The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-02-09
Topeka's Baseball Situation Re-
mains Unchanged Today.
Meeting ut Commercial Club
Fails to Produce Results.
HOT WORDS FLY THICkLY
Bank Officials and Old D1rec-
tors Clash ut Meeting.
Committee Is Appointed to
Open Peace Negotiations.

open fe0ce NcSOtl0tlOMSs
Hot talk that failed to generate the
tiniest spark of enthusiasm was the
result Of the meeting held at the
Commercial club at noon today for the
purpose of taking steps toawrds rails
ing money to keep the baseball club
in Topeka.
After stating the proposition that
the German-American bank had made
to the Commercial club this morning
to turn over the franchise to the peo-
pie of Topeka for $500, secretary of
the club, ]. Will Kelley, yielded the
floor to Messrs. Catlin and Benson who
shot hot words at each other for ten
minutes, assisted occasionally by
Messrs. Mueller and Auerbach. Fin
in both hostile camps and Messrs.
Catlin and Auerbach withdrew
from the field after stating that they
were entirely out of the proposition
Then, i general baseball discussion
was INDUCED in all around the table.
The bank officials told how they had
offered to take a bigger loss than any
one else connected with the club.
Spencer Arthur Abbott told how a
team would be a certain money maxi
err next season, and others present
aired their baseball knowledge with
out getting anywhere on the prOpo-
sitiOn at issue.
Must Get Together.
1t was the general opinion that it
would be impossible to raise money
while the old directors and their
friends held alOOf from thee ampaign.
Also, the bank officials stated that
they could not take less than $4,000
hrinUinO chi q inst fho old
directors for the balance, and many
thought that it would not be fair to
ask them to do SO. -'.-..s--''-~"'--
The bank officials stated that they
refused to grant an extension of the
option given the old directors because
President O'Neill of the Western
league had instructed them that as
owners of the franchise they would
have to have representative at the
Chicago meeting. However, they said
that the $4,000 proposition they made
the directors still held good and that
they could take advantage of it at
any time and close their deal with
Mr. Savage accordingly. The old di-
rectors stated that they would not and
could not close a deal with Mr.. Saw
grant an extension or time on their
option. a.is s~s
Would Exercise Option.
Also. the bank officials stated that
the attorney of the old directors told
the bank at the time the $4,000 OPP
ton was given that the old directors
would exercise the option at the end
OF ten days il no other buyer had
been found in the meantime. ~
Finally, it was agreed that it would
be necessary to get the officials of the
bank and the old directors together
before anything could be done, and
with a view to this, a committee COM
Of Ev-nr 7
Stansfield and George Godfrey Moore
was appointed to call on the old direc-
tors at o'clock and attempt to get
them take the banks proposition, after
which a campaign to. raise. money
could be inaugurated.
Bank to Sue.
Following the refusal of the direc-
tors of the old Topeka baseball cor
pOration to close deal with A. J..
Savage on the terms made to him
when he was in Topeka last week, E.
ID. McKeever, attorney for the Ger
man-American bank announced this
afternoon that suits would be filed
sometime today by the bank to collect
the money owed to the bank, by the
ball club. .t.
The bank alleges that this money
is secured by the seven directors and
suits will be brought against them in
dividually for approximately $4,000
each. Wheeler and Switzer have been
employed to assist Mr.. McKeever with
the suits.
The seven directors of the club are:
Arch NJ. Catlin, H. A. Auerbach, S. J..
Bear, Carroll NJ. Merriam. Guilford
Dudley. Chester Woodward and F. p.
Metzger. S'1-T'
The Savage Deal.
A. ]. Savage of Kansas City, who
has been trying to close a deal for the
purchase OF the club since the middle
OF January, arrived in Topeka Monday
afternoon for the purpos eof accept
ing a poropostion that had been made
to him by the old directors of the club.
A meeting was held at the German
American bank Monday night at
which Mr.. Savage told the directors
he was ready to close a deal with
But, owing to the fact that the OPP
ton the bank had given the directors
had expired. the directors refused to
negotiate with Mr.. Savage and told
him he swould have to do bushes
with the bank. Officers of the bank
offered to allow the deal to be closed.
hut still the old directors refused.
Then. Mr. Savage and the officers OF
the bank held a consultation with J
will Kelley, secretary Of the Commer-
.cial club, and it was decided to call
another business mems meeting at
noon today to see II enough money
could not be raised to make it pos
sible for Mr.. Savage to buy the team.
According to the statement OF Mr..
Savage, the bank wants to clear up
the old debt and it will take more
money than he feels like putting into
the proposition to do this and to buy
new players and put the club into
shape to make 1t a contender for the
remnant in this years race. However.
IL the business men will raise some
thing like $1,000. Mr.. Savage will put
mn the rest and will take charge at
once and go to Chicago to attend the
Western League meeting.
Savagc's Proposition.