The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-08-18
BUSINESS MEN
REJECT OFFER
WILL NOT TRY TO SAVE WHEEL
ING FRANCHISE.
VIM. Somerfield States Ball Clubs
Proposition Was a Very
Fair One.

When the Wheeling business Mems
Association yesterday declined the
proposition submitted TO them by the
owners OF the Wheeling Central
League base ball club. this city prob
ably lost its last opportunity OF hold
ing franchise in a Glass n league
Indications now are that the franchise
will be sold to one of the many towns
that are bidding for il. and unless
some OF the other teams are trans
ferred here. Wheeling will lie with
out team in professional base ball
After hearing the proposition sub
mitted yesterday morning al the meet
ing held by the directors OF the asso-
citation and the owners Of the club
the business men dropped all neeo-
tiations for the purchase Of tho team
The owners OF the club. while APP
parently unpopular with the fans of
this city. made concessions to the bus
mess men in an effort 10 have the
franchise retained here. In fact they
we're willing to lose several thousand
dollars TO have the franchise retained
in Wheeling. which is something that
very few managers would have done
under the existing circumstances.
William Somerfield. a member Of
the Business Mems Association. and
chairman Of the committee appointed
by that association to consider the
purchase OF the team. stated that the
offer was n very reasonable one and
urged the association IN take over tho
franchise. He submitted proposition
TO organize a stock company. with
capital Of $4,000. shares TO be sold AT
J. H. L.
payable on April LIST. and each sub
sCrihcr 20 stock was TO take ST. 20
worth OF tickets. which would Cuaran-
tee a daily attendance 10 the first 30
games OF 400 not counting the attend
ance of the regular fans who are not
subscribers TO tho team The other
So 90 was 10 be made payable on DC
tober lst in cash. and II N" receipts
justified. 8 per cent. dividend was
20 be declared All money made over
this amount was 70 be used I'm pro
mo'ing affairs like Halloween events
and those of Ike nature. His propo-
~'tion was not considered. however.
sonertield Talks.
In speaking 10 a reporter as q mem
her Of The business Mems Association.
Mr. Somcrfcld said The PROPOSE
zion submitted by Mr. Irwin on be
hale 81 tho base hall association was
or" that was more than fair The
franchise was offered AZ a figure
which. from base ball standpoint. 7
consider n sacrifice however. the
business men did not feel inclined 20
take over the franchise. and 7 am OF
tho opinion thai Mr. Irwin will trans
fer ~" team 20 some other town and
Wheeling will he without a berth I'm
~" Central The management of the
team has lost a large sum Of money
i1 kccning the franchise here. and
have done everything in their power
70 keep Wheeling in the league"
NJ Irwin. whom seen last evening
sold. "Thc Offer We made rho bust
ues- r'"v was = good propoeition. in
NV csfir,a'ion. huf when thov r. fecfcd
The offer thero wore no hard feelings
on tho part ~ tho haIl association
We know that We are unponu'ar IN
base ball circles and are willing 10
soil tho team ~ n reasonable figure
20 have o. retained I'm This CITY Now
/ that our offer has been rejected. we
will consider tho many offers OF other
towns 20 sell tho franchise We have
lost q large amount - money and VIII
soil rho team 10 some other town II
Wheeling does not care 20 buy the
franchise
Mr. Irwin stated that he had not
conferred with other members ~ the
bali association and was not able at
This time 20 state whether tre team
would De retained in Wheeling for
rho balance ~ the season or taken 70
some other town