Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-12-01
QUINCY MUST
STAY IN LEAGUE
MAGNATEs OF CENTRAL REFUSE
TO ALLOW GEM CITY
TO GO.
70 SHORTEN SEASON
Directors Want Ball Playing to Cease
Labor Day-Monn1outh and
Gaiesburg Assessed Fines
Turn Down Offer.

Gaiesburg Assessed Fines
Turn Down Offer.
Quincy was not given release from
the Central association yesterday at
the meeting OF the directors In Gales
burg and next season may see MUS
catine in this league to fill the place
OF the Gem City. The offer of $4,000
for Quincy's release was rejected ana
II Quincy does not desire to have q
team in the league next year, Its ter
ritory will lay idle. Monmouth was as
sessed $3.50 for failure to reach the
guaranteed attendance, and Galesburg
was advised to produce $241 for the
same offense. The directors went on
record favoring season of 131 games,
beginning May 2 and closing LABOR
day.
tumwa Leabue Baseball club, repre-
sented this city, and with the kewanee
representatives voted favorably to &C
cepting Quincy's offer Of $4,000 for It's
release.
The Case Of Quincy.
The case of Quincy was taken up
the first things after the meeting was
called to order at the Elks club. Presi-
dent Justice called The meeting to or
der with room full of delegates,
Quincy being represented by nine In
diyiduals. Harry Hofer, Of that city,
made lengthy plea for release, read
ing number of letters from promi-
nent people and organizations urging
him to get out Of the Central associa-
tion. and declaring that they would not
support Central association base pail
in the future. In consideration OF this
sentiment Mr.. Hofer urged that
Quincy be released, Offering the sum
of $3.50 and Quincys share OF the pro-
ceeds from the Monmouth and Gales
burg cash penalties for shortage IN at
tendance. and also desiring to be
credited with $500 which he said MUS
catfne ought to pay to get into the
circuit. This, he thought, would repre-.
sent fully 81 800 IN cash, which Quincy
would be paying for it's release. The
cash offer of $3.50 was quickly turned
down as q Joke, and Mr.. Hofer was
frankly told that it was useless to sup
pose the association would let Quincy
of for anything like such sum IL
at all.
hofer Raises tho Bid.
Thereupon Mr.. Hofer doubled MS
cash offer, making it $1,000 straight,
but that was also refused unanimously.
Mr. Hofer then attempted to secure an
offer from the Central association, but
was informed that the association was
not making dickers concerning Its ter
ritory that 1t was up to Quincy TO
make q definite offer.
Meanwhile, on motion holly op-
posed by Mr.. Hofer, the Quincy dele
cation was asked to retire from the
room, while the directors considered
the matter Of Quincy's offer. After
much argument, in which Hofer In
situated that 1t was an unfair method
and smaeked Of star chamber pro-
ceedings, and insistently argued
against the motion, the delegates
voluntarily retired with the exception
of Hotter, who, as director In the as
sociation, had right to remain.
Continuing his protests that Quincy
under no circumstances would play
ball in the Central association, Mr..
Hofer urged that the association make
proposition on the basis of which
Quincy could retire. But this was re-
fused and the meeting adjourned for
lunch.
$500 No Temptation.
Upon reassembling Mr.. Hofer stated
that on consultation with his delega-
ton he had decided to offer the asso-
citation $500 cash for Qu1ncy's re-
lease. 1t was somewhat of a shock
to. him, when, after brief discussion,
in which the predominating sentiment
was against releasing Quincy at any
price, the association refused Quincy's
offer by a vote of Ave to two; OF
tumwa and Kewanee voting to accept.
The most weighty reason for the re-
fusal was that the Quincy territory
was too valuable to lose, that It's elm
ination from the circuit would detract
from the leagues standing. that
Quincy had not been fair to the Cen
trail association in the methods It's d.
rectors and press had used in stirring
up q sentiment against the Central
association, and that release of
quincy would imperil other portions Of
the associations territory, and pos
sibly put the circuit In turmoil.
other considerations were that the re-
lease Of Quincy would stir up revo.
luton in the Three-I league, which
might spread to other circuits and
cause trouble. Higher league officials
had urged against the release Of
Quincy from the, Central on this
ground.
A Business Proposition.
The action of the Central associa-
ton directors was purely one Of bust
ness and self-protection. This was
made clear to the Quincy people, who
were apparently slow to understand
the earnestness Of the directors, and
thought the whole proceedings was
game OF hold-up.
The refusal Of the offer Of $4,000
was IN eye-opener to them, and for
the flrst time brought to their atten-
ton the serious attitude ofithes Central
association against the release OF
such valuable property as Quincy.
Quincy's Course
What. Quincy will do is prob
lematical, but it looks, at this time, as
though there would be no, league ball
in that city next season. The Quincy
directors have pledged themselves I'M
der no circumstances to play ball In
the Central association, and have
e+irred I'm sreh a spirit OF animoSity