Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-11-22
Three-I Baseball League is Made
Stronger Than
Ever.
OF ANNUAL MEETING
Towns to Take Place of Terre Haute
and Evansville Not Yet
Decided On.

success from baseball standpoint
and an impetus to baseball enthusi-
asm in the towns which comprise the
league is statement that could not
be questioned by anyone who was
present at the sessions of the past
two days. a more largely attended
meeting of minor league was posi-
bly, never held, and the class of men
who represented the different cities
was such as to indicate that the ma
tional game is receiving the hearty
Endorsement of the foremost men of
every community. In other words,
baseball teams as represented in the
Three-I organization are conducted
on business lines, and it has been
demonstrated that the affairs of each
local organization are in the hands
of competent business men who are
determined to make the game self
supporting in every town. n few
years ago almost any kind of Il cir
cult would be formed, no matter how
the towns were situated geographic
ally; but in the present instance every
effort is being bent to get cities that
will shorten the mileage and, in con-
sequence, cut down railroad fare and
save long rides for the players be-
tween games.
Life of Franchises Heightened.
At ST. Louis there was unanimous
sentiment that the Three-I organiza-
tion should be put on firm business
basis. 1t is fast becoming recognized
as one of the most substantial base
ball organizations in the United
States. The men who are behind it
recognize this fact and are determin-
ed that in the future its prestige
shall grow rather than diminish. 1t
was from desire to give it stability
that the plan of 3-year franchises
was adopted, in the setting aside of
10 per cent of the gross receipts of
each game as a sinking fund, and to
provide for the maintenance of the
organization. instead of each club
paying monthly dues as is now the
plan.
\ deduction of 10 per cent from the
gross receipts of each game would
not fall heavily upon any local organ
ization, but at the same time will pay
the running expenses of the league
and leave nice residue upon which
/
any city should be weak finan-
cially and desire to drop out of the
circuit. 1t would then be within the
province of the president to draw up
on this fund for sufficient money to
place the club in another city and
run it there until local people could
be induced to take the franchise,
which they would be given upon the
payment of such money as has been
| taken from the reserve fund to es-
| tablish the club in its new location
The franchise and players of any club
that drops from the league have al
ways been the property of the league
organization, but heretofore no mon
| ey has been available for the officers
to place it in another town. The pres
ent plan will make this possible and
so always keep the league intact. In
addition to this, the granting of each
franchise for term of three years
viii insure each city represented that
if it fulfills all its obligations to the
league, it may retain its franchise
three years with undoubted assurance
| that it will be continued for another
| period of the same length at the eX-
| piration of the first three years. This
will, of course. tend to build up more
confidence in the league and to make
| the franchise of each city a valuable
asset, as each year it will accumulate
its share of the reserve fund. 1t is
provided further that the reserve
fund shall at no time reach more than
$1,000.
League Is Permanent
The good feeling that prevailed
among the representatives of the diff
| ferent towns, and the absolute con
fidence shown by these men in the
ability of the organization to wealth
er any storm, is an indication that
the Three-I league is beyond question
a permanent one. The reluctance
with which Terre Haute and Evans
vile left the league, and the friendly
spirit shown by the other towns il
allowing them TO withdraw and take
| the players reserved with them, is al
so Indicative of the broad spirit OF
interest in the national game. The
Indiana towns hope to build up an
other league which will also shorter
their mileage, and the two leagues
will not interfere with one another
in any way. The showing made by
both Ottumwa and Springfield, each
of whom had several Representatives
at the meeting, demonstrated thai
both these cities realize that a fran
chise in the Three-I is worth seeking
and that they must come prepared to
fulfill all the conditions that will be
exacted from them.
Take Time to Select Towns
The elaboration which is being
shown by the league in making the
best selection from the available