Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-07
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CLEVELAND, O., December 6.-When
President johnson, of the Players League,
was seen by your correspondent tonight, he
was just in the act of writing a message to
Mike Kelly, reading:
''Sign CIarkson by all means" "You can
say" said Mr.. johnson, ''that Clarkson
will pitch for the Brotherhood. He is with
us, heart and soul. He told me so at Bos-
ton, and he supplemented this avowal of
good faith while at Cleveland. We would
not let him get away from US for any money.
His present offer is his last seasons salary
and his division of receipts. If this is not
enough we will give him more"
''How about Wilmot?"
well" said Mr.. johnson, ''the Brotherhood
people do not believe the story of his desertion.
wILMoT's STATEMENT.
He was present at the Brotherhood meeting
in New York. He stood up and said that, al
though he had been reserved by the Washing
ton Club he was with the Brotherhood, but,
said he: L have an offer to act as captain and
manager of the st. Paul team, of next year, at
a good salary. 1 may decide to accept the
offer The Brotherhood said to him frankly:
If you can better your position in this way, all
right II, however, the League reserves You
come to u.s. In the presence of hundreds Of
witnesses Wilmot made that solemn promise.
Under the circumstances, 1 cannot believe that
he has gone over to the League, outright. As
an instance of the Leagues efforts to retain its
old players let me cite you this fact: You know
Ed Hanlon TO be an active Brotherhood man.
HANLoN's GREAT INDUCEMENTS.
Now. L know to a certainty that he was
offered the most extraordinary inducements
ever held out to ball player. he was offered
a certain salary as manager, another salary as
captain and another salary as player with the
Pittsburg club. He declined the offers and
said he was with the Brotherhood to stay. l
consider that a most remarkable illustration of
fidelity to principle. Why, our Players League
place by the League We secured the abolish
ment of the classification rule and the mod1h-
cation Of the sales system. A player that has
promised us his support IN advance is simply
incapable of gratitude to 60 back on us after
this achia 'anent"
While your correspondent talked, Mr.. John
son was bein deluged with kilograms many OF
them vtlative to 10 or II club Players
Leag Gag :: - o+,on - said Mr. Johnson ,ps that
the Brotherhood will decide at its meeting in
New York on December 16 to place clubs only
in these cities: New York, Boston, Phlladel-
rhia. Chicago Brooklyn, Pittsburg Cleveland
and Buffalo.
AGAINST CONSOLIDATION.
at is possible that shall be outrated and
that clubs will also be placed in Cincinnati, St
Louis Washington and Indianapolis; but 1
doubt it. 1 know that the players generally
favor eight clubs in the League. We can make
eight strong clubs, and eight clubs that will
draw If we try to increase the number
to ten or twelve we shall only sue
coed in getting on our list two |
expenses. 1 shall make an earnest fight at the |
meeting in New York against any new vent |
pgSs SS Afe 0h Dcked n og in eat
cities and clubs picked out that cannot fail to |
draw crowds. To-day have signed Jersey" |
Bakely for our local club, who, with O'Brien |
and Gruber and one more frst-class man, will |
make Cleveland a great club"
How about the legal situation7'
well. sir, we are only waiting for the League |
people to show their hands,"
READY TO RETALIATE.
1--WE can show how almost every clause of |
the League constitution, regarding contracts
with players has been grossly violated. When
these cases have been settled we shall proceed |
against the traitors, although we do not want
them in the Players League. We shall assume
the defensive and shall let the League make
the first advance"
what is the outlook in a general way for the
Better than ever before by long odds. I
admit, frankly, that there was time, not many
days ago, when we lost heart. Desertion
seemed 70 1OlOW O6SeTIlOD, anu was CONSIDER
ably discouraged. Then Hanlon. Kelly, Ward,
than whom there is no fairer, squarer
man in the business, began shower
ing me with kilograms. We all
started to work, and. as a result in ten days
had signed so of so of the best ball players be-
meath the sun. To-day the Ball Players League
is as much of an assured success as If the season
was begun and the interest at its height.
Don't let the people worry about sufficient
financial backing It is already guaranteed
and eveEY player will get his salary"
PresIdSnt Robson, of the local League club |
is quite sure that two, and possibly four new |
clubs will be taken into the League circuit next
season. If only two are admitted they will be
Cincinnati and Brooklyn. Ii the other two are
asked within the fold they will be Buffalo and
St Louis.