The San Francisco call., 1896-11-14
Apparent Change of fractional
Strength Made in the Inter-
ests of Harmony.
WATCHING THE RUsIE SUITS.
It Is Decided to Stop the Objectionable
Souvenir Games of Base.
ball.

CHICAGO, ILL, Nov. 13.-By vote CT
Z to 5, Louisville and Washington voting
with the big Eve minority faction, the
National League of Baseball Clubs at its
concluding session this evening decided to
clip the wings of the National Board of
Arbitration by striking out that part of
section "a of the National agreement
which provided that an amendment could
be made by unanimous consent of the
board. Now the league is the only au-
thority competent to change the National
agreement and the arbitration beard is not
the arbiter of its own jurisdiction. This
apparent change of factional strength
was made by the Brush majority of seven
in the interest of harmony and to show
the minority faction that the magnani-
nous victors did not want to arrogate to
the arbitration board, which they control
the arbitrary powers which the "big five
are credited with scheming for until Louis
vile turned the tables.
1.-THE "big five," being outvoted in the
arbitration board, were willing to settle
now instead of at the spring meeting the
question OF power to touch the National
agreement, SO they voted to strike out.
Both sides professed to be satisfied with
the action taken, and there was more
friendlIcess displayed than at any time
since the league met.
The Rusie suits against the New York
Clubformed subject for much talk at the
meeting. Mr.. freedman said that reso-
luton was adopted by vote of eight to
four-Baltimore, Louisville and Washing
ton voting with the "big five"-pledging
the support OF the league to the New York
Club in the matter, but he would not say
the expenses were to be paid by the league.
Colonel Rogers of Philadelphia said that
Charles M. Shoran, the Chicago clubs
lawyer, had been retained by the New
York club here to defend the Rusie suits
and that the colonel would appear at the
trials to attend to the baseball end. This
action was reported TO the league and Mr..
Freedman made few warm remarks, al
leging that certain members had insti-
gated Ru-ie to bring the suits. Mr.. Wag-
ner of Washington moved to reconsider
the vote taken yesterday in refusing to
reinstate the last section of the National
agreement.
Colonel Rogers of Philadelphia moved
that the National agreement be not
changed except by majority vote of the
league, and this proposition, taken from
the arbitration board dictatorjal power,
was carried by the to 5 vote mentioned.
The treasurer was instructed to pay Henry
month during the remainder of his life, in
recognition for his past services and for
what he may do hereafter for the playing
rules committee.
The chairman was instructed to ap-
point committee of three. OF which Mr..
Young is to be chairman, to devise If pos
sible better means for controlling um-
pires and to make its report a: the spring
meeting. The scheme is to have some
one travel around the circuit at Young s
direction and watch the playing.
The Objectionable souvenir games will
not be allowed any more. Mr.. Robson
spoke of their abuse and they were or
dered discontinued.
Mr.. Hart of Chicago renewed his petit
ton of last year for the abolition of the
Temple cup games, but it was laid on the
table-10 to 2. The league adjourned to
meet in Baltimore the last Thursday In
February.
at the afternoon session the new salary
agreement was presented and adopted.
The remainder of the session wss de.
voted to clearing up odds and ends, and
at $3.50 o'clock the meeting finally ad-
iourned, the magnates leaving for theil
homes this evening.