Omaha daily bee., 1900-12-30
SIGNS OF PEACE APPEAR
Bow of Promise Stretches Across Base Bal
Firmament 0noe More.
BAN JoHNsONs FACE wREATHED IN SMILE!
DimcuIties I'm Fair Way to he
AmicabIy settled Long Be-
fore Umpire Cries
"Play Ball."

One would hardly imagine after reading
the reports that have emanated from
Chicago during the week that there is any
sign of peace in the base ball armament.
Yet a glass even less powerful than one
used to descry the canals on Mars can
detect bow OF promise in the sky, and
behind its radiance may be seen the features
OF Ban johnson, wreathed in smiles, the
same being caused by the contemplation OF
the furore he has kicked up. Ban Johnson
is hardly a merry jester but he is ap-
parently monumental buffer. More than
that, he has surrounded himself with some
other buffers who are hardly open to the
charge of being amateurs, and they have
produced most wonderful piece Of work to
support their apparent assault on the
stronghold Of the National league. Just
little analysis is sufficient to show how
diaphanous the new league" really is.
Five cities are named as having been given
franchises and several others are sug-
gested as having made application or COM
ing under the general head Of available
Among the latter Omaha is included. Care
full inquiry has failed to develop the
presence in Omaha Of anyone anxious to
put in second team. Detroit Is to have
two teams, and 1t Is even suggested that
other points in the American league circuit
may be similarly blessed. Rockford,
Illinois, is put down as a probable candidate
and there is a futtering among the fans
down Quincy way in hope that that town
may be similarly honored. All OF these
stories read nicely and will serve to assist
people in forgetting coal bills and the ike,
but what is back Of them? Ban johnson,
Who is back Of Ban Johnson? The owners
back OF them? Echo answers. Ban John
son says the big league has treated him
shabbily. How? Why. the big league re-
fused to give up when he said he proposed
to make his league the premier. That's all.
There is a dispute as to which shall hold
first place that is all. Johnson and his
hackers do not propose to be kept In class
A under the national agreement any longer.
Jimmy Manning says the big league didn't
give him the protection he paid FOR, IN tnat
II did not compel the Toronto club to pay
him $500 for a player in dispute. Mr.. Man
ming complains specifically that the matter
was not taken up at the late meeting OF the
National league When the National league
was in session at New York recently 1t was
announced through the papers that neither
Mr. johnson nor any OF his coadjutors would
go near it. and as far as Is publicly known
none of them did. So Mr. Manning has
onlv himself to blame II his claim was not
considered, for he not only did not appear
to press 1t, but was actually engaged In
preparing to carry on a war against the
very organization he now condemns for fail
ing to give him protection" 1t is OF this
sort OF stun the American leagues objec-
tions to the National league are made.
What sort Of protection will the Amer
lean be able to give the associate league II
Is reported to be forming, II 1t withdraws
wholly from the national agreement? Only
the ball players word. Most managers
know what that means Well, II base bal
is to be put on that basis, 1t simply comes
to anarchy. This is why The Bee puts nj
dependence In the reports OF rival leagues
and two teams in every town stories II
is beyond reason that men OF suficien
means to equip and ability to direct sue
cessful base ball team will deliberately pu
themselves at the mercy OF the players
Not that all players are dishonest for the!
are not. In fact The Bee believes tina
most base ball players are as honest ant
trustworthy as the common run OF men
but there are enough rascals and trick!
players to upset all plans. Old base bal
annals are full Of cases Of contract jump
ing and there is no very good evidence tina
the breed OF players has much improved
In fact, Mr.. Manning's complaint agains
the National league is based on a case o
I contract jumping. and the failure Of the b
! league to compensate him under the protec
,, tion clause OF the national agreement. Now
II the American league deliberately dis
, rupts the agreement under which even
! semblance OF protection Is afforded, wha
will be the resultf The American leagu