Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-15

ball investment in Springfield. Mass, ly estimated approximates $23,900 of which $9,000 was paid for the fran chise and the balance for building and furnishing the plant.
 Amount of Investments.
 In Hartford the Cameron estate in- vestment amounts to S35,000
 In Hartford the investments of J. H. Clarkin totals $29,500 of which $10,0eo was paid for franchise and the balance for building of plant
 In b5lan6ine these three investments in the aggregate amounting to s93. 400 against two one dollar options and a fifty dollar option. the committee is unanimously If the opinion that these large investments must be safeguard cd. Mir. Carey states: "The Eastern Association in 1914 as a whole suffer- ed loss of about $60.0o0 and I was forced to Eiace a mortgage of three thousand dollars on my plant to pay salaries at the close of the season.
 5ridgeEcrt Franchise.
 We find that the Bridgeport fran chise is owned by J. H. Freeman and the the rlaying grounds by J. H. O'Rourke and that Bridgeport agreed viding some $500 charged as league dues was paid and $S,000 was paid to dissolve the Pittsfield franchise In Pittsfeld we find that the fran chise originally cost S750 and improve nentc about $2,500, most of which amount was subscribed by citizens. Wire From Mir. Plant. We have received a wire from Mr. Plant. owner of the New London fran chIse, withdrawing from the Eastern Association ana casting his lot with | the mercer int creStS
 Ill the last analysis, we find that | four of the six original club members | of the Eastern Association are on record as favoring a merger of the munity. We ffnd that seves of the elght New ErGiend club owners favor | merger. This alliance constitutes an l overwhelmiI g majority of club owners with large financial interests in both | circles.
 | Public Demand For Merger.
 The committee is free to express its opinion that 1t finds a public demand fer the merger.
 These two component interests, viz, | invested property rights and a. gen. l uiue public force the conclusion upon | your committee that the best interests of baseball will be conserved by the allowing of the merger requested.
 Renmbursements Allowed.
 It is the ruling that J. A. Teller of Pittsield be allowed S3,50O to reim- purse him fer the dissolution of his franchise, and that the expense ac- count of J. T. O'Rourke be allowed as $1,eaG. UPon receipts of checks within 15 days or secured notes within i5 days in this cfhce, to extent not over two years, this order will become ef- fective for ten club circuit, compris- ing the towns of Lowell, Lawrence Worcester. Portland and Lynn. of the New England league. and Bridgeport New Haven, Hartford, New Londor and Springelfid of the Eastern Asso. ciation. Again one of the retiring clubs, Manchester, we have on file several salary arrearage claims o players. which must be paid through tkis office w;'kin ten days in order tC permit the club in question to be- come eligible to participate in thu merger plan.
 O'Rourke Expected Merger.
 James H. O'Rourke president of the Eastern Association, commenting oI the merger decision regarding tht Eastern Association and the New Eng ] land league tonight said: T expected it. The report from Au burn merely covers the track of tn ! merger men. It ignores the princi 5 pies of law which are entirely in ou favor. The ruling ignores the law , and constitution of organized baseball anu IS oaseu on mere statements : There is no Justification for the de 5 cision. I shall consult the directors O the Eastern Association, Jack Teller Hugh Reddy and John H. Freeman We have the choice of an appeal t, the national board, the national com l mission and to the law courts. It i
 up to the directors to the Eastern As
 sociation.
 (Signed)
 E. G. BARROW, T. H. MURNANE. J. H. I FARRE, Committee.