The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-10
MAGNATES OF BALL MEET.
PHILADELPHIA HOT AFTER A FOR
MER SAVANNAH PLAYER.

sAN Nv La E4tNs
ShOrtstOp Monte Cross One of the
Men the Quakers Are Making Eff
forts to secure From st. Louis-An
Important Modification Made In
the Drafting Clause of the Class 4
Leagues.
Philadelphia, Pa. Nov. 9,-The annual
meeting of the national base ball league
was opened at the Hotel Walton to-day.
but at a much later hour than was ex-
pected. Among the notable arrivals this
morning were Manager, Adrian c. Arson
of Chicago. Chris Won der Abe of St.
Louis and George and Earl Wagner of
Washington.
The official programme of The national
league gathering moved rather slowly to-
day, but the rumors of deals grew thicker
and thicker as the day and night pro-
crossed.
The board of directors of the league con-
vened shortly after y o'clock, and dis
posed of a few rather unimportant APP
peals from players, who had grievances,
the points of appeal in each instance be-
ing summarily disanowed and dismissed.
President Young was authorized to es-
tablish an Office In the business section
of Washington for the transaction of
league business, and the Boston club was
officially awarded the championship of
1897.
The national board of arbitration then
got together to dispose of matters unfin-
lshed at last nights session. The most
important subject before the board was the
petition of the class A leagues for a mod
ification of the drafting clauses of the ma
tional agreement. The petition as pre-
sented met with no opposition in the board
and ii was decided that its provisions
should be recommended to the national
league for adoption. The suggested change
In the rules for drafting, which will with
out doubt be Endorsed by the league pro-
vides that no player can be drafted by the
national league unless he shall have serV-
ed al least two years in the class A league,
from which the draft is desired to be made.
Glass consists of the eastern, the west
ern and the Atlantic leagues No change
was asked by the minor leagues in the
drafting price, which will therefore re-
main at $500 The change In the drafting
rule does not prevent the purchase 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, though pur-
chase or trades can al 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 approval which grants permits
sion to the national league clubs to loan
a player to a minor league club with the
understanding that the player can be re-
called on thirty days notice.
Among the affairs Of Jess general inter
est disposed of by the board, were the fol-
lowing: The claim of the Philadelphia
club to Players McVey and Fox, through
agreement with the Athletics of the At
lantic league for their purchase, was con
tirmed, but the petition Of the two play
ers for unpaid salary was referred to the
Atlantic league, for which payment un-
der the national agreement that league
was responsible.
The appeal of w. II. Gallagher for I'M
paid salary from the Reading club was
dismissed and Gallagher was granted a
release from reservation by the Richmond
club. Gallagher, for some breach of dis
c.pline, was fined by the Reading club
the amount of salary due him. He then
refused TO play with the Reading ciuD,
and was released to Richmond. Gallagher
did not play with Richmond, but was
placed on the latter's reserved list. The
board recommended that the players fine
was justihable, but gave him his freedom
to contract hereafter with whom he may.
The Philadelphia club is endeavoring TO
effect a deal with St. Louis, by which
Monte Cross, Catcher Douglass and Pitch
err Donohue can be brought to Phiadel-
phia. 1t is said Won der Abe has been
offered Taylor Clements. Nash and Lave
Cross for the three players named, or any
three of them for Monte Cross and Doug
lass.
The business of the auxiliary bodies, the
board of arbitration and the board of di-
rectors, having finally been disposed of the
National Base Ball League proper was
called to order for its first session at
O'Clock tonight with all the representa-
tiyes present. In keeping with the slow
work of the past few years, the meeting
LASTED less than an hour, and no business
whatever was transacted.
Secret of the Art.-Skinner-What