Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-02-04
Bextsa, Flanisaa and Three Others
T. Attend Chicago Meeting and
Grab Franchise

After being D stranger to Rock
Island for three seasons, while 9TH
er live towns Of the same size and
less supported winning teams, or
eanixed baseball for this city be-
came al but m assured fact In q
meeting Of hackers Of the sport in
the Harper house ballroom last
night.
A temporary organization was ef-
fected, and It was decided to give
every fan IN the city shot ut MEM
bership in the club by offering for
sale shares In the Rock Island
Baseball association, at $40 each, no
limit to the number purchased.
Further, 1t was decided to cam
paign especially to have $4,000 in
the treasury by the end Of the week,
that the $4,000 required to be post
ed a. q forfeit for a franchise In
the Three-Eye league be on hand
to put up at the league meeting in
Chicago Monday. At this time it is
expected that Rock Island will have
. fairly good chance at securing a
franchise.
The two definite agreements Of
the method OF raising funds and
that this city should establish
q Three-Eye club were reached by
those present last night after var
ious other suggestions had been
made and argued down. Some
thought that soliciting from small
group OF financiers to back the or
ganization would be the best plan.
However, the observation that the
fans association plan, permitting
several hundreds of individuals to
invest q small amount and thus
have equal interest distributed in
larger group had succeeded best
elsewhere, overthrew the previous
move.
The temporary chairman, select
cd to act at last nights session
Thomas p. Sinnett, was empowered
to appoint five delegates, two OF
them to be M. H. Sexton and Wal.
ter Flanagan, to attend the league
meeting in Chicago Monday and
Tuesday. They will represent the
local club, assist in settling the
matters which will be brought uI
at that meeting, and work to secure
franchise for Rock Island
They VIII Work.
In view OF the fact that Al Tear.
ney, president of the Three-Eye ha!
communicated with Walter Flani
gan, speaking in favor OF the pro
ject of Rock Island entering tn
league, it is anticipated that littl
trouble will be experienced in get
ting berth. However, the dele
gates will go up with the intention
Of making hard struggle, compel
ing with probably II to IA othe
pose of obtaining franchises in tn
circuit
n As pointed out in the meeting,
Is now up to the fans of the cit,
Who have continually voiced thei
appreciation Of having baseba
here this spring and summer, t
come forward with their ten buck
and take out a membership. Th
committeeman canvassing TIL
week cannot hope to hit any pei
centage Of the fans before Satul
day. They will confine their e
forts to a certain list of name
whose owners they know are bast
ball hackers. There are infinii
numbers of true sportsmen VIII
won't see these committeeman pei
sonally during this week. Howeve
those may get in from the fir.
gong by stopping in to see Waite
Flanagan at his new office in tn
Best building. where the baseba
baby is being given a start. Ther
they may sign up.
By Friday night. when a secon
meeting Of fans is called for
o'clock in the Harper house. til
$4,000 for the franchise forfeit mu.
he on hand, to insure the chance
for Rock Islands berth in tn
league. Therefore both liber;
stock buying on the part of far
and hard work on the part of vo
urteer solicitors must be accom-
lsshed in the intervening days.
Desire Baseball.
In opening the meeting last nigh
Mr.. Sexton said. "as for the pu,
pose of this session, it seems IL
desire among sportsmen Of this Gil
TO go back into organized baseball
.he agitation was started by loo,
newspaper, The Argus, and sin,
hat time from every side has CON
the question, Are we going to ha,
team and similar queries. s
tar everyone l have spoken to {
The subject, and everyone l ha,
heard speak of baseball. fayol
Rock Islands going into a leagu
III We have ball it must nece
Barily be Three-Eye. There is
fule as old as the organization
minor leagues. stating that the ba
club in any city can supervise Il
territory for FIVE miles in each
u rection from the city limits AZ
prohibit team in another leagl
10 operate. Moline Is in the Thre
Eye and we must be also. for
they wouldn't object some 9th,
club would be almost certain to.
against our entering a club in a,
other circuit.
Being active IN o ball club Is 1
fun. as you others who have b,
that experience can attest. It HI
4 fascination to make up for Il
hard work It entails, however. a,
this makes your entrance upon d
work tust a question Of wheth
enough men are strong enough 4
the sport to give up time and co
v,nience to labor for the clubs 1
tercst."
"A number Of other remarks We
voiced.
Refuses to Act.
Mr.. Sexton suggested tina; pric
pver the old ratas b charged As q
Il miasaou to.samss, Offering . sche
ple q 20, 90 snd u cents for Il
vaslcus segting sD0e1oos. The o