The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-14
THE RESERVATION soUABBLE.
Pacific Northwest League Clubs VIII
BE Losers in Consequences.

Pacific Northwest League Clubs VIII
BE Losers in Consequence.
Tho Pacific Northwest League is only
deferring the commencement of its suit
for damages against the National League
until an expression of opinion can be had
from all the clubs. Seattle, of course, ap-
proves of litigation, while President "a
briskie, of the Tacoma club, is in favor of
pushing the case vigorously and giving it
the utmost publicity. Portland and Spo-
! kane will undoubtedly agree, as both will
suffer from the wiping out of reservation
rights. Suit will probably be brought in
the United States court in this city TO re-
cover $500, the amount paid for protection
This sum was sent to the national board of
control, which at the time consisted of
representatives from the National League
and the Western Association. the Ameri-
can Association, one of the original part
les to the agreement, having Withdrawn.
When later the Western Association col
lapsed, the National League assumed all
the obligations imposed by the agreement,
and carried them up to the time of the
famous Indianapolis meeting. Then
peace was made with the American Asso-
citation. and the two big bodies consoli-
dated. There was formed, it is claimed
an entirely new organization, but it GER
talnly assumed the liabilities of the old
League. Even if an action would not lie
against the League it would against the
individual clubs of the old one, and the
Pacific Northwest League proposes to
force settlement in the courts if such a
thing is possible.
The announcement by the League off,
10 fn ha 81.
reserve list means lively times among the
minor leagues in the scramble for players.
Tacoma has already felt the full force of
the decision in losing both Tanning and
France, the two men on whom the club
relied for its pitching this season. France
has signed with the Western Association
and Tanning with San Francisco. The
Tacoma officials are in consequence fight
ing mad and are making a determined
effort to get hold of "Peachblow" Hoff-
man, who was booked for San Francisco.
The Portland club is also heavy loser,
because king" Motz, its crack first base
man, has signed Western League con-
tract and "Jiggs" Parrot threatens to fol-
low suit. Newman is lost to Seattle in
like manner, and there is possibility of
Turner add Polhemus leaving by the same
path.
One case of peculiar interest that the
reservation squabble with cause is that of
Jake Stencil, who is claimed by both Port
land and Spokane-clubs of the same
League. If the Pacific Northwest League
is guided by its stand in the proposed suit
against the National League, it ought to
award the player to Spokane, should it ap-
pear that he is still on the reserve list of
that club. John S. Barnes claims, how
ever, that when with Spokane he had full
power to sign and release all players. and
that he released Stencil, Baldwin. Turner
and Polhemus, and then was free to sign
them for Portland. Jud cling from dis
patches, Spokane evidently expects to
keep Poihemus, and there may be dis
pute over him similar to that in Stencils
case.