The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-08-28
Minority Stockholders to
Meet Today.
.ICHkRD TnLIS MAY
OWN COMPANY OUTRIGHT
lrouble Has Been Brewing for
Some lime.
Directors Have Considered Proposition
To Sell Franchise because Of Poor
Attendance, Reporting That Much
Money was Being Lost.

From the statements of some of the
minority stockholders of the Montgom-
cry Baseball Company there will be
called meeting this afternoon for the
purpose of putting the baseball conf
pany into the hands of a receiver.
Trouble has been brewing In local
baseball circles for some time. but the
elimination came yesterday wnen q
circular letter was sent by the baseball
company to the minority stockholders.
asking them to turn their stock over
to Richard Tillis. One OF the minority
stockholders said yesterday that he
had several shares of stock for which
he had paid in cash SIS snare. About
thtrty-five other minority stockholders
he said. had paid cash for stock just as
he had. and as they do not propose u
giveup the stock without value received.
the meeting this aftrnoon Is called TO
take action on the matter
Some weeks ago. 1t will DE remem-
bered by readers of The Advertiser,
the directors Of the baseball company
held a meeting to consider a PROPOSE
tion that had been uade them for the
purchase of the Montgomery franchise.
This was done. SO the baseball associa-
ton says. because OF the poor attend
ance given the game here in Montgom-
cry. and IL 1t was bluff ii had the de-
sired effect, for the attendance began
to pick UP right away. That 1t was not
altogether bluff was shown by later
been putting money in local baseball
year after year. had determined not to
put the same money IN any more. One
of the directors-|aD officer--who had
for the last six years financed local
baseball affairs. and time after time
pulled the local association out of a
tight place, stated unequivocally that
in the future he would pay his money
at the gate. In other words he said
that he was through with any future
connection with the baseball associa-
ton.
Now comes the significant part Of
the story. About this time certain OF
the minority stockholders were ap-
preached with an offer of So cents on
the dollar for their stock, the parties
making the offer stating that 1t was Tor
Mr.. Tillis. Numbers of the minority
stockholders refused to sell. but several
of them did sell their stock at just one
half the money that they paid for 1t.
and 1t is said that Mr.. Tiliis now owns
company, the other twenty per cent
being held by the minority stockhold-
ers.
That there was q big change work
known for some weeks. The plans
have virtually been contaminated for
the present baseball company to be
dissolved at the close OF the present
was for Richard Tillis. owner of the
Montgomery Traction Company, to take
over the BASEBALL franchise and furnish
the sinews of war for baseball in Mont.
gomery next season. A meeting of the
baseball association was to have been
held this week to arrange these details
but it was postponed.
Mr.. Tillis. 1t is said. by owning eighty
per cent of the stock. controls local
baseball affairs now, but TO own the
company outright he will have to get
hold of the twenty per cent or the min
ority stockholders. amounting to sever
al thousand dollars. There are about
thirty-fiye of these minority stockhold-
ers with holdings ranging from three
to twenty shares each, and from the
statements of some of the largest of
the minority stock holders, they are de
termined on getting at least dollar for
dollar for their stock.
The present Montgomery Baseball
Company was organized in March, 1907.
agreeing to take the franchise and re-
sponsibilitles from the Montgomery
Traction Company, which was then
owned by Mr.. Apperson. Under the
terms of the agreement the Traction
Company was to give a certain amount
monthly to the Baseball Company and
keep the grounds, stands. ETC.. in order
pany was incorporated for SIS 900 with
r. ]. Chambers as President. and
Thomas j. Reynolds. e. B. Joseph. Jr
S. j. Mohr. Bernard Frank and FIVE
others as directors, Mr.. TiIlis being put
on the Board in the place OF Mr.. Rag
land. when the former bought the
Montgomery Traction Company.
The meeting OF the minority stock
holders is called for this afternoon. and
the result will be watched with inter-
est by local baseball fans and local
business men,