The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-17
Western Clubs Vote With Rich
mond Owner Only on
One Question
THEN THEY STAND TOGETHER
Facts Concerning Recent Line
Up in Virginia League
Baseball Circles.
Especial to The rl,nos,Dlspa,ch,

'SpSSidi 10 Inc IIlncS- DlSpat ten
Norfolk, Va. FEBRUARY ls--It is
generally understood throughout the
Virginia League circuit shat there is
little love either In Roanoke Lynch
burg, or Danville for Owner Bradley
OF the Richmond Club, and one thing
which has puzzled the fans for months
concerns the reason why Danvillc and
LynchhurE lined up with Richmond to
defeat MIR. Williams, of Roanoke, tor
the presidency OF the league. The
whole story leaked out here during tho
meeting OF the league Moguls on
Thursday. 1t Is case OF not that
we hated Bradley less. but Williams
more
Hero are the facts; LynchburE
''sourcd' on President Williams last
summer, although before that 1t was
his staunch supporter II was all he
cause OF his rigid enforcement Of dis
cipline. Senator Stocksdalc. tho OLD
gray fox leader q the Snocmakcra,
and his boys were repeatedly nnod Tor
lighting back" at umpires and a
williams forced their payment. and as
1t is the rule OF clubs to pay the fines
OF players. theas came out OF the treas
Try OF the CLUB Kicks were in vain.
They had to be paid. Lynchburg then
determined 10 Gust Williams, and
owner Bradley. who also had cause
10 hate AIR. williams ,or this and
other reasons, was willing partner
10 this end.
Puzzled by Dnnville.
But, why do Denviiie turn against
Williams? is the question that puzlied
everybody. It is true that DanNille
players were fined. but 1t IL also true
that owing 10 the financial condition
Of the club and its weakness. the ma
lorlty of the fine ewere RENTED oY
Mr. Williams, and Darville didn't have
This compliant, agains, him. .>nd al
along Danvilie had been his warm
friend and supporter. Why tho change
of front?
II fell to the lot OF II. +. Elliott. OF
Roanoke. the former owner OF the
Norfolk Club, 10 give explanation. II
aesn.7 that Mr.. Williams late last sea
son. realizing the financial ~eaNhesa
OF Danvilie and the tnct that - q
moor baseball city, all clubs losing
money on each visit 10 the city, Tor
tho GOOD OF baseball in Virginia, de-
,.r,niu-o that there should be u change
In tho circuit THE 10 he brouShl aoout
by the elimination o. banvi!le.
Las, season tho DanVille club Was
saved from hitting The wall only oy
s;aunch friends COINS down In thei'
pockets, after appeals By the daiiy
papers, Tor tns HsCcS9h'-
Iscen The cluo aHoa.. Mr. Williams
wise 10 this. and that the needed
money was barely raised, the club
crlopl!ug itself ny selling players at
one ,tmc opealy advocated the drop
ming OF Danvlle. OF course. with mis-
explanation, It Is plain 70 sec why
Danyll!e turned against Mr.. Williams
Hest Intcrcsts OF League
Mr.. Elliott boldly argues that Mr.,
Williams was standing for inc best
interests o. tho league Realizing that
Newport News would be far superior
10 Danvillc as a baseball town and
chat THIS stand for what ne conceived
10 b. the right thing. cost him the one
vote needed to retain the p-esidcncy
Mr. Elliott slorics in Mr.. W!lliams's
BOLD stand for the interests OF the
league
And the real cream OF the story is
th!s TINT the rupture over the ques-
ton OF the presidency or the oustlng
OF Mr. Williams in no way lessened
the friendship between the three west
ern cities or their determination 10
stand together {. necessary 10 hold
franchises Mr., Bradley was tho cats
paw used to get Mr.. Williams out.
Tho had no intention OF standing
with him m other matters In fact,
this vas tho understanding when they
nanocuvred to have tho Newport News
franchise awarded TO AFR, Snead. OF
Danville. They were certain OF Roa
noka's support. for its admission in
the league depended upon ii;
And. furthermore. before the his
torical Norfolk meeting Of Thursday,