The sun., 1897-03-20

Robson says tho MaEnAtes do Not Want to
Have the Reserve Ruie Tested.

Robson Says the MaEnates do Not want TO
Have the Reserve Ruie Tested.
According to present indications, the trouble
between tho New York Baseball Club and Pitcher
Amos Rusie will be patched up by the interven-
tion of several League clubs, and the big fellow
will sign q contract in time to pitch in one Of the
games to be played in Philadelphia by the New
Yorks the latter part of next month. Although
no definite move has been made, the plan Of ac-
ton is to have all Of the League clubs outside of
New York chip in certain amount, which will
pay the salary due to Rusic for last year, and
thus make 1t possible for him TO come down from
his lofty position.
This idea was conceived originally by J. Earl
Wagner of tho Washington Club and Frank De
Hass Robson of the Cleveland Club during the
recent League meeting. and at IA conference held
q few days later In Washington. at which
Byrne Abel, Wagner, Won der Horst, Robson,
Soden, and others were said TO be present the
magnates came to the conclusion that some such
action should be taken rather than have the va
lidity of the reserve rule tested IN court when
Sun reporter, and said:
"The New York Club was undoubtedly right
when 1t disciplined Rusie. and any other club
would have acted similarly under the existing
circumstances But we League men do not want
and are also desirous Of helping the New York
Club In It's dilemma. We do not care either, to
have the reserve rule put to the test In court.
and believe that some compromise should DO
srrived at. At the recent League meeting Wag-
ner and protested against allowing Rusie's
suit for release from reservation to go to trial,
but as the New York Clubs representatives de-
cRred that they would fight the case to tho
bitter end We sustained them by unanimous
vote.
"Shortly after that Wagner and conceived
the idea of compromising matters with Rusie
himself and as u result number of magnates
held q consultation in Washington. It was sug-
gested at that time that RuSie's back salary
might be made up by the various clubs outside
to the players feelings and make 1t an easy mat
ter for him to sign a New York contract some of
tho men present objected to this plan but they
agreed ON tho point that something should be
done to prevent the reserve rule from being put
on the rack. As the matter stands now, 1t looks
ss though some agreement might be reached be-
tween some OF the League clubs and the player.
providing one OF the clubs will make the first
move, As John t. Brush ID heavy stockholder
In the New York club, 1t appears TO many that
he Is the man TO take the initiative.
Possibly we have no right to interfere with
the affairs of the New York club In this matter,
for the club Is undoubtedly right In the stand
originally taken against Rusie. But for the
good of the game and the protection of the
fundamental rule which governs professional
baseball we feel that something should be
done. II Rusle remains idle another sea-
son he will lose whatever effective pitch
ing strength he may have left, which
would be blow to the New York club, without
q doubt. President freedman cannot very weil