The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1891-02-19
ANOTHER BASEBALL WAR
THE ASSOCIATION wITHDRAws FROM
THE NATIONAL AGREEMENT.

III" 'a"scs when ne" 10 .hc n'eak
How IL VIII Affect the Game During
the Coming scasou--w Washington Club
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amost disastrous season, both pecuniarliy
and as respects the prestige OF the game,
and with every prospect in the future for
the restoration Of the national pome IN ;ts
-. ,,.'-,. ..,.'.-.,.. r.
ioriicr h'sh Piniiacic US 'i,c one us
tinotively American sport there came
across the baseball horizon cloud that
enthusiasts were pleased to call u mere
"u;nd cloud u In other vorda tho
w.. -,
American Association declared emphW'
ically that IL as n member OF the ma
tional agreement, and us loyal party to
that combination, should have all its
rights respected and be entitled to the
same privileges, in so far rs the reserya-
ton Of the players IL lost when the
Players League sprang into existence and
took its stars, was concerned as well as the
League. That II was guaranteed this
every one familiar with the history of
the game for the past three months
knows.
While the League was sadly crippled by
the Brotherhood detection, yet II was the
Association that suffered the most, for the
rebellious players only secured the stars
of the second party to the agreement
They took the cream Of the baseball
talent of that organization.
Well, the fight ended, and victory
perched on the banners Of the national
agreement clubs. Then was the time for
the League to keep the promises so effu-
sively and profusely made during the
time 1t and its colleagues were struggling
for existence.
Whether II did or not is mooted ques-
ton. Under all laws governing the
national agreement, it did, but always
endeavoring TO find some loophole through
which 1t could avail itself of a technically
to its own advantage, 1t resolved to secure
the prize players Of the Athletic club.
Stovey and Bierbauer were selected, and,
as they had not been reserved nor could
they be, by the Athletic club, which had
disbanded, the work was easy.
The two players named were awarded
by the board of control formerly the
board of arbitration) to the League, and
the newly-elccted president of the Asso-
| citation, Mr.. A. w. Thurman, voted to
| deprive the younger Association of two of
its star players.
Thereupon, the war was commenced.
| Mutterings were heard from the Associa-
ton leaders, in which Thurman was de-
nounced as a traitor, and for the first time
in many years was there any danger that
the compact made between the leading
| baseball organizations of the country was
in danger OF being broken.
The League, victorious in its fight over
| the Brotherhood, pooh-poohed at the
| threats of its ally and affected to believe
there was nothing in them. As has been
the case several times, the League made O
mistake, for the Association yesterday re
pudiated the national agreement, with
drew from it, and has inaugnratcd one Of
the worst wars the game has hitherto
been subjected to.
Mr.. Thurman was deposed from tho
presidency and Louis Kramer of Cincin