The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-11-05
BASE BALL FOR DOODLE.
THE BROTHERHOOD AIMS IT'S RAP
AT TIE LEAGUE.

Players Declare Themselves Tired of
Being Sold Like Sheep-Their Futile
Efforts to Secure a Hearing From
the League Magnates Recited-Plans
for Next Season.
NEW YORK, Nov 4.-The corridors of the
Fifth Avenue hotel were filed this morning
| with base ball men from all parts of the
country. There was considerable discussion
going on between the members of the
brotherhood, but nothing definite was
stated. A general impression seemed to
prevail, however, that the brotherhood
would assert its Independence. Among
the early arrivals were James O'Rourke
of New York, Ed Hanlon of Pittsburg
Larry Twitchell of Cleveland, Ed Andrews
of Indianapolis, Arthur Irwin of Washing
ton, ID. Brouthers Of Boston, F. Pfeffer of
Chicago, and James Fogarty of Philadel-
phla, delegates to the convention; Manager
McGunnigle Of the Brooklyn nine, Kurn-
ham of Worcester, Whitney Of Buffalo. and
Mike Kelly of Boston. The brotherhood
meeting was called to order at noon.
The session lasted until after Z o'clock.
A STATEMENT DRAWN UP.
The first few hours of the meeting were
taken up by routine business, and when the
delegates assembled after a short recess,
Andrews, O'Rourke, Hsnlon and Ward
were appointed committee to draw up a
statement defining the position of the
brotherhood toward the national league
That it took a long time TO perfect the
document was evident from the fact that
during the afternoon nothing was done
outside of that business. A statement,
which is the first official word from the
brotherhood on its difficulty with the
| league, is as follows:
At last the Brotherhood of Baseball Players
| feels at liberty to make known its intentions
and defend itself against the aspersions and
misrepresentation which for weeks it has been
| forced to suffer in silence. 1t is no longer n
secret that the players Of the league have de-
termined to play next season under different
management, but for reasons which will,
we think, be understood, 1t was
deemed advisable to make no announcement OF
this intention until the close OF the present sea-
| son, but now that the struggles for the various
| penDants are over, and the terms of our con-
| tracts expired, there is no longer reason for
withholding it. In taking this step we feel that
we owe it to the public and to ourselves to
| plain briefly some Of the reasons by which we
have been moved.
BowING TO DOODLE.
There was time when the league stood for
| integrity and fair dealing. To-day il stands
| for dollars and cents. Once 10 looked to the
elevation of the game and an honest exhibition
| of the sport. To-day it's eyes are upon the
| turnstile. They have come into business with
no other motive than to exploit IL for every dol
lar in sight. Measures originally intended for
| the good of the game have been perverted into
| instruments for wrong. The reserve rule and
the provisions OF the national agree,
power, and they have not hesitated
| to use this in most arbitrary and mercenary
| way. Players have been bought and sold and
| exchanged as If they were sheep, instead Of
Il In, hoo ,eitb
| them another name for property right in
| players. by combination among themselves
/ Stronger than the strongest trust, they
| were able to enforce most arbitrary measures
| and the player had either to submit or get out
| of the profession in which he had spent years
| in attaining proficiency Even the disbandment
| and retirement Of club did not free the play
| ers from the octopus clutch, for they were
then peddled around to the highest bidder.
| That players sometimes prohted by their sale
| has nothing to do with the case, but only proves
the injustice of his previous restraint.
LEAGUE DIPLOMACY.
Two years ago we met the league and at
| tempted to remedy some OF these evils, but
| through what has been politely called League
| diplomacy" we completely failed. Unwilling
longer to submit 10 such treatment, we made
strong effort last spring to reach an under
i standing with the league. To our application
| for hearing they replied that the matter was
| not of sufficient Importance to warrant a meet
| ing and suggested that 1t be put Off until fail.
|
| felt that the league had broken faith with
| them; that while the results might be OF little
| Importance to the managers, they were of great
| Importance 10 the players; that IL the league
would not concede what was fair We would
| adopt other means to protect ourselves: that il
| postponed until fall we would be separated
and at the mercy OF the league and
| that as the only course left US, required time
| and labor to develop. We must, therefore, in
| sist upon an immediate conference. Then
| upon their final refusal to meet us we began
| organizing for ourselves, and now are in
shape to go ahead next year under
| new management and new auspices We
| believe that IL IS possible to conduct our
| national game upon lines which will not in
| fringe upon individuals and natural rights.
We ask to be judged solely by our work, and be-
| leving that the game can be played more fairly
and its business conducted more intelligently
under plan which excludes everything arbi-
trary and n-American, we look forward with
confidence to the support of the public and the
future of the national game.
THE NATL BROTHERHOOD OF BALL Players
ANOTHER SESSION TOMORROW.
The adoption of this statement as the senti-
ment of the brotherhood was, President
Ward said, the sole business Of Importance
during the entire session. On Wednesday,
the first meeting Of the Players National
League. as the new organization is
called. will be held at the Fifth
Avenue hotel There the final
disposition Of the clutB and players will be
made. Everything is virtually arranged,
and the only action will be to give the list
official sanction. 1t Is definitely settled that
Brooklyn and Buffalo will take the players
of Indianapolis and Washington, and it is
stated that the players of these clubs will
be distributed between Brooklyn, Buffalo
and Pittsburg. The fact that John M. Ward
will manage the Brooklyn team is also
pretty well assured.