New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-19
ruE LEAGUE TAKES ACTION
vprr.s BUCKENBERGER, BARNIE AND
PREFER.
,csn WITH COOPERATING IN THE FoRMA-
or -1I,Bs TO CONFLICT WITH
THE NATIONAL AGREEMENT
GOVERNING BASEBALL


ovners of the National Baseball League
lhe ,oet come out fat-footed regarding what
have al 10 70, 90 do about the alleged American AS
they IN A. first IL thought that the League
sociau, no attention TO the promoters of the
wouu ~ hut at the recent convention some
new So .erc made that impelled the League to
disco.,,batic action When the minor leagues
take er,octjon from the National Board against
aske' crowd the club owners were positive that
:. vas time to act
Inc =, = H. Byrne, John T. Brush. James \.
poS'u ~ p Won der Horst and y. T.. Young TO
lar" report and to present II TO the League
ioFnO. ,r This report is an exhaustive one and ii
for a. the points at issue nicely from the year
coNe''A baseball was formally established. up
- the present date
TO ,ne wort shows that it has been the object OF
inv ,,terested in baseball TO perpetuate the
'"o . as the National game of the United States
spI 80 surround it with such safeguards as TO
AZ" ,, in the future absolute public confidence
" ,,s integrity and methods TO protect and pro-
-. che mutual interests of professional baseball
' .Ss and professional baseball players.
" - shows that when the National League was
oa in 1876 the interest In baseball was at
w. ebb simply because the gamblers were in pos
.,on The game without discipline orGani-
,,or or legitimate control The sport was con-
80 with dishonest methods and for dishonest
,,ooses and had neither the respect nor confidence
~ The press public. Heroic methods were abso-
,,,e,v necessary. At a meeting held III Cleveland
= is-7 the League unanimously ratified the action
- tho Louisville club in eXpelling J. a. Devlin, w.
:, crayer. A. H. Nichols and G. W. Hall for con-
-. &, contravention of the object OF the League.
These men had been charged with and convicted
- vilfuly selling game of baseball. At hrst the
sc,,on of the League in taking such an extreme
course was strongly denounced The League, how
over foresaw that any conformation OF fraud or
condolences meant death TO the National game and
,smaned firm in its position. Public opinion soon
,rrned and to-day il is universally conceded that
the course then taken did more TO establish the
bonestv and integrity of baseball than any action
,aken or legislation since enacted. The report goes
Of:
That the League was earnest in IT'S EFFORTS , TO
nurify the game was further demonstrated by us
action taken a a special meeting held at the nus
sell House. Detroit. Mich. on June a. u.s. wnen
charges preferred by TIE Detroit club. expelled for
crooked work an umplse. From that DAY TO
,bie no such chargn has ever been MADE against
an official umpire. The rapid increase in the com
pensation of bail-players soon opened up anOe ac
and received prompt attention. rms was nasrdni am
and open destination in the ranks al nome ana 10
few men. the innocent suffered largely from i IT,
and the National League was brought mo ps, sra
seveiai psSers safe fo saw that today there
Is less dissipation and drunkenness in the ranks OF
professional ball-players in proportion TO thelr
srmber than in any other organized or unorgahized
body in this country Identified with OUTDOOR Sports
The formation OF the National Agreement Is then
explained and as every follower Of the game
knows, without such an agreement baseball could
not hope 10 prosper II is the cornerstone OF the
whole structure The League also silences criticism
In certain quarters when it says:
l. is true nevertheless, and We so declare. that
re will gladly welcome and shall encourage the
formation of leagues and associations VINO desire 10
nnorate under the National Agreement ana consent
10 abide by the fundamental principles Oh thdt oOc-
Iment.
The report shows that to-day the future OF oase-
hall Is confronted by a new conditional condition
more harmful and dangerous than open dishonesty
md dIsslpaton. 1t refers to treacheTy within the
ines The report shows that the interests OF ciuos
and players are IDENTICAL that one cannot succeed
without the other, and that success means mutual
benefit.
The report concludes as follows:
II is a matter of public rumor and IS also iact
which has come to our knowledge that men ldehti-
have been cooperating in the formation OF cluns
or organizations whose purpose is to cohnIct VIII
The National Agreement. In view or TINS khO"l-
edge me National League and American AssoSla-
ion OF professional Clubs. in convention assemDeu
respectfully suggests 10 and requests the -<auVJhdi
Board - declare A. G. BuckenbeTger. iAian
parria and Frederick Pfeffer ineligible 20 be en-
raciiv whatever by any club or organzat!on opei-
a,ing under the National Agreement, ana theN De
FORTHWITH suspended. Such suspension TO remain
IN force until such time as they or either VI "o'''