The age-herald., 1897-11-10
BASE BALL.
ANNUAL MEETING
Of National League Magnates Changes in
 the Drafting Rules.

the Drafting Rules.
 Philadelphia, Nov. 9.--The annual meeting of the National Base Ball :ague was opened at the Hotel Walton toaay, but at a much later hour than was ex- pected. Among the notable arrivals this mornlng were Manager Adrian c. Anson of Chicago; Chris Won Dir Ahe, of St. Louis, and George and Barrie Wagner, of Washington.
 Tl1e official Ia.osuamme of the National league gathering moved rather slowly today, but the rumorS of deaAS grew thicker and thicker as th= day and night progressed The board of directors of the league convened shortly after F o'clock and disposed of a few rather un- important appeals from players, who had grievances, the points of the appeals in each instance being summarily d.sal- lowed and dismissed.
 President Young was authorized to establish an office in the business sec tion of Washington for the transaction of the league busin SIS, and the Boston club was officially awarded the cham pionship of 1S97
 The national board of arbitration then got together to dispose of matters un- finished at last nights session. The most important subject before th@ board was the petition of the class A leagues for modification of the drafting clauses or Ifle 1l1ul0nal agreement. The petition as pres nlted met with no opposition in the board, and fit was decb1ed thIat it's provisions should be recommended to the NeitioEal league fer adoption.
 The suggested change in the rules for drafting, which will without doubt be endorsed by the league, provides that no player can be drafted by the National league unless he shall have served at least two years in the Class A league from which the draft is desired to be A Western and Atlantic leagues. No change was asked by the minor leagues in the drafting price, which will, there fore, remain at $500 The change in the drafting rule does not prevent the pur- chase of any minor league player by a National league club through mutual agreement of the clubs interested and transfers from the minor to the major league through purchase or trades can, at any time, be made as heretofore.
 On suggestion of John T. Brush an amendment to the drafting clause was also recommended to the league for ap- proval, which grants permission to the National league clubs to loan player to a minor league club with the under standing that the player can be recalled on thirty days notice.
 The reported purchase of Clements by Boston and Grady by New York was positively denied this evening by the club owners of those cities.
 The Philadelphia club is endeavoring to effect deal with St. Louis by which Monte Cross, Catcher Douglass and Pitcher Donahue can be brought to Phil adelphia. It is said Won Der Ahe has been offered Taylor, Clements, Nash and Lave Cross for the three players named or any three of them for Monte Cross and Douglass.
 The business of the auxiliary bodies. the board of arbitration and tine board of directors. having finally te dls- posed of the National Base Ball league proper was called to cider for it's first session at o'clock tonight with the rep resentativss present from aIl the twelve clubs. Tn keeping with the slow work of the past few days the meeting lasted less than an hour, and mo business what ever was tranacted