Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-29

Croker Stands by "fsharN ana neih'
Richard Croker goes to Carlsbad from
London in a few days for three months.
He had a long farewell talk In London
last evening with the Reiffs, who sail for
New York on The Deutchsland on Friday.
Mr. Croker has engaged both the Reiffs
and his trainer, Wishard. for next season.
II am satisfied that had the Jockey Club
limited it's investigation to the running or
The Scotchman H." said Mr.. Croker. lit
would long ago have been settled; but,
having entered into the question which
Lord Durham's charges started, the stew
ards 1 think, have found that those who
tried to put up the game exposed the weak
ness of their own hands to an extent they
little anticipated. and that they thus un-
Willingly opened a field which has sur
prised and chagrined them. l have just re-
turned from Newmarket, and all my infor-
nation has strengthened my faith in the
Reiffs and Wishard. 1 am perfectly willing
to abide by the result. The matter is giving
me little trouble.
Little Johnnie Reiff is going to the
United States to attend school, He gives
the world evidences of the kind of boy the
American boy is With all his success on
the English turf he is not satisfied. He is
preparing for a useful life. while many
jockeys are content to spend the winter I'M
profitably around the training stables.
Johnnie Reiff is not willing to limit his
future to racing alone. l think that tells
the whole story Of American success on the
English turf. Educational training is the
best medicine I know of for either horse or
rider"
Jefries After Fitzsimmons.
If Bob" Fitzsimmons is really sincere in
his desire for another match with James J.
Jeffries for the heavy weight championship
of the world, the giant Californian will sign
articles whenever "Lanky Bob is ready.
William A. Brady. Jeffries' manager, doubts
Fitzsimmons' sincerity and believes that the
former champion is simply announcing his
willingness to arrange another match for
advertising purposes.
Il hope, however" said Brady in New
York yesterday, "Fitzsimmons is really in
earnest because Jeffries wants to fight him
once again. The champion is ready to give
Fitzsimmons first chance with him, as stip-
ulated in the articles Of agreement signed
between Jeffries and Rubin and Jeffries
and Sharkey. Jeffries will make the match
Immediately, under any equitable arrange
ment. I had an interview with Percy Will
liams, who is Fitzsimmons' business man
ager before the lanky fellow went on the
road. / told Williams that we would make
match with Fitzsimmons to take place
within eight months. If at the end of that
time Fitzsimmons thought that he was too
old to go ahead with the contract and de-
clared the bout off, we would agree JEFF
fries has no choice for a battle-ground: he
will fight Fitzsimmons any place the for
mer champion may designate after Nav l.
II t1tzsfmmons is in earnest let him sign
articles at once.
National Leagues Annual Meeting.
The annual meeting of the National
League and American Association of base
ball clubs will be held at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel New York, on December IL, and it
is expected that considerable important
business will be transacted. The magnates
will be called upon to adjust a few import
ant matters to stave OFF the impending base
ball war. The first of these is the PROPOSE
ton of the American League for some of
the territory the National League at pres
ent occupies by reason of the reduction Of
can body wants are Washington, Baltimore
and Cleveland
1t is expected the National League mag
mates will allow the new league these cities,
as they are valueless to them.
1t is believed the American League is a
strong body and that If the major body
can work In harmony with it a revival of
the national game will follow the union.
The players association which was formed
last summer. wants some consideration
from the big league, too. The players,
through their committee will ask that some
changes be made in next seasons contracts.
They want the reserve rule modified SO
that club cannot reserve player for a
longer period than three years, and also
demand that the ''farming-out" system be
abolished.
Shamrock II Closely Guarded.
Though George L. Watson, the designer
of Sir Thomas Lipton's new challenger for
the Americas cup admits that the lines
of Shamrock II are quite settled upon and
that the building of the yacht is in pro-
gress, he will not tell at which Clyde yard
she is being constructed. as he relies on
excessive secrecy. He said he had lesson
with the Valkyrie. Every precaution, he
added, was taken then, but the American
reporters gained admission to the yard and