Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-10-15
LEAGUE MEETING
JAMES T. HAYES, OF DAVENPORT,
WAS AN EYE WITNESS OF BIG
BASEBALL FIGHT.

ing Account Of the Warm Session
Which Masnates Had With Rockford
orators-concuded With Banquet.
James T. Hayes, manager of the
Davenport Three-I league club, who
was an eye witness at the big fight at
the recent league meeting, has sub
mitted to the following interview,
which appeared in last evenings issue
of the Davenport Times:
Manager Hayes returned last night
from Springfield, where he took a
prominent part in the deliberations of
the magnates of the Three-I league in
annual session. HE reports that the
Rockford question stirred up more ora
tory than has ever been heard at any
annual convention Of the directors.
The morning session opened peace
fully. The minutes were read amid
silence that was deathlike, and every
thing promised to be lovely. The next
thing in the order of business was
the formation of the league for the
coming year and the names Of the
clubs that would be represented. Bier
ing OF Decatur was at once on his
feet and presented resolution that
Rockford be dropped because 1t was
not paying proposition to the league.
The resolution was promptly seconded
and before President Holland had time
to put the question, the fight was on
Rockfords orators all wanted the floor,
and pandemonium reigned supreme.
ip}h E~I,
Manager Hayes this morning to a
Times representative. Rockford had
a fine representation to present it's
cause, and If do have to say it N.Y.
self, Rockford supporters are the gam
est in the country. They not only said
that they would take in as much
money at the gate during this coming
season as Rock Island. Cedar Rapids,
Decatur or Bloomington, but they even
said that if they failed in this, they
would take the money out Of their
pockets to make up the deficiency
The state Of things in the past, how
ever, was against them, and while they
failed to draw crowds that would sup
port the visiting teams, their geograph-
ical situation was also an argument
in their disfayor. Both sides had a
warm session, and the question was
finally put to a vote. Davenport. Rock
Island, Decatur, Springfield said aye
to the resolution; Cedar Rapids re-
fused to vote, and Dubuque said No.
Later Dubuque changed it's vote and
made the motion unanimous.
Rockford Retires.
GAS soon as the vote was lost to
Rockford, the latter's representatives
gracefully retired, and as thay wendell
their way out of the hall, they wished
the league very prosperous career.
The other magnates thought that the
affair would blow over without any
very severe storm, but they were mis-
taken. In the afternoon, j. Stanley
Browne of the Rockford Star, and Fred
into town. Their appearance was the
signal for fresh trouble and it was
then that the directors first heard of
the threats of Injunction proceedings
etc. They say that the matter will be
taken before the courts, and the end
is not yet"
Afternoon Session.
"In the afternoon Peoria applied fo,
admission, it's case being presented
by Hugh Nicol and three other inter
ested parties from that city. Peoria
said that it would stand full share
Of the money and $3.50 in addition tc
what the other clubs offered. 1t was
admitted without dissenting vote.
President Holland then retired, ant
James T. Hayes took the chair for the
election of officers. Biering moved
that Holland be returned to the presi
dency of the league and the vote was
unanimous. The same was the case
with Manager Hayes, who was re
elected vice president. AS there is q
present a surplus of $500 in the
treasury and as it is expected that II
the neighborhood Of $1,000 will BIZ
| handled by the president during the
season of 1905, the bond of that Officer
was raised from $4,000 as heretofore
to $4,000 for the coming season.
Night Session.
"In the afternoon committee com
posed of Sexton of Rock Island, ant
Miller of Decatur, was appointed tt
audit the presidents books. AT thu
night session they reported that the,
had found everything O. K. A com
mittee composed of Biering of Decatur
and Hayes of Davenport, was name,
\ 10 dispose of the Rockford players. A
the night meeting. this committee re
ported that last years players will
the exception Of three would be turned
over to Peoria. Meek and Davidson
had been previously traded to Du
buque for Eastman and Anklam an,
were accordingly out of the question
Jaeger has been sold to Detroit, an,
Rockford will get the money for him
In case, however. he fails to max
good in the bigger league and is re
verted. he will belong to that Three.
team which is lowest in the percent
age column at the time.
President Holland and Vice Pres
dent Hayes We're delegated to repre-
sent this league at the big nationa