Evening star., 1900-11-08
BIG BASE BALL DEAL
President johnson May Join the
National Association.
M'GRAW CONTROLS SITUATION
Conference to Be Held in BaIti-
more Next Saturday.
KELLEY FAVORS THIS CITY

The National League and American Asso-
citation of Base Ball Clubs. to give the or
ganization its full. title. has the largest
| problem before it that has come up since
! the brotherhood movement. This problem
| is represented in the New National Asso-
| citation. Notwithstanding the numerous
| siurs and so-called humor that have been
thrown at the new movement, it is un.
| doubtedly stronger than three-fourths Of
! the base ball world know of and this posi-
| tion has been attained through secrecy.
| Last winter the men at the head Of the
| New National Association took press and
| public into its confidence, with the result
tina through shrewd, If not underhand, dip
| lomatic moves, the National League was
able to thro-- handicaps in it's way which
kept it from placing clubs in the field last
| spring. Wisdom has come with age, and
| at the presen- time very little is known on
| the outside as to the strength of the New
| National Association.
Without disclosing the inside workings of
| the new organization it can be stated that
| the Baltimore pair, McGraw and Robinson.
| control the situation. 1t Is no news to
| state that these players want to play at
| to learn that they will not play with
minor leagu, team, such as proposed by
th.: American League. This latter or
ganization will be subordinate to the
Graw has given it out to friends that he
organize better league than the
American right here in the east. What
McGraw wants is an opposition as strong,
If not stronger, than the National League.
and he believes the New National Assoc1a-
tion can be whipped into shape and made
to be just such an organization.
Therein lies the strength Of McGraw and
Robinson. When the proper time comes
and they throw their interests with the
New National the influence will be some
thing tremen ious in the ranks OF the play
ers. Stars of the base ball world are very
much on the order Of those in the theatre
cal business they thoroughly under
stand their calling. the public ad-
mires their ability, and re-
suit will go to see them play. no matter
with what organization they may affiliate.
The players Of the National League are
fully conversant with the situation. and
League should such stars McGraw and
Robinson take these steps. Private infor-
nation is to the effect that the players. as
a body. favor the New National, and with
the liberal treatment that is to be accorded
them. fully three-fourths of the best men
will sign with the new organization when
contracts are offered them With the play
favoring them. the New National Asso-
citation is taking steps looking to the
strengthening of their organization in the
matter Of securing good paying cities and
also a proper leader. This end may be
reached next Saturday in Baltimore. when
a conference will be held between McGraw
and President Ban Johnson Of the American
League.
than the American League. and for
this reason strong endeavors will be
made to bring President Johnson into |
the ranks Of this organization Mr.. |
in the base ball world. if he has not already |
arrived. and to secure him as the guiding !
hand of the New National would indeed be |
a shrewd move He has whipped the base |
ia hat 10
tional League is almost ready to give Mr.. |
Johnson's league anything he calls for. But |
after giving him everything. President |
Johnsons league will still be minor one, |
and that is exactly what the base ball pa
irons of Washington and Baltimore do not |
want. This city has never protested |
against the price of admission. but it has |
become weary of the tactics of the Messrs. |
Wagner and angry at being left out in the ,
cold by the National League last summer.
The American League, should it locate |
a club in Washington, would certainly work !
in harmony with the National League This
would mean a minor league team for this |
city, as the better players are with the Ma
tional and cannot be secured by the Amer
lean on account Of the friendly agreement
in force. AS ex-Senators Dick Padden. An
derson. Gettmann and Atherton were stars
in the American League last season, it is
not hard to imagine the sort of club that
would represent Washington therein.
With club in the New National Associa-
ton. backed by local people. it is not hard
to determine where the Washington patrons
would go should the parent body determine
to place opposition team here.
Yesterday afternoon William ]. Dwyer of
this city met Francis Richter of rhiladel-
phia and McGraw and Robinson in Balti-
more and a lengthy conference followed. 1t
was decided to confer with President
looking to a combination of the
New National and American League inter-
ests and this will be the big point dis
cussed next Saturday, when all the parties
interested will meet in Baltimore. The
three parties named from this city, Phiia-
delphia and Baltimore agreed among them
selves to stick together and at the present
time it looks like the New National will
come to Washington and Baltimore or tnere
will be no base ball here next year Nc
GraN Is undoubtedly with the New Ma
tional. but, like the shrewd little business
man he is. refuses to go into the affair
until everything looks businesslike and ship
shape. He does not take any stock in the
American League and should the New Ma
tional go by the board he will go back to
st. Louis as manager and captain or get
out of the game entirely.
AS to Joe Kelley coming to this city for
the New National Associa ton club he is
very enthusiastic over the prospect but, |
ike McGraw. is waiting for something SUBJ
stantial to turn up. Kelley wants to come
to Washington, 1t is near his nome. and ,
he impaired the information to Mr. Dwyer ,
that should he locate in this city !
le can secure all the players he wants, and
that they will be in the front ranks as to
lbility. ,