The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-15
COULD DRAFT TOPEKA.
Only Way Western League Could Get
a FoOthoId Here.

The Western league meets in st. Louis
TO-DAY and the proposed acquisition Of
is not likely this city will be taken in, for
the simple reason that the Western
peka by the payment of $3.50 to the Val
ley league as the national agreement re-
Quires.
The exchequer of the Western league
is like burst soapbubble- The past
season has been losing venture every
where with the exception of Omaha and
DeS MoineS. Consequently the per cent
of the gate receipts which goes into the
year, and, badly as Topeka may be want
ed. the price may be just a little too
steep.
Then there is another reason. The pres
ent six clubs in the Western league-Oma-
6a, Des MONIES. Sioux City, St. Joseph,
ing under three-year agreement, made
up in 1902 Consequently there is still one
could be ousted then the Valley and
Western leagues might merge, using the
pest towns on both circuits. Such prop
os1t1on was discussed between the mana
gers of both leagues, but George Tebeau,
who owns the franchises at Colorado
the two towns in the Western under the
three-year agreement. Consequently that
league will remain just as it was during
1904 unless the manager decide at their
ST. Louis meeting today to buy into To-
peka or some of the good Three-I league
towns.
President Shiveley of the Missouri VAL
ley league was in Topeka on Friday af-
ternoon and was asked with reference to
the situation. He replied: IF Colorado
Springs and Denver could have been put
out of the Western that league and the
Valley would have been merged. There is
little question about that. Percy Chamber
lain, owner of the ST. Joe team, came to
see me last week with reference to get
ting Topeka anyway without buying in
! told him that the Western must keep
its hands off my circuit. From the way
he talked do not think that the Western
league will buy Topeka. although, of
course am not sure about that. 1 know
however, that the only way that Sexton
VIII get Topeka is for him to draft it at
the price of $500 If he decides to do
that we can not help ourselves"
He was asked concerning the Valley
league and its prospects for next year
ana replied; Il have applications today
from Oklahoma City, Guthrie, Atchison.
Chanute, Wichita and Parsons for fran
chises in the Valley. Guess that looks
pretty good"
Unless the Western buys into the cir
cult. what towns will it be composed of
next year?" was asked.
Inat is hard to say. We will not hold
our annual meeting until after the New
York meeting of the National Association
takes place November %. All of the towns
which composed the Valley circuit in 1904
have paid protection for next year, and
If any of them go out it will be of their
own volition, or their being bought out by
some other town. But in reality / can say
nothlng concerning next years circuit.
Louis, the New York meeting and the in
tentlons OF the different Valley managers
and their decisions governing next years
conduct of the Valley may change pres
would be useless to prognosticate any
thing for next year just now"
: me western league meeting at St
Louis may last over Monday of next
ton are Just now at a very crucial point
and need expert repairing.