The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-02-22
PLOTS AND SCHEMES
SPALDING'S RESIGNATION SIMPLY
FIRST MOVE IN HIS
PLAN
AMERICAN IS INTERESTED
Freedman and Brush May Join
johnson League, and Ban
Thinks Well of the
idea.

CHICAGO, Feb 21.-This unexpected
resignation of Spalding is simply the first
move in his plan to sever all relations
with the Freedman faction and play out
TINS seasons schedule on four-club
basis. Spalding's letter of resignation was
evidently written under the direction of
his attorney, and will undoubtedly figure
IN the trial of the Spalding- Freedman
law suit in New York
MI. Spalding, in his letter of resigna-
ton, says that it was because of a re-
quest from four clubs that he took the
stand which has brought the affairs OF
the National league into the courts and
that as the playing season is approach
ing and number of financial problems
are to be solved, he will not further en-
barrass the owners of the Brooklyn, Phil
adelph1a, Pittsburg and Chicago clubs
unless they are willing to abide by his
policy and continue if necessary with a
four-club circuit. He concludes by say
ing that it is up to Hart, Dreyfuss Rog-
ers and Ebbitts to either meet Saturday
In P1ttsburg and to assume the respon-
slbllity by either continuing the fight
against Freedman or to surrender to the
opposition and accept whatever terms
may be handed out to them
Reading between the lines of Spald-
ing letter, it is plain to see that he has
decided on a four-club circuit and that
ne wants to go before the public with
a vote of Endorsement from Chicago.
Pittsburg, Philadelphia and Brooklyn be-
fore beginning active preparations for tie
coming playing season.
1t is safe to predict that Spalding
knows that he can count on the votes of
Hart Rogers, Dreyfuss and Ebbitts for
the simple reason that these magnates
know that Freedman hates them cordial
ly, and will not listen to any plan of
compromise by which they could secure
a Ialr nearing. In brief the affairs of
the National league are so badly involved
ana the members of the Spalding faction
nave gone so far in their efforts to drive
out Freedman that they cannot afford to
turn back now, and must as a matter of
self-protection continue to herd together
When Johnson meets the club owners
IN the American league at their annual
spring meeting in Detroit next month.
he will be prepared to submit at least
three new plans for expanding and i'm
proving the present playing circuit of the
league. Johnson will also go into the
meeting armed with three schedules, ard
as a result there will be no friction over
choice dates nor delay in giving out the
schedule adopted, no matter what action
is taken in disposing Of the circuit prob
lem.
1t is fact that Johnson looks with
favor on the proposition to form ten
club circuit by adding the New York and
Cincinnati National league clubs to the
present list. Both Freedman and Brush
are ready and eager to break away from
the National league, proving they can
make satisfactory arrangements with the
American league.
Comiskey, Killilea, and one or two
others of the leading men in the Amer
lean league are said to favor the ten
club plan, and it will be strongly pushed
at the Detroit meeting.
Johnson's first idea was to transfer the
Baltimore team to New YORK and con-
solidate the Cleveland and Cincinnati
teams in the last named city. But the
events and incidents Of the last forty
eight hours convinced Johnson that it
would be bad policy to surrender the
Baltimore and Cleveland territory at this
time, especially as there is more than an
even chance that Sunday games can be
played in Cleveland this year
There is no doubt but wat a deal of
this sort, If consummated, will meet with
popular favor in both Cincinnati and New
York. Brush has quietly sounded the
Cincinnati public on the subject through
the medium Of the newspapers and the
result shows the American league senti-
ment in that city is growing stronger
every day.
Ashley Lloyd, the secretary and treas
urer, and John McPhee, the manager of
the present Cincinnati club, both indorse
and favor the scheme, while Business
Manager Bancroft is jubilant over the
prospects. McPhee said yesterday:
IF we go into the American league I
will have to hustle around for new play
ers, as 1 want a bit stronger team The
teams in Ban JohnSon's league are all so
COMPOUNDED strong that the Reds as they
appear now, would not look to have much
of chance. Perhaps it will be possible
to get some good ball players if the deal
goes through. You see. the Reds look
good enough in the National league as
it is now made up, but we cannot deny
that the American league is much strong