The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-17
Topeka Baseball Team to Pass
into Other Hands.
o. H. Morris of Springfield
Wants 1t.
NO PAY FOR FRANCHISE
The Local Men Are Glad to Let
Go.
Rumors of Sunday Ball Games
Are Revived.

The ownership of the Topeka Base
ball association viii very likely change
hands tonight. The board of directors
will probably transfer it to o. H. Nor
ris of Springfield, Mo, on his agreement
to assume its present obligations,
amounting to a sum slightly in excess
of $500. Mr.. Morris viii come to To-
peka and maintain the team here, if
the negotiations go through as antici-
pated.
The Topeka association has accom-
plished the purpose and aim of its or
ganlzation, namely the starting of
league team in the city. Mr.. Morris is
very DESTROYS of getting the franchise.
He is willing to put money into the
game, by the building of a park OF
his own and the maintenance of
strong club. For several days past ne
has been in correspondence with the
local association. This morning a let
ter was received from him stating his
position definitely. The directors OF
the Topeka. association have little time
to give to the management of the team,
and are willing to give it up to a man
who is willing to come here, risk his
money, and give Topeka a professional
team in the league. That is what Mr..
Morris is willing to do, and the matter
win be formally voted upon tonight.
Mr.. Morris will be in Topeka in a few
days if the action of the board tonight
IS favorable to his proposition, and a
formal transfer of the franchise will
probably take place shortly.
The majority of the directors are in
favor of Mr.. Morris proposition. Pres
ident Thomas Sheard. Secretary Logan,
Ralph Moore and w. L. Taylor are
among those who are satisfied to make
the transfer. None of these gentlemen
mas time to run a baseball team, and
If they are assured that the club will
stay in Topeka. they are willing to lay
aside their immediate interests in the
matter, with the understanding that all
of the obligations which were entered
into will be properly taken care of, and
the change carries with it every honor
able aspect.
Into this also comes the question
of Sunday baseball. The transfer is
not made for that purpose by any
means. That question will be up to
the people of this city and Mr.. Nor
ris. If he wishes to have games on
the Sabbath he must fight out that
Topeka association is willing to step
out and wishes to, is for the simple
purpose of getting the management
of the team off its hands. Baseball is
a business by itself and means bar
rels of trouble and worry. In the
contemplated transfer Mr.. Morris will
take the team as it is, with all its
obligations and the franchise If he
plays through the season he will get
hack $500 for the franchise from the
league at the end of the season. This
Will practically Hquidate the present
Indebtedness. No conversation has
been had with Mr.. Morris about Sun
day baseball, nor viii any be had
He made the proposition while the
Springfield team played here last
week, and has written since concern
ing it. He is a man of integrity and
unquestionable fine baseball and BUSH
ness sense. and if given the team it
Will be well taken care of. Whatever
he does with it is a matter foreign to
the Topeka Baseball association be-
yond one pertinent matter, namely
that team remain in Topeka as long
as the Missouri Valley league is in ex-
1stence, or until the city goes into a
larger league. That is the only con-
diton which the Topeka association
Will ask of Mr.. Morris
For some time past it has been dem
onstrated that the Topeka directorate
Is composed of men who are too b1Isv
with their business affairs to also run
q baseball team. Two meetings within
the past three weeks have been attend
ed by but three members of the board
and had to be postponed because of the
absence of a quorum. None of the
present directorate ever intended to
make money out of baseball in this
city. They desired to get a team
started and keep it here. Mr.. Morris
proposes to do this. and it is very pro
bable that he viii be given a. chance
Already quorum of the directorate