The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-23
MAGNATES IN \ ROW.
II Grows out OF the Fine when
Brooklyn Refuses ia Pay.

| New YORK Evening Joufnn'
| There is the srsvost danger Of baseball
war which Is liable to disrlpt the whole Ma
tonal League fabric and smash the reserve
rule to smi,hercens. The result would be a
! rush for players such AS the game has not
seen since the brotherhood of Bail Players
sprung their famous organization in the win
ter of iSS9-90.
/ Such an uphcaval is not only possible, but
probable II the Brooklyn club carries out
its threat to bring the WriGley ease into
court and eudeayor to enjoiu the league from
/ collecting the hne OF 5000 imposed on the
/ Brooklyn club for playing Wriglcy when he
was member of the New lorN club.
! The Brooklyn club through its president,
/ Charles ii Ebbets has come nui boldly, un-
/ der the advice of John NJ. Ward. tue club S
/ attorney. who is reported as saying they
] have sure case and says his club Will
not pay the fine unless the Judgment rs sus-
/ tanned in civil court
/ For years tho National League has fought
shy OF the courts of the land. The least
danger Of any such contingency has driven
tine magnates to cover Ike a coVcy oI fright
en5d partridgcs. They scnsibly appreciate
that baseball law. RS laid down in the LeRgue
constitution, is but comic opera play on the
real thing, and pale Vlsibiy when the courts
dre mentioned.
The reserve rule which is so sIavishly
binding on the players has hoeu kept us far
away from the law as Aguualno apparently
I Rusie once threatened 10 ventllate tho re-
6erve rule and is said 10 have heeu pen
stoned for year in double quick time.
Tho Brooklyn clubs threat to bring base
oal law before the lime light OF !udcal
proceedings has consequently thoroughly
aroused the Big Five, and fight to q
finish in which there will be many fall
by the wayside Is liable TO occur,
4 prominent league nasaatc. now in th'
city. but who does not want his name men
toned for various reasons who Is promi'
Ia 81, .ol,N N. rod. hn Lon o.,
eight clubs said to Journal representative
Yesterdays
so the Brooklyn club intends TO go "a
raw? Wen we are not anxious 10 get our
disputes into the courts but II they want
law we will give them all they want and
carry tho whole baseball business further
into the courts than they may desire. We
have stronger lines laid than they have amy
idea oil We desire an amieabe settlement
Of the eight-olub business aud have a COM
mittee appointed to carry out the plan, but
If we are blocked at tho very start by threats
of law proceedings We shall have 10 change
our tactics. II the BROOKLYN club not
get a new silk umbrella il had better get a
last seasons brand--gct under cover any old
way.
Ii was even hnted that 4 the BROOKLYN
clubs threat is carried out the players VIII
be tipped off 10 test the reserve rule In
court and then. when il was smashed. as
without doubt 1t would be. for the players
10 throw themselves on the market and be
snapped IN by the highest bidder
This. Of course. would give the richer clubs
the opportunity to outbid their less fortunate
rivals and secure the cream Of The baseball
profession, Such clubs as Brooklyn. Balt
more. Washington and st, Louis who &c
cording TO the popular idea md belief. are
not oyerburdened with the long green AS
compared with certain other clubs would be
nut to decided disadvantage and would be
obliged to he content with second rate talent.
with losing teams the above clubs would
have littls 10 look forward to in the way
OF financial SUCCESS.
"Joe" Kelly Of the Brooklyn club, who has
stated that he Is dissatisfied with his present
berth. was mentioned yesterday AS a suitable
player to bring tho reserve rule before the
courts.
when such threatening hints are thrown
out by interested parties It can he apprc-
catcd how far such scheme has pro-
crossed.