The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-03
BLOCKS
BETTER BASEBALL
Virginia Magnates Hold Fran
chise at What Is Considered
Prohibitive Price.
BUSINESS MEN INDIGNANT
President Boatwright Defends
Virginia League, Admitting
Richmond Is It's Support.
BUSINESS MEN INDIGNANT

virginia League officials blocked all
plans for bringing the Baltimore club
Of the International League. to this
city Yesterday afternoon. when they
placed what tho local promoters termed
a prohibitive price on the franchise Of
the Richmond team. Tho conference
terminated in less than five minutes
when tho local business men left the
meeting, refusing to countcnance what
they asserted was cold blooded
holdup.'
The conference was held at 800
oclock In the Richmond Hotel. after
the league magnates had held exc
cutivc session to discuss the matter.
Immediately upon entering the room.
Or. William ". Parker. who had been
selected as the spokesman for tile
business men. stated that the Interna-
ional League had agreed ut a meeting
earlier in the day, to permit the trans
fer of the Orioles To Richmond. He
stated that his associates had op
ton on the local team. and that they
desired TO transfer 1t To I,ynchburg, in
order 10 bring the International club
here. He asked what proposition the
leaSue would make for the sale of it's
rights To this territory.
Wa Sto,UbU y ASH
BESIDES LOCAL FRANCHISE
President Boatwright, on behalf of
tho owners, stated that he and his
sociateS had carefully considered tho
matter. and that they had decided that
the league rights I'm Richmond were
worth $4,000 cash. plus the Richmond
team, which. in order to bring the deal
about. the business people must buy
from the present owners. This offer
was turned down. and a counter prop
osition submitted. In effect the local
men promised to purchase the kich-
mond club. turn 1t over To the league,
pay the debts OF the LynchburS team
To the National Commission, and give
the Virginia League S2.5oa in cash.
The league owners IN turn refused to
consider the offer. and the neg citations
came 10 an abrupt end
AS the business men were leaving the
room. President BoatwriGht asked
whether or not the price was TO lie
made public. stating that members of
the press had not been permitted to
attend the executive session. Alvin VI.
Smith. who had heretofore kept quiet.
cmphatically said:
I'VE hy no means want the price kept
from the public. We want as much
publicity given to this matter as pos
siblc. deem the proposition a cold
hloodcd holdup. and wan, the Rich
mond people to know what the Nir-
gina League owners nave attempted
Ia put across"
The other members OF tho party ex-
pressed themselves In similar terms.
and. although given until s O'Clock to
consider the matter. stated that under
no consideration would they return.
Il am dissusted with such "A propo-
sition." one stated. "and believe that
the Richmond people will show their
displcasurc Ivy not patronizing the
league any further. For myself. !
would not give 10 cents to see another
game played by any of its teams"
HoArWHIGIIT DEFENDS
ACTION OF LEAGUE
In defense OF their stand. President
Boatwright and other members of the
league. stated that Richmond was the
only paying city in the Virginia
League. In other words il is the bread
and butter of the league, and IL the
franchise is transferred to Lynchburg
il means that Il reorganization must
lie made. and the class Of ball low
cred. This. they assert. would be the
deata ltncll of the Virginia League
The cash offer of $500 was laughed
at b% them.
why. amy team in the league can
come to Richmond on Saturday and
get $500" President Boatwright said
and Vet that is All il would get on
Of the division of this sum YOU offer"
ON the other hand. the business men
tsN|i hH.il int NIblHl1 League Is
trying to hold them up for more than
$4,000. In the first place. they must
pay $1,000 for the Richmond team. and
then turn a $4,000 asset over to the
ieaSue. and vet give il $4,000 in cash
in addition. and pay the s700 owed
by LvnchburS.
Why, it Is prcposterous." stated T.
Elwood Tragic. after the conference
DR.. Parker. in his short talk to the
league. put up strong argument IIe
told the league officials that they must
realize that the citizens of Richmond
are anxious for better ball. and that il
was suicidal to run counter to the SON
tiinent OF the whole city.
WILL REACT on LEAGUE
SAYS DIR. PARKER
Your proposition will react on the
league. he stated. 1T is not a fair
one and IL is absolutely beyond our
means to accept tho offer, even III we
cared to submit TO such a hold-up"
The business mems committee con-
sisted of DR.. w. Fl. Parker. IT. f
Tragic, George NJ. Cease. T. A. Daffron.
Grover G. Dula and Alvin NJ Smith.
The committee dissolved without
ceremony after the conference