. While President Whit
field would give out no Information what
ever on the subject. 1t is known. that a few
days ago he received q letter from Frank
Flynn, the holder of the Western League
franchise In Des Moines, Offering 10 sell
his team and franchise. The town was
never a baseball gold mine. and reports
from there said that Flynn didn't desire to
lose any money and wanted 10 Keep OUT II a
fight was on tap. on this point Whitfield Is
silent, except to say that the Western con-
trolls the situation in the Iowa town. 1t
was rumored that the Circuit Committee
was considering the cropping of Des Moines
IN the final makeup of the League. but this
would necessitate the securing OF a city as
well Ecated in regard TO the other towns IN
the circuit.
President Whitfield said that he expects
representatives from as many as twelve
cities at the coming meeting, and that dur
ing the past week he had received appltC2-
lions from Indianapolis and Louisville. Wbo
the interested parties are he refuses to say,
but ii IS limited that Hugh MCGOWAN. the
Indianapolis street-car magnate. e con-
cerned in the Hoosier city deal. The towns
which may he represented at. the meeting
are Kansas City. Des Moines. Omaha. Den
Yer. Colorado Springs. 1ndianapolis Louis
willie. Pueblo. st. Joseph. Milwaukee,. Peoria
and Sioux City or Lincoln. 1t will be seen
that all idea OF entering St. Paul and Min
neapolis has evidently been given up.
II is thought that all the plans which will
he pursued We're outlined at the meeting
mains is q ratification and the announce
ment OF the circuit. Around Western
League Headquarters II has been limited
form time TO time that a much stronger cir