Evening star., 1902-03-05
SPORTS OF ALL SORTS
Brush's Plan Probably Re-
jected by Johnson.
CHESS MASTERS GAMES
AMERICAN LEAGUE BEGAN MEET
ING IN DETROIT TODAY.
Brother of Terry McGovern Hurt and
Horse Killed in Steeplechase
at New Orleans.
CHESS MASTERS GAMES
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
Word was received here last night that at
the meeting of the American League of pro-
fessional base ball clubs. to convene at
Detroit today. the proposition of John T.
Brush to take in the New York and Cincin-
natl clubs will be summarily rejected. This
infornla ton comes from Cincinnati, where
1t is asserted Brush learned Of his failure
to connect with Ban Johnson several days
ago. II this turns out to be true, 1t will
clearly demonstrate the loyalty of john
son to A. G. Spalding and to organized
base ball. 1t is said. however. that several
American League clubs have been In favor
of Brush's plan. but that the stubborn op-
position of several others has effectualIy
blocked matters. The only way Brush and
Freedman can secure berths in the Ameri-
can League. as the matter stands at pres
ent. is for them to buy the Cleveland and
Baltimore franchises. If they should make
these purchases, the American League
would be forced to take them in. Some
people believe that Freedman and Brush
have been dfckering along these lines, but
with what success nobody seems to know.
1t would take probably $4,000 cash to buy
the Baltimore club and at least $4,000
to secure the Cleveland franchise.
In the event Of such a transaction Freed
man and Brush could not very well desert
Soden of Boston and Robson of st. Louis,
for whose holdings the American League
people in those cities are said to be un-
willing to put up a dollar Looking the
Sidered a foregone conclusion that there
will be no change in the American League
circuit.
AS the Spalding clubs Of the National
League have declared themselves as un-
alterably opposed to the methods Of Freed
man and Brush, the Importance Of the
court proceedings which are scheduled to
begin here tomorrow before Justice Truax
can be readily appreciated. The argument
tomorrow will be upon demurrers filed by
counsel for the defense to the effect that
the court has no Jurisdiction on the ground
that the defendants, the Brooklyn. Phla-
delphia, Pittsburg and Chicago clubs, are
foreign corporations and that the National
League Is not a corporation but merely
voluntary copartnership. If the court
should sustain the demurrers, the case
would be thrown out and A. G. Spalding
would be still president of the league but
II the court should decide otherwise, the
next move would be the argument of the
injunction suit which would probably go
over until the April term. In either event.
there would probably be the same dead
lock that has existed since last December
unless the rival factions, weary of legal
procedure. should decide to get together
and play ball. pending a decision Of the
existing troubles next fall.
1t seems quite evident that the nearness
Of the playing season Is having it's effect
on certain weakened club officials. who
care more for the click of the turnstiles
than for the principles which have caused
the present estrangement in the leagues
ranks.