Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE D1sPATcH.I

means TO appeal to the law at once.
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPArcH.I
PHILADELPHIA, December John
Montgomery Ward and President johnson.
of the Cleveland Brotherhood, were in town
to-day and created quite a stir in the local
Brotherhood ranks. The main object of
their visit was to determine the local
Brotherhood's attitude toward the proposed
bonus fund of the new League to cover sal
aries of players in case any club fails, but
before their departure this evening the ques-
tion of the amalgamation of the Association
and the Players League had occupied the
major part of their attention. Shortly after
] O'Clock this afternoon John Ward and
President johnson, accompanied by President
Love, Henry Taggett, Lawyer Vanderslice,
Robert Evans, George Wagner and Benjamin
Hill entered private parlor of the Girard
Hotel and after locking the doors held
4 lengthy secret meeting.
WHAT WARD SAID.
President Ward stated to the meeting that he
had come to ascertain the local management's
attitude toward raising the bonus fund, al
ready agreed upon, to $4,000 or $1,000 assess
ment to each club. Mr.. Ward explained that
this was deemed advisable in order to give the
players every assurance that there will be no
trouble in getting whatever money is due them
should any club fail. He said he did not ex-
pect anything of the kind to occur, but this
should be done to meet the attacks of the
League and effectualiy prevent the detection
of players. The local management agreed and
gave bonds for the payment of their assessment.
After transactlug some matters of lesser i'm
portance the question of the amalgamation of
the Association and the Players League came
up and engrossed their attention for over an
hour.
WERE SOMEWHAT WARM.
They refused TO state at the conclusion Of the
meeting whether any definite action had been
taken in regard to the amalgamation, but of
this there is but little doubt President Ward
stated IN the meeting that Foreman and Tucker
had signed with the brotherhood. 1t was ar
ranged that the former player should be with
the local club, while the latter should go to
Brooklyn next season.
"Re have talked over the matter of con-
solidation," said President Ward at the con-
clusion of the meeting, ''and / do not see how
such action would hurt the Players League.
Still, we are strong enough by ourselves to
fight the League, and there isn't really any
necessity for consolidation With the defec-
ton of Baltimore the Association is in very
bad way. 1t only leaves them four clubs, and
a consolidation of the Players League with
them would be of immense value to them"
JOHN WOULDN'T ANSWER.
In answer to the question as 10 how the differ
ent club managements of the new league are
disposed toward it, Mr.. Ward said: 81 do not
care to answer that question. You see the
meeting of the League will not take place be-
fore the 10th of this month and some may
change their minds during that period"
In further talk upon the subject President
Ward left decided impression of a considera-
tion. He laughed at the objection to the new
League that they were signing too many play
ers, and said they would take all they could
get and have use for them. From this it may
be inferred that all extra players would be
used in the consolidation action.
what do you think of the New York man
agement prosecuting their playerS?"
'It's all bOsh, /" he said. They cannot keep
the men from playing ball, nor can they re-
serve them as they claim. l understand that
they are to prove cute this week If they are
going TO do it, 1 want them to do it right off.
We are ready any time"
NOT AFRAID OF LAW.
But" he added, with a sly wink and broad
smile, ''they will not do it They know the
courts will not sustain the action. There is
also prevailing sentiment that legal action
will be taken by the various League club man.
agement against their players, but there should
be no fear in this direction. The players
League has now settled itself on a firm basis
and the players who are signing with it are not
blowing b blbbles. 1t has certainty of success
Notwithstanding the opinions OF those opposed
TO the w formation"
President Ward said that he had received no
Information concerning the alleged detection
of the famous At Louis Browns to the Brother
hood. he stated that two or three members
had just signed, and fully expected that the rest
would do likewise in the next ten DAYS. 'TThe
Leagsc sill also find, said Mr.. Ward, when |
the season opens that her star players will be
gone. and saeir clubs made up largely of new
material We are constantly signing their
players an we have no instances of any de-
fections as reported"
Mr.. JOHNSON SPEAKS.
John Ward returned to New York this even
fng. while Presid mt johnson took a through
Western train for Cleveland. Previous to his
departure President johnson stated that the |
Cleveland Brotherhood was established on a |
firm basis and had strong support from the |
baseball public.
President Love. of the local Brotherhood. |
stated that they would not pay $4,000 for |
much better groL'id could be got for less |
money. He said that re had his eye on a piece |
of ground and the pure lase of it may be made |
before the end of the week
President Pennypacker, for the first time |
came out for the consolidation of the Associa- /
ti0n with the Players League this evening /
"Yes," said Mr.. Pennypacker Il favor the con- |
solldation scheme 1t would not only strengthen \
Us, but would give stability to the newly formed |
League Together the fight against the League |
would be successful one without any doubt /
whatever. The detection of Baltimore has no /
doubt left us very weak in PLAYERS. and the /
consolidation is desired by all the Association |
people"
President Pennypacker did not deny the fact |
that the Association had already been ap- /
preached on the subject by the new League |
and that the subject was now being seriously |
considered. From this it is evident that the I
consolidation of the American Association and |
the Players League is only question of few |
days.