The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-31
ny GUS MALnEIur.

ny GUS MALBEI,T.
Norfolk, Va, December 30--As q
final solution Of the present state of
affairs in the Virginia League, caused
by the stand taken by the Norfolk
owners, 1t was decided at the confer
cncc held here, after sessions covering
the better part of two days, that
meeting of the league would be called
to be held in Richmond on January 10
provided that before that time guar
antees had been received from New
port News and Portsmouth that teams
in those two cities would be conducted
by the prospective owners during the
entire season.
After palavering and haranguing for
moro hours sthan it Is fair to state,
Messrs. Consolvo. Cheshire and Cor
man, of the Norfolk corporation, with
advice from Mr.. Van Patten, who repre-
scented the Portsmouth team, aud a. @.
Omohundro, who is recorded as presi-
dent of the Norfolk aggregation
agreed to the proposition of an eight
club circuit, with portsmouth and New
port News as the additional clubs
Tho wrangle had assumed such an
aspect as foreboded disaster for the
league, and it was only the action of
the more sober-minded that finally sue
ceeded in rescuing the conference from
disaster.
Action Taken Not Final.
1t must not be presumed that the
action at tho Norfolk meeting is maj.
Nor must 1t be construed that Pres,-
dent Williams will call a meeting OF
tho league on January TO- None or
this is fact. President Williams Will
l,c has In
hand guarantee from the two new
clubs that they will meet the demand
for a $4,000 guarantee.
REPORTS to the contrary not"1th
standing. the fact remains that ti,e
purpose of determining just what couia
be done. s,yer
Al first it looked as if the ans"el
would he "nothing." That was Scstei
day. when Consolvo and Sheshtrc ano
German wanted more than couid il'ts'
been granted. They wanted seheu
ule which would have deprived iien-
mond of the weekend games wy
wanted a s225 guarantee Tor each so,
ries of games played. and they Wante ~
other concessions TOO huiiiei o'9 -
mention.
Nothing Doing First Day.
Naturally tho meeting on the 1lrs'
day resulted in nothing. The eight
c1nb league was discussed. but even
Norfolk failed TO respond to the suS
pestions made Portsmouth was INV
stunning block, because Noriolh
stated positively that no suSgcstioi
would he considered in which Ports
mouth was not regarded as posi-
biIitv The several questions were dls-
cussed, but still no agreement conla pe
reached.
finally it was decided that an eight
club league would be the solution OF tn,
entire situation. But on arrlNal q.
This point President Williams statee
that he was unwilling to call meet
inc of the league for the purpose o.
talking over chimerical propositions
He added that what he wanted was
guarantee from the prospective cltles
that they would be prepared to carr!
out their contracts, providing, OIL
course that the other cities of the
league would also agree to this nroVlsc
and would deposit similar amount
After much talk and many arguments
this was finally decided upon.
Guarantee Furnishes Trouble.
The next stumbling block came whell
the question of guarantee was uncoy-
cred Norfolk wanted as minimum
amount s2OO To this neither Mr.. Brad
lev ror Mr.. Williams would agree
Talk followed And then followed more
talk. This was to-day. The early
morning session was held, but 1t was
held without Williams, who was un-
avoidably absent. His absence did not
stop Bradley and Consolvo from talk
ing over matters.
The result of that talk was that the
meeting held after lunch lasted but
fifteen minutes Then 1t was decided
that an eight-club league was the solu-
ton, with the provisos already stated
George Booker, representing Newport
News, and !. C. Van Patten, represent
ing Portsmouth, sad that the matter
of $1,000 was mere bagatelle and
that what was really wanted was base
ball.
This statement settled everything
and 1t required but minute to deter
mine that If the guarantee was forth
coming an eight-club league was sat
| isfactory. The question of guarantee
for the three games played in any town
was waived by the representatives OF
| the Norfolk club, who declared tina,
they We're willing to abide by the de.
| cision OF the meeting TO be held in jan
uary in this regard.
Matters still Unsettled.
| Regardless Of how optimistic we may
| be, we must still regard the status OF
| the Virginia League as unsatisfactory
\ If the meeting Is called in January, il
rmeains to be seen whether or not the
two additional clubs will come up with
| the money. If they do. then it is plair
! sailing; but If they do not then what
George Booker, who declared openly