The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-28
MAGNATES AT ST LOUIS
BITTER FIGHT IN PROSPECT OVER
NEW PLAYING RULES.
Charged by DeIIass Robson that Club
Owners Are Responsible for
ROwdy Ball Playing.

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 27.-Most of the mag
mates who are expected to attend the an
nual meeting of the National League, which
convenes tomorrow at the Southern Hotel,
are here and the rest will arrive on to-mor-
rows early trains. President Nick Young,
of the National League, and his son, Robert
II. Young, clerk of the national board came
in tonight. The following League cities
are represented by their presidents: Boston,
A. ii. Soden; Brooklyn. c. III. Ebbetts;
Washington, George w. Wagner; Phila-
delphia, A. j. Reach; Chicago, James A.
Hart; Cincinnati John r. Brush; St. Louis,
b. S. Muckenfuss. President Hanlon, OF
Baltimore, President L. De Hass Robson,
Of Cleveland, President II. G. Pulliam, of
Louisville, and President w. III. Watkins,
of Pittsburg, will be here tomorrow. New
York will not be represented by President
ANDREW Freedman, who has given his proxy
to A. III. Soden, of Boston. 1t is the opinion
of several of the assembled magnates that
the business coming before the meeting will
keep 1t in session until Thursday at least
and possibly longer
The adoption of the schedule the drafting
of new rules, especially one abolishing
rowdy ball. the appointment of a new chief
of umpires and the naming of a new staff
ters that will come up and be disposed of
during the present session. 1t is expected
that the rules abolishing rowdy ball will
cause a long and heated debate, and may
lengthen the session. The principal oppon-
ent of the proposed rule blacklisting players
for rowdy ballplaying is President Robson,
of Cleveland. He has been quoted as say
ing that the magnates and not the players
We're responsible for rowdyism on the ball
neld. In a recent interview he is reported
TO nave said: For years we have encOur-
aged players to adopt rough tactics in our
eagernesS to win games. One club began il
and others were forced to follow. The timing
owners paid the fine Now, after we have
raised these players in this way, some of
the late magnates propose that, in order to
Wean them of their bad habits we give UNI
p1reS the power to have them blacklisted
for a violation of the new regulations This
is entirely unjust. The club owner should
gully than the player.
Il shall take the stand at St. Louis that
Tor the first offense player be suspended
thirty days without pay. That is a very
severe punishment for him, and he would
not care to take a chance on losing am
other thirty days pay. At the same time it
the service of valuable player for thirty
days. l believe that the rule placing so
much power in umpire hands Is extremely
dangerous. They are just as apt to go off
the handle as player and vent their spite
on the players they do not like"
1t is also said to be President Robison's
intention to present a resolution requiring
each club president to sign q bond agree
ing to forfeit 5000 If one of his players is
guilty of using foul language on the ball
field. Ned Hanlon, of Baltimore, will be as
ardent q champion for the blacklist rule
as Robson is an opponent. CThis must be
a mistake. Hanlon is known to be against
the proposed new rules.)
President Nick Young, who Is occupying
the room at the Southern Hotel made his
toric by Mark Hanna his headquarters
during the Republican national convention
here in 1896. briefly outlined the work of
the meeting. He said THE board of ar
bitration will meet tomorrow morning and
dispose of q large mum Der of minor mat
tiers coming before it. The regular meet
ing of the National League will convene
Monday evening at o'clock. The first mat
ter of Importance coming before il for ac-
ton after the routine business will be the
playing schedule. The meeting as usual
will be held behind closed doors and the
proceedings will be given out after adjourn
ment Following the schedule the ques-
ton of new rules the naming of the new
chief of umpires and his assistants for the
coming season and the selection of a sue
cessor to the late Charles H. Byrne, of
Brooklyn, on the board of arbitration. will
be in order"
John T. Brush will present before the
meeting a motion that the League adopt
some sort OF testimonial memorial TO
Charles II. Byine. He declined to say what
this would be.