Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-15
Evening Series,
ALL STARS.
FREEDMAN WILL NOT SIGN.
Complains That League Associates
Are Not Treating Him Fairly.

There is nothing new in the local base
ball situation. J. Earl Wagner is lolling
around his hotel and President Youngs
quarters waiting for the word to begin
work or to quit, and this important notice
is expected at any moment. The meeting
of the Western or American League sched-
uled for Chicago yesterday has been post
poned until Saturday. and this may be the
cause of the delay. The gentlemen having
the leagues association movement in hand
are probably working on the details, and
when they are completed something def
mite will be given out. Whether the Amer
lean League will continue to antagonize the
National League or will withdraw to its
former lines, the new association will be
formed seems to be the opinion of men
closely connected with the great game.
President Johnson has on hand the biggest
problem that ever confronted him but
whether he comes out on top or underneath
matters little to the Washington public.
Base ball is wanted in this city, and 1t
seems to be the general impression that no
matter what sort Of article Is served UP to
the local base ball enthusiasts they will
partake of 1t in preference to doing en-
tirely without their summer amusement.
slnele's Case.
The bobbing to the front of Magnate
Freedman in New York with another pro-
test against the signing of Slagle by Phil
adelphia is the latest cloud on the base ball
horizon. Freedman was offered all the
Washington players in New York the day
the reduction of the league was completed,
but emphaticauy stated that he desired only
Mercer. This player was given to him
freely, while fully 5000 would have been
bid for his services by at least two clubs
Different magnates told Freedman to Sc
cure Slagle'5 services. and 1t has apparently
dawned upon the New York magnate' s
mind at this late day that the ex-senator
would be a good man to have. What will
be the outcome OF Freedmans stand in
claiming that the other magnates are trying
to squeeze him is hard matter to say but
that he has been treated quite royalty of
late any fair-minded man will agree.
MIR. Freedman viii Not SIGN,
The New York Sun today has the follow
ing statement authorized by President
Freedman last night:
Mr. Freedman will not sign the agree
ment to pay his share of the SIO4, 600 cir
cult reduction money and will allow base
ball to go to the dogs at the Polo Grounds
unless certain magnates act fairly and
make good their promises. He wants a
chance to buy some of the surplus PLAYERS
held by different clubs and will not accept
has beens' either. The Philadelphia club
has received word from President Young
that its claim upon the services of Out
helder Slagle. one of the Washington play
ers. is valid. We put in claim for this
man on Monday, but have been informed
that we We're too late Rogers now has the
nerve u ouer US one OF us extra 0utneld-
ers for 5000. Freedman sent him a
scorching letter today. Then there's the
case Of Hamilton the Boston centerfielder.
We wanted to get him. but We have been
told that the Boston club people wish to
find out first whether he is of any use to
them. Last year Hamilton had weak
ankles II they are all right this season he
will stay In Boston. If they are not New
York can have him. That's about the size
Of 1t: There are other players we would
like to have. but the magnates are selfish
and unreasonable. If they do not come
to time Mr.. Freedman win make things
warm for them"
Notes.
The statement comes from Boston that
President Soden has said that there would
be no club in New York to figure In the
new American Association. which bears out
The Stars statement that clubs in Boston
and Indianapolis would go into the new
movement Pitcher Meekfn was released
by the Boston management yesterday. and
It is thought he will once more Join the
New Yorka John o'Brien. Z second base
man secured from the Canadian League,