Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-26
IT LOOKS STORMY.
The Local Ball Club Threatens to
Fight the New League.
Dir. TEMPLES IMPORTANT TALK.
The East End Gyms Cause Surprise in the
Local Bowling Tournament.
GENERAL SPORTING NEWS OF THE DAY

/
the new League and it is unfortunate that
circumstances cause the Pittsburg club to
be or at least threaten to be the aggressive
party. The definite cause of the threatened
trouble is the Lyons case and two kilograms
yesterday, one from Lyons and the other
from President Temple, put the matter in
very grave shape as far as the harmony
and confidence of the clubs of the new
League is concerned. In word the direc-
tors, at least the majority of them, met
| yesterday and very emphatically decided
that if Lyons is not conceded to the Pitts
burg club the entire case snail be relegated
to the courts.
The telegram that brought about the de-
cisive step was from Lyons, who is at Gin
cinnati. 1t was to President Temple, and
read as follows:
"Have received letter from Nick Young
! requesting me to sign with New York.
Powers is here. What shall 1 do?'
President Temple, after consulting with
his colleagues, replied as follows: 'tDon't
sign with New York. You have signed
with us, and we will retain you and 90 to
court on the matter if necessary. Your
salary will be paid by the Pittsburg club,
season.
The Situation Very Grave.
President Temple also received a letter
from President Young pointing out that
mail vote" on the question would just de-
mand as much time as vote by the League
peeting OF course the request for mail
vote was very foolish one to start with,
but now the whole question has assumed
phase of the utmost gravity. The telegram
sent Lyons yesterday by President Temple
In behalf of the local club means one of two
things, viz: Lyons will play in Pittsburg
next season OF the Pittsburg club will insti-
tute legal proceedings against the authority
that prevents his playing here While this
paper has conceded the fact that Lyons, as
far as known evidence is concerned, belongs
to Plttsbnrg, it is quite another matter to
try and enforce his presence here by law if
the majority of the new League clubs are
determined that he shall play elsewhere.
The truth is, President Young has requested |
Lyons to sign a contract to play for the |
New York club, thus the authority of the
League and the Pittsburg club come directly |
in contact with eaah other
The writer questioned President Temple |
very closely on the matter Yesterday and |
said: "Now admitting that by all fair rul- |
lngs and interpretations of baseball law |
Lyons should be in Pittsburg and the |
League orders him elsewhere, will it be ex- |
pedient to fight the matter in court?'
Mr.. Temple replied
''That just submits correct and the proper
proposition to us. There are two leading
features, viz: one of principle and the other
of e1pediency. We are ali convinced that
we are right on the former and we have dis
cussed very, very thoughtfully the latter
We have come to the conclusion that il is
just as expedient to fight for just principle
now as in future. If we are now being un-
fairly dealt with there is no reason to show
that the unfairness won't continue if we do
not resolve to stop it. A policy of this kind
is plain and fair enough.
They Mean to Fight.
"But let me be understood correctly. We
don't mean to make any threat in advance.
All that our telegram to Lyons saws in this
respect is that if necessary we will go to
law; to the courts. don't think it will be
necessary, because the League will see the
Justice of our demands when the case is
argued. President Young evidently has not
learned all the facts of the case and this
prompts us to think that his opinion will
change when he knows all.
"But / want it distinctly understood that
in this instance we mean to fight for Drin-
ciple, even though the club costs me and one
or two others $4,000 year apiece. Il we
win on rinciple in Il court then no CITY can
say We have a C ed in the wrong. The Pitts
burg club defeated the 4 Association on the
Barkley case, and thiS'case is clearer and |
more simple. To say the least OF it the new
League is now in the hands of Association
spirits, and while we think there is desire
to treat us fairly we mean to see that no
fact is misconstrued no rule distorted so |
as to deal unjustly with us. In a word the |
ball club is not in the new League |
as a shuttlecock, but as an intelligent I
factor'' ,
The above statements, official from the
local club and heartily endorsed by Vice.
President Kerr and Secretary Scandrett are
very important. They contain much truth
and it is II pity that some worthier object |
Than Lyons was at stake. Still if there is an !
element of unfairness prevailing it is just as
we'll to fight now as later on. 1t is never
wise to grasp nettle tender handed. If the
club has made a resolve to stick up for a
principle let the contest be no
weak efforts on its part. But let the
officials be satisfied that their
quarrel is just and equipped with that ,
they will be doubly armed
On the other hand neither President
foung or any other League magnate can ]
Iford to allow this case to go to wrong
ssue. They must beware, because if events :
)rove they have been in the wrong all in .
urious consequences will be OF their Great ]
ng.
Sullivan's Latest.