Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-03
A AREVIEW OF SPORTS.
Important QuestiOnsthat Con-
Germ the National League.
BROTHERHOOD CONTRACTS.
A Western Correspondent on the Nc
Auliffe-Myer Affair.
GOSSIP ABOUT THE PUGILISTS.
Jimmy 6alvin's Advice to Ball Players
About Training.
OSSIP ABOUT THE PUGILISTS.
GENERAL SPORTING KEWSOF THE DAY

UGNGhAU SfVhIlN0 NEhD Ut 11G UA1
As r1le when an unusual number of
great minds meet something significant is
the result 1t would seem that such will be
the case among the League baseball mag
mates next week. 1t is hard to believe that
all presidents, managers and secretaries of
League clubs are going to Washington on
mere trip of pleasure. Of course the in
auguration of the country's President is to
take place, but it is singular that all the
baseball officials named should be stimuli
taneously making sacrifices to wit
ness it. Heretofore there has not
been such an unanimous opinion among
The baseball magnates regarding visit to
Washington, no matter what has been going
on. At any rate, it is reasonable to say that
pnething more that the schedule will be
dealt with at the league meeting. Should it
transpire than nothing outside the schedule
will be dealt with, it will be very great sur
prise to many people, and twill not be because
there are not other things of the most pressing
and of the gravest importance to deal with.
Indeed, it is some time since the authorities
and the manipulators of tie destinies of the
league had such vital questions to deal with as
they have now. If they are not dealt with at
present they will only develop into g more
aggravated form, and, in the meantime, give
rise to a troublesome amount of dissatisfaction
and unpleasantness.
Very Important Question.
Anybody in the least versed in base ball af-
fairs need not be told that whatever question
refers to the fixing of players salaries is of the
greatest importance. Macauley's proverbial
crhoolbcv xrould l-novp aIf al,o +l,a4 Rn+f he
salary question is now facing the League in a
way that has not been known before, and
whether the League deals with it on Tuesday
or NOS the fact of the existence and signif-
canoe of the question will not be altered one
9Or. The new feature of the salary difficulty is
the existence of an agreement between players
anS officials to the effect that no player shall
beUserved by League club for the next
season" for a salary less than that
which the club paid him during the season i'm
nediately previous This is very definite and
clear declaration. So clear is it that at first
sight it would appear impossible for any club
to avoid its requirements. We all know, of
course, that Denny, GlasseoAk Jim Whitney
and Sowders have been asked to play for less
next season than they received last year.
Naturally, and apparently. logically enough,
they claim the efforts to reduce their salaries
are directly contraryto the spirit andle of the
Brotherhood contract Just quoted from above.
As a result it has been positively stated that
Attorney Blackhurst, in behalf of the Players
Brotherhood, will go into court with the case
in question against the League.
$50
The Magrates' PIsa.
This, then, is a question Of sufficient import
ance 20 demand the most careful attention on
the part of the magnates- The latter, however,
have very specIOus argument or excuse in
their favor. They claim that every dollar
above 1000 paid TO player last year was not
considerations connected with the player or
players. 1t would be presumptuous at the pres
ent moment to say by what name court would
eau the extra amount. The matter will, doubt,
lessly, be tested or we'll have no brotherhood
shortly. 1 venture to say, however, that no
court Will decide that the money received by
each player in addition to the limit of 81 900
was gift 1t muslin some shape or form have
been compensation for services rendered. l
presume that almost the entire case of the
league will rest on this claim, that is,
she claim that not more than 5000 was paid to
my player last year in the name of salary.
However, If this is 50 it may be that another
iiffculty will eventually crop uD. 1t is reason
able 70 expect that according to the classifica-
ion plan some players will be reduced in salary
Il some time or other. This will certainly be
n opposition to the provisions of the brother
lOod contract From whatever standpoint we
ook at the question it would seem that the
brotherhood contract has developed into a
much greater stumbling block for the League
naglates than they at first expected. None of
Is can well shut our eyes to the fact that no
natter how or in what name extra money was
'aid players last year it was tacitly understood
o be salary The League authorities may have
overlooked this fact when they agreed to the
motherhood contract.
May All Want a Change.
Regarding my opinions of the classification
icheme have nothing to change or alter from
What I expressed when the plan was first
rdopted. At that time expressed my doubts
bout its practicability. These doubts were
ssailed by many very able writer's, but l
'enture to say that there are more 'doubters"
o-day than ever. Every day seems to add
reater proof that any method of classification
which relegates the comprehensive duties and
'ower of classifying to one man, and also
ountenances TO some extent a system of
spionage. cannot be expected TO be a
uccess. The first principles of the system are
Tot sound and as result the superstructure
aanot be safe. We have all been recently in
ormed that Messrs- Ward, Spalding, William
on and others of the Australian party are
ven more than doubtful about this classifica-
ton plan. Altogether there is good reason to
ay that the magnates have plenty of import
Mt matters to deal with on Tuesday If they
hoose to tackle them.
About the PugiIists.
Readers of these reviews will not be sur
rised to learn that Jake Kilrain intends to be
Eng and early this month. It is not difficult
operceive the reason for his going there
,vifish pounds and shilllngs. OF course he
ught not to be harshly dealt with on this &C
cunt There is, however, one or two im-
ortant features connected with Kilrain's going
way. In the first place 1t means what have
Il along been contending, viz: that boxing is
king a terrific header throughout the
inited States, and its prospects for some time
,cOme are very dismal. It also means that
here is an apparent boom in sparring in En-
land On this point, however, / have
~ doubts There is at present and has been
3r some time very strong feeling in Eng
md against public boxing exhibitions. If Kill
n, Smith, Mitchell and other prominent
uhts we're to indulge in series of pdblic con-
ssts, that is contests ''for blood" they would
speedily vetoed The facts of the case,
owever, seem to be that Mitchell has secured
series of Music Hall engagements for him
~ and Kilrain. 1t may be also stated that ar
tngements for boxing contest have been
lade between Smith and Kilrain, at any rate
Is easy for the trio to do a very profitable
usiness before next spring comes and goes.
ont think for moment thar Kilrain is going
England thinking that he has an easy task
ihand TO defeat Sullivan should they fight.
is more reasonable to think that KilTain
ot opinion that there will be no
tttle at all between them. I am
this opinion. We may expect 20 hear of
pod contest between Joe lannon and Jack
shtcn on the 18th inst, at Providence. They
I'VE 70 box Is rounds. Ashton ought to be
be former is Lannon's superior as boxer,
hi "a very powerful young fellow. There is
sether contest ahead, however. concerning
hich there will be much conjecture. refer
proposed fight between Ike Wier and
rank Murphy. Providing these little fellows
IN good condition, and both determined for
cso-y, the contest viii be one of the best seen
q long time.