The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-01
MAGNATES G BUSINESS
ace sIE THE NATIONAL CANE
MUST I'm PUReED OF ROWDHISN.

~ what Nnedns This Shall ne Done IL the
HHsoted ouestisn-Hrush Hticks to ME miach-
ttsting Pinr-Preaidsnt WnGner's euGGesttsn
-Reach's Chances for the National Beard.
Or. Louis, Feb. 2s.-At 8 o'clock tonight the
National League delegates. who have assembled
here to hold their annual spring meeting. went
into session for their FIRST deliberations. and
they will probably keep up their work Of secrecy
nearly all the week. Tho late arrivals to-day
were President Pulliam Of the Louisville Club.
President watkins Of PittsburF. John I. Rog-
ers Of Philadelphia. and . number Of minor
League managers and players. Tho corridor Of
the Southern Hotel was nlled all day with .
small army OF baseball mon, both big and little.
who discussed various points at Issue. but more
especially as to the question Of the hour, that Of
suppressing rowdyism and the kickers. There
10 absolutely no doubt that the League will take
action ON this question, and will formulate rules
Of such a nature that the game will be greatly
purined.
Those who have charge of the movement 70
cleanse the game say that IL makes no difference
whether the New York Clubs representative
has seen At to remain away or not. for the Ma
tional League will see to 1t that during this
year and others to come there will be such q
change in the methods employed by players on
the Geld that baseball will become more popular
than ever. So far as outward appearances 60.
oNNHy Q0ltRhUo 10 u IutBttiA hhb y - VA
pressed himself as being unq uestlonably in
favor Of establishing sportsmanlike methods.
President Pulliam lost no time upon his arrival
In hunting up the correspond cnt OF THE U
and expressing himself as follows:
1T noticed In THE SrN last week that the Lou
iaville Club was slated as being in favor OF stop
ping kicking, providing other clubs would do
likewise. That was right in a way. but I would
like to have the Louisville Club placed on record
even more emphatically to the effect that there
will be NO kicking at all by the Louisville Club
this year. either at homo or abroad. regardless
of everybody else. There Is no use denying the
fact that the League has been forced into q cor
ner, and the club owners at the present time are
atbay. We have either got to favor clean ball
row or DO written down by the press and con-
demned by the public for Q general lack Of sport
inE blood and a desire to win ball games on the
level. You can depend on the Louisville Club.
when the question is raised, to vote for no kick
ing, and to do anything in Its power to provide
clean ball.
80 far as the Brush blacklist resolution is
concerned. that Is q matter which will be con-
sidored later. Tho clubs of the League have
heard various reports about tho giBt Of this
measure, but as the case is still in tho hands Of
tho committee and has not formally been pre-
scented to tho League, it seems slightly out Of
place for one to discuss its merits and dement's.
] believe that something must be done to pre-
vent o repetition of the disgraceful language
which has been used by almost every prominent
player in the National League"
President Watkins of the PittsburG Club is
also strongly in favor of anything that may be
brought up In the League to stop riot and disor-
der. Watkins. as is well known. 10 an advocate
OF responsibility. and has always been one since
he nrst became noted as manager Of the De-
trnft ehamniOna ten yAara ngO. He has n
hard task before him to pacify tho ram
pant crowds and unruly cranks who have
made the game so distasteful to the
patrons at Pittsburg. But he Is n determined
man. and he said tonight that he would take
the bull by the horns. and by radical measures
enforce the rules of the League to the letter. He
is willing to be placed on record, and is evidently
somewhat cut up over the fact that the Pitts
burg Club has received a black eye in various
reports about the behavior of its players.
No stronger advocate Of fair play can be found
than in John I. Rogers. who cnme in on q late
train this afternoon. Rogers. like his partner.
AL Reach. intends to mako a stirring appeal to
his fellow magnates OF this momentous question.
When he was asked tonight what he thought
".There is no doubt about the result, and 1 feel
safe In allowing YOU to quote me as SAYING that
players from kicking next season. and will so
support the umpires. whether, they DO right or
wrong. that their work will be far better than
You'd Ike 70 say that II they Continue as they
ssSs lf' shs aa'n 81 ' the % mag at %G IN the &c S% srilt3{
Tho latter are, TO blame for all these
s troubles aS:rs and Of t thsy i hs4w cs sns. thS public ,S.S
cannot afford to back down or In any way
20 back on their word or mako insincere prom
Uses, for the eyes of tho sporting world are upon
them. The Philadelphia Club has always been
for square sport. and has made q dgnt year after
satisfaction that Mr.. Reach and / come to this
meeting and ind that our pet schemes for the
oonSideTsd and 0s ' put sh into eff efe et'u' TO DO seriously
j. Earl wagner Of the washington Club 10
getting to DO more emphatic on tho question as
day REGARDING the attitude OF tho WashinEton
Jack Doyle, who 10 considered to be one of tho
worst rowdies in tho League. Wagner. among
other things. said in the presence of q half
any man in the League any amount OF money
that the Warrington team next season would
not DO compelled to discipline any OF its play.
ers. "In stop the Washington team. and I
S %Ish ma Ssf " p t Gthe DONE %.ts %sns to to d so1l in aui Linz ne
fsyo5 q clean .un1 sport that hat. n their If fault. but tt 80
think that my engagement Of Jack Doyle was
: iu an = s s ass.sS q ball afv plsy TiSf bas FIT iii Keep Df his
n check 90 far, as kicking against decisions and
sS No y, 80 SAf Far is1 * TIE 4 Bf eSls' BLACKLIST rule /.
concerned. let me say this: II has its good points
and its faults. In my opinion 1t will not be- pop
ular move to put a ball player out OF the game
for life simply because he cannot control bis
tongue. but I think that he should DO pun.
iahed In such q manner that other offenders
will take warning. Jim Hart has made a pretty
good rule. which provides for power TO be given
TO an umpire 80 that he may suspend a player
for the uso Of improper language or for kicking
for any period which he may sec At, or which
pay be deemed proper by tho President of the
League.
81 would like to Just change that around a
little bit and suggest that an umpire should re-
csive power TO suspend a ball player on tho spot
for offences named above, and the period should
DO decided upon by President Young. In that
way en- umpire who is hot headed or who posi-.
bly, has . private grievance against q player will
not be- able to suspend a man for a week or ten
days for spite. when a suspension of only one
day would be moro just. II he suspends q player
without nemingea period and then sends his ties.
timOny to President Young, the player is bound
to be out Of the game for a day or two at any
gate, and he has committed a serious offence
President Young, In my opinion. 10 tho man TO
determine, how long he shall be laid OF. For
fragrant violations Of any rule there must be
punishment, and It esnn9t be made too strong,
with q great deal of favor by all OF the maRnates