Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-14
BASEBALL AFFAIRS.
An Interesting Outline of the Situation in
Cleveland-A1 Johnson's Case With the
League Not Settled Yet by Any Means.

League Not Settled Yet by Any Means.
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH,
CLEVELAND. o., Dec. 13-The situation of
baseball affairs in this city is quite generally
misunderstood. While it is true that the Cleve-
land League Club passed resolution declar-
ing that it would give nothing to Mr.. johnson
for his Brotherhood plant, it is also true that
Mr.. Johnson's last proposition to the League is
still before the Conference Committee of that
organization, and has not been passed upon
negatively. That fact should be horne in mind
by those who insist that Mr.. johnson will get
nothing to reimburse him for the amount he
put INTO the Players League in an effort to
place that organization on a permanent basis.
. 1t is stated on good authority that Mr. John
Son will get another offer from the League or
rather that his proposition will be scaled down
somewhat, in view of the different state of af-
lars now existing than when he made that
proposition to the League. When he was Of
fered 81. 900 in New York City it was with the
understanding that all clubs in the Players
League that had not already agreed TO
the disastrous war ended at once and
for good. He refused this offer. Accord
ing to his own statement the cause for so doing
was because the offer was not made to him in
correct legal form. Subsequently he made the
League exactly the same terms they had offered
him, except that the contract was drawn up i'll
full and with dates for payment explicitly
stated No action on that proposition has ever
yet been sakpn.
When the Cleveland League club was asked
as separate organization to state Just what
amount it would pay Mr.. johnson for a settle
ment, it vored empha;ically to give HIM moth
ing. Still, If the National League, as a general
organization, should agree that it was best to
pay Mr. johnson a certain SUN to wind up his
business, 1t is not probable that the Cleveland
League club would refuse to contribute what
ever might be its share.
The nonsense that has been circulated from
Cleveland in regard to Mr.. johnson forming an
independent league has the merit only OF eX-
pressing something that might happen but
never will. Mr.. johnson has remarked in con-
versarinn several times thas if and So were
done, it might make it uncomfortable
for the League. That he contemplates
taking positive action of any such
character is quite another thing. He has been
compelled to father great many absurd state
rather in joking mood. That he feels indig-
nant or even angry toward the League there is
little question. but the general opinion is that
he has jumped at conclusions somewhat too
hastily
The Beague club is putting in what work it
can on Its new grounds, which will make one of
the cosiest little parks in the country A new
cable line and electric line run right by the
gates and the transportation facilities have
never heen better IN the history of the game
1t may be possible that the directors will yet
make up their minds to retain Tebeau on next
years team and plav him at second. and with
Virtue. Tebeau, Mexican and Alvord on the in
helG the local club ought to make a fairly good
showing. Seward, Radford, Delehanty. Strck-
er, hnauss Twitchcll, Bakely. Mexican. Zim-
mer and Alvord are winIering here. That is
more professional players than have passed
the cold months in this city in long time.