Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-02-20

Had this been known at . o'clock yes
terday afternoon. Rock Island would
have carried the meeting easily, and
Marshalltown with its blufing delega-
ton would have had to swallow the
pill Of defeat. Belden Hill with Cedar
Rapids, would have been the only op-
posing factor.
The question arises now, as to what
can be done because no vote was
taken on Rock Island yesterday. JUS
tlce and Hill formed a combination
which could not be broken. and the
president absolutely refused to allow
the cities to vote on Rock Island, de-
claring it illegal. The question among
local fans now. however. is, did Justice
commit an illegality when he refused
to allow the vote to be taken?
MarshalItown Opposes Delay.
Finally a motion was made by Bel
din Hill to vote MarshalItown into the
league. but such a protest went up
that It was overruled by nine out of 10
present.
Then began a fight by the six cities
faVoring Rock Island. to delay the
meeting 10 days and look into the
matter OF territorial rights. Knowing
very we'll that il such 4 step was taken
1t would lose all chance at a Central
franchise this year. AIarshalltown op-
posed the delay. stating that it would
not accept a berth unless it was
awarded at this meeting. Then there
seemed nothing to do but vote Mar
shalltown in, as Justice would not al !
low vote on Rock Island and Mar !
shalitown would not allow n delay But !
once again the cities refused TO vote /
for Marshalltown.
At this point w. \. Reed of Water |
loo. who made a determined fight !
from the beginning to end for Rock
Island, made the proposition to the !
Island City representatives that they /
put up S1,1OO for the guarantee and !
franchise and if they failed to finish \
the season because of territorial trou-
bic the entire amount must be forfe.-
ed. Rock Island agreed to do this /
providing the league would assure it's
assistance in case of fight and were
assured the support OF the Central.
After Reed had made this announce
meDt another motion was made to vote
Rock Island into the league and was
seconded by dozen voices. And
once again, Belden Hill got in a few
words and Justice refused to allow the
vote to be made. Rock Island would
have carried again at TO 1 had the
vote been taken.
Further argument followed and
there seemed but one thing remaining
TO be done; Marshalltown would either
have to be voted in or no vote could |
be taken at all.
Having arrived at this stage, Justice
burst the bomb which exploded all
chances for Rock Island getting into
the league.
He arose and said that he would
never allow a vote to be taken on
Rock Island as it was illegal and Mar
5halltown would have TO be voted in
0r the league would go on with seven
cities.
Right here. three of the cities, Keo-
kuk, Ottumwa and Clinton, wavered
and before the directors had time TO
give the matter second thought the
vote had been taken and Marshalltown
awarded the berth. Rather than make
he vote to 3, the Rock Island sup.
oorters, seeing that they were beaten,
urned around and made the vote un.
but the six cities fought hard
or Rock Island almost up to the fin
sh when it was seen that nothing else
;ould be done.
The Delegates Present.
Those in attendance were:
League officials. NJ. +. Justice, Keo-
xuk, president; T. NJ. Hume, Burling-
on, secretary.
Delegates
Burlington-Tom Green, c. W. Ka-
etsch. c. o. Peterson.
Cedar Rapids-Beldel Hill.
Clinton-B. L. Hough. NJ. w. Pur-
ell.
Keokuk-Louie Sterne.
Muscatine - Frank Boyle, Sam {
Book, c. VI. Weber. \. 5. Lawrence.
Ottumwa-J. c. Bonham.
waterloo-W. ~ Reed. \ J. Will
ORD.
MarshaIltown-T. Wilbur, r. w.
Scott. Charles Hull, \. T. Strube,
;eorge Stone. and two newspaper
men. Fred Pepper and Lynn Fur
usOn.
Rock Island-L. NJ Casteel, +. J.
Mueller. Jack Tighe and two news
'aper men. Z. W. Sullivan and II. F. =
'odhaski.
viii Try Again.
In view OF Secretary Farrell's belat-
d ruling. Rock Island today sounded :
resident Justice and the cities of the \
'entral on reopening the case. II this
done. the Island City VIII undOubted- =
= be admitted.
But whether or not this is done the 4,
ssociation will be kept together n
eady TO take the field when an ac- :,
eptable franchise is available. Mean Z,
lille there are no hard feelings here. n
squibs Ct the Meeting. $
With six cities in favor from the p
cry start there seemed but little o
ope for Marsha.ltown and the boys b
-om the Iowa city were disheartened. }
hey were more surprised than any
ne else when they got the franchise. h
Muscatine seemed even more disap- "a