The times., 1899-08-27

DtNs Nlts
Mike Griffin has sued the Brooklyn club
for $500. an amount alleged to be due
him on salary account for the season OF
1899. The facts alleged are that Griffin
had a contract with Brooklyn TO captain
and manage that club for the season Of 1899,
for which he was to receive the amount
stated, the club then being under the man
agement and ownership of ". A. Abel and
his associates. Upon the amalgamation or
consolidation of the Brooklyn and Baltimore
clubs, Ed Hanlon became the manager and
controller of the team off and on the field
making Griftins services in that capacity
unnecessary. Griffin was, therefore, noti-
fed that he would be relieved of these
duties and that he would be played at
center field, and the extra salary paid him
for said extra services would be discon-
tinued. Griffin protested against any
change Of his previous contract and de-
manded the salary agreed upon in that in
strument. In the mean time the st. Louis
club purchased the contract of Griffin,
which, under National League law, and the
contracts made with the players, Ii could
do. Yet Griffin refused to be a party to this
transaction and declined TO go 10 ST. Louis
notwithstanding the salary offered him was
more than that offered him by Brooklyn
less the additional amount to be paid him
for the extra duties. Griffin reported at
the Brooklyn grounds early in the season
and offered to go TO work in accordance
with the terms of his contract, but was not
allowed TO do so. Hence the suit. The only
equity that Griffin seems to have IS the
difference between the amount he was to
receive under his contract and the amount
he was offered by the ST. Louis club, as he
has not and will not play ball this season
and will not likely receive pay for services
not performed. Griffin's services now and
from the date of the transfer of his contract
belong to the st. Louis club, and under the
National League contract which ne mas
signed he is bound by its provisions to go
wherever he is directed. The case involves
some legal complications that have long
been subjects of argument and this VIII be
a splendid opportunity to have many Oh the
vexed questions settled by court OF equity.
If the proposed new leagues will carry
out their promises of giving the public
better ball at less prices with better ac-
commodations than the National League is
now doing. they ought to succeed. But is
there any sensible business man who be-
lieves that they can or will make good this
assurance Talk is easy and cheap. Results
can only be obtained by large investments
Of capital, which is absolutely necessary
in order to present a respectable front to
an organization so well endowed and en-
trenehed as is the National League,
therefore the gentlemen who invest their
money in this new scheme should not lose
sight of the fact that with strong and
wealthy organization as rival that VIII,
if a fight is precipitated, prove foeman
with courage, determination, and money.
Brooklyn is now IS points ahead of Bos-
ton having won 72 and lost 35 games,
while Boston has won 67 and lost a. At
this stage of the game majority of five
is a great many.
The Orioles manager. McGraw, says he
may not win the pennant, but will have
the satisfaction OF beating out the Phillies
weighing had an off day yesterday and
| the team played wretchedly behind him.
The Red Legs seemed to try not to win,