The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-15

I
with reference to his course in the reduc-
tion Of the League circuit are not vel
founded He is charged with being a party
in the offence OF causing that city to be
| dropped from the League circuit, which. il
is claimed is poor return for the gen
crosby the citizens Of that place have ex-
tended to him.
The facts are that under the ten years
compact the various clubs were given
membership in the National League under
certain restrictions and conditions. which,
/ SO far as the franchise and property Of the
several clubs were concerned amounted
/ to vested right Under this
| agreement there were but two ways
/ in which the parties TO this con-
tract could annul these obligations. One
was the surrender OF their franchise by
| the clubs. the other a reduction OF the
League by purchase of the club. or clubs.
sought to be removed In pursuance OF
plans formulated by the League IN order
to improve the financial condition. II was
deemed wise to reduce the membership to
eight clubs. In order to do this 1t was
necessary 10 purchase from four Of their
property. good will. etc upon terms not OF
their choosing and at a price not fixed by
them. Mr. Hanlon and his associates were
asked. with others. to fix a price upon the
Baltimore franchise which. after many
protests. they were finally compelled to do.
The price at first named was considered
exorbitant Il was probably intended to be
prohibitive in order to prevent consum-
nation OF the Leagues plans Tor reduc-
Jion Of the circuit, but a5certaining that
the League could force them to better
terms and that il intended 10 carry out Its
purposes at all hazards. they finally agreed
upon the most favorable terms they were
able to get.
Mr. Hanlon said to the writer that
there is not,a man IN Baltimore who re-
GREETED this unfair. unwise, nd lnder the
circumstances. 1nexcusabse set Or Of tie
League more than l, and I fought the pro-
position TO the end and submitted 10 tGe
will Of the majority because taere was
nothing else to do
Il am grateful to the people Of Btti-
more for their loyalty and support 10
me ard the club that reprt scented them
and no indignity that may be offered ne
will ever cause me to turn my back to ny
Baltimore friends OF be Unu iudfui OF tie
city's interests in any way. II is my
home and / feel interested IN every
movement, either business CT SEC al that
will add to the welfare Of this proud o d
metropolis.
In justice TO myself, speaking from
baseball standpoint. the few or many mel
contents OF Baltimore should not 70 Sc
that ! am entitled TO soGie credit in givH
to the city a fame in baseball orioles that
it never enjoyed before. BY reason Of
continued successes as peuEant winners. .
the name Of Baltimore was d household
word from one chi OF the country TO the .
otter.
Il can very well understand. continued
Mr.. Hanlou. the indignation that is fe.t ,
by large number Of the citizens OF Bal .
timore. II is we'll founded-yet it should 4
not be directed against me"
John 3 Day has issued the following
hints to players:
Il wish before the season opens TO have .
a few words with the players Of the /
League to show them what will be eN- /
pected from them in the way Of deport
ment and 70 explain to them my duties .
in the event of their failure to conduct /
themselves properly on the ball field dur
ing the coming season. 1t is generally ad- /
mitted that the conduct Of some players
has been largely responsible for the great /
lack OF interest taken in the game by its
patrons in recent seasons. The League
IullN realizes InlS idCI anu Is utltEmluth !
to correct the evil. ! have been appointed
with full power to conduct a thorough in
vestigation in cases where trouble occurs
during a game. 1t will be my duty to
locate the fault BY taking the necessary
evidence and TO report my findings to the
president Of the League | sincerely trust
no friend Of mine among the players Will
be found responsible for trouble on the
field this season, as the patrons OF the
game are so strongly opposed to a repe-
tit0n Of past offences that their censure
would almost amount TO ostracism.
Players must be gentlemanly in their
conduct and language, and must absolute
ly refrain from useless kicking and fault
finding with the umpire, even when they
think him wrong. Players should remem-
Der he is only human and is just as liable
TO make errors as player is. and that il I
is not permissible at any time to call !
down player for making errors. Players
can work just as hard to win in le-,iti-
mate way as they could in the old way
strongly urge every player to use all his
vitality to keep his eyes on the bail and
to be in the game all the time, from start
TO finish. This is what is expected from
them and is what wins games
The League managers have recently
done more than could have been asked Of
them to do for the best interests of the
game. The umpires are all Of them com
petent and trustworthy. and they should
have the implicit confidence Of the players.
H. now. the players will correct their hab-
It's and give us straight clean ball play
ing there will be nothing 10 prevent hay
ing the most successful season the game
has ever known"
Jouett Meekin. the famous pitcher re-