Evening star., 1898-02-10

see. and If the bleacher element could vote
upon the proposition 1t would be wiped out
of existence.
$50 far as 1 am individually concerned
do not care 9. cent about how this matter
may be settled I do think, however, that
the wishes of our patrons ought to be re-
specfed in this regard, and there is no
question as to what their preference would
be IL the proposition could be submitted to
them.
Opposed to Farming.
IT have read with much interest what
Ed Hanlon says in reference to the farm-
ing Of players0another evil which fs be-
coming too grievous to be borne-and VIII
be glad to join bim in an earnest effort to
abolish the system. Wipe from on our
base ball statute the farming and present
drafting system, permit no major league
club to have under contract or reserve at
7 any one time more than sixteen players.
would be very proper order to make In
player let all the clubs in the league have
an open field and fair fight to secure his
services at the same price he cost the club
releasing him.
drafting evil. take the Indianapolis and
Toronto clubs. What chance did the other
minor league clubs have who had no con-
nection with a major league club? The
Torontos lost twelve out of the first four
teen games played; then we sent them
Harvey Smith, Lush and Norton, with
which they strengthened their weak places,
and at once struck winning streak, which
stuck to them until the close Of the season
Was not this giving Toronto an unfair ad-
vantage over the other clubs in that
league? Yet under the enactment and in
depreciation of base ball law these trans
actions were perfectly legitimate. Such a
howl went up all along the line in oppose
ton to this unfair statute that We relin-
quished all our interest in the Toronto
club, and the coming season will find Ar
thur Irwin free from any entangling al
liances. The Indianapolis and Cincinnati
clubs had the same sort of an arrange
ment, and have yet, far as know; and
it is source of constant and unpleasant
criticism which is doing the game no good
The principle is wrong. The drafting
feature, particularly, is wrong as it now
the rule or law? 1 am afraid not; the
strong clubs, think, would object.
Can we fix by legislation the number or
limit Of players each club may hold under
contract or reserve? 1 think not Can we
by legislation abolish farming and the
present system of drafting? 1 think not
Can we abolish the bunt hit with men on
bases? I hope So
Il do not pretend to have advanced op,n-
lens upon these important questions I
have my own IDEAS concerning these mat
ters. and think 1 have the courage of my
convictions, and am perfectly willing at
any time to speak out in meeting
believe If my distinguished colleagues
wouio go over these questions as carefully
me IN many of my conclusions We are
all, OF course. striving for the same goal
that 49, to give our patrons the very best
ensertainme possible for their money in
order that We may receive a fair and re-
munerat1Ve return on our large invest
ments, as we are not entirely in the busi-
ness for recreation" Regarding the new
pitcher he said: Il know nothing PERSONALLY
about Mahaffy, whom 1 have signed upon
the representations of Al Selbach. He is
from Buchtel, Ohio, and Selbach speaks in
ektraVagant terms of his ability. We will
give him fair trial, and it NAV he that ba
Will prove another Ohio phenom'