Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-28
NEW LEAGUE FORMED
National Association Once More Comes
to Life at Chicago.
MAGNATES THOUGHT TO Be BEHIND IT
Three Big Organizations Are Now
in the Base Ball Field.
GENERAL SPORTING NEWS

A great big base ball sensat ton, that has
been Matching for several weeks, was made
public in Chicago last night, and from
there telegraphed to several eastern papers.
In substance it is the successful forma ton
of the National Association, the organiza-
ton that has been fathered for two years
by Francis Richter Of the Sporting Life,
and which was crippled last year and this
through the desertion of John McGraw, the
Baltimore ball playermanager.
When McGraw deserted the National As
ISOLATION last fall and affiliated with the
American League it was supposed that the
Richter crowd had been thrown down too
hard to successfully regain their feet again.
But nothing daunted Mr. Richter again
went to work, and for the past month has
been crystalizing his scheme, and if last
nights reports are true the National Asso-
citation has been successfully organized
The reports from Chicago last night said
that the National Association would work
in harmony with the National League, but
unless the original ideas have been aban-
dcned this report is incorrect. 1t has been
the ambition of Editor Richter to place an
Independent organization in the field, and
he has worked consistently along these
lines, but the spreading out of the Ameri-
can League may have changed his plans.
National Association Plans.
"a SyHOpSlS VI Tic 4<dtiOldl ASSOCidtloh
plans would be something like this: To be
composed of eight clubs, comprising the
cities of Boston, Providence. Philadelphia
and Washington in the east, and st. Louis,
Chicago. Milwaukee and Detroit in the
west A majority of the best players in
the National League are to be signed at
last years salaries, all of which will be
guaranteed. The players wanted have been
parceled off to the different clubs, and the
services of these men can be depended upon,
as they have been threatened with lower
salaries and a shorter season by the Ma
tional League. All the latest ideas that
will be beneficial to the game are to be
adopted and in this way it is believed the
base ball enthusiasts of the country Will
be won over to support the new organiZa-
ticn. Editor Richter and his associates be-
.eve that the National League has fallen
into disrepute among the base ball patrons
of the country, and that entirely
organization will meet with favor. This
belief is the foundation upon which the
National Association has been built.
When the National Association was first
announced 100 many of its plans were re-
vealed. and rs a result it met with defeat
last year. This year everything has been
done quietly. and result the success of
the organization was almost assured when
McGraw deserted. With Baltimore wiped
eff the National slate another city had to
be found, and Providence was selected.
This closed up the eastern end of the or
eight cities. When this work had been
completed a meeting was called for Chica-
go, and last night all the prospective mag
mates of the National Association gathered
in the windy city. 1t was not intended
that any details of the organization should
be given out before everything had been
arranged, but in body of this sort few
injudicious ones are always found, and as
result the enterprising reporter knew d
good thing when he heard it and doubtless
scored a beat.
The moneyed men who back of the
different clubs are well known. and the
publication of their names will produce
sensation. 1t is believed that the Detroit
Club of the American League will desert
that organization and affiliate with the Ma
tional Association. and in this way a de-
moraliZing blow will be delivered to Pres
ident Ban Johnson and his associates. The
main object of both the National League
and the National Association Is doubtless
to drive President Johnson and the Ameri-
can League out Of eastern territory. With
this accomplished everything will be plain
sailing for Editor Richter and his compan-
ions, as it will result in a peaceful solution
of the situation by the two bodies instead of
a triangular fight