The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-04
IT LOOKS LIKE A FIGHT
PRESIDENT HART REFUSES To
BULGE FROM HIS POSITION.
The American League Is Hardly in q
Position to Fight the Big
League-Baseball Gossip.

Ol giving up the chicago Heiu iof an <ii4ci-
lean League club to be owned by Charles
Comiskey. A few things happened during
the last week that might lead some people
to believe he is really in earnest in his
avowed intention of waging a war on the
National League unless this league is al
lowed TO enter Chicago over President
Harris protest. The story of the existing
trouble has been published before, and
those who have followed baseball can see
plainly where President Hart, of the Chi
cago club, has displayed a policy that is
not sportsmanlike; but, because he mas
gone back on his agreement does not lessen
the folly of the American League magnates
carrying on a war with the National
League in an endeayor TO get into Chicago.
The Windy City would be an excellent
location for an American League club un-
der favorable circumstances, but to go into
Chicago when this league would be COM
PEELED to fight its way would be an expen-
sive investment for every club In the league
as well as for Comiskey. There are great
many ways in which the National League,
which has dollars where the American
League has cents, could cause financial
ruin to the American League, should the
latter break away from the national agree
ment and go into fight. 1t would be bet
ter, 1t seems, for Comiskey TO go to Louis
vile, providing Hart wants to go back on
his word, than to enter into fight. The
National League would not stop at organ
izing a rival organization to compete with
the American League in few of the cities,
and with unlimited capital back of it the
National League would be bound to come
out on top. As stated before, President
Johnson gave facts in his recent chicago
interview. and there seems 10 be nothing
to do but to abide by the ruling or the
National League.
President Brush left Indianapolis, Friday
evening, ostensibly for the East, where he
will meet the members of the circuit COM
mittee and a few of the National League
magnates before the League meeting is
held the middle of the week. The National
League may issue an ultimatum 10 the
American League at this meeting and then
the American League magnates VIII have
something to act upon when the meeting
OF the latter league is held In chicago
March Il. President Watkins is still nom
communicative the subject OF the pro-
posed disruption. What stand he Will
take in the matter he himself knows and
he will not give the slightest intimation of
what his position will be. 1t is believed he
will let the other magnates have their say
and will then make his talk, providing he
says anything at all.
Manager Watkins has at last admitted
that he has purchased First Baseman NJ. ].
Kelly and Shortstop Madison from the
Pittsburg club. He expects them to sign
contracts within few days. Kelly Is
young man whom Louisville bought from
Hartford
He played first base for Louisville from
June until the close of the season. He
stands about six feet, is fast and good
hitter. He is looked upon as a coming first
baseman. Shortstop Madison is not only a
first-class player, but is a good coacher.
He lacks five inches of being six feet tall.
- :.
Manager Watkins has secured the signed
contracts OF Ace Stewart, the second base
man, and Pat Foley. The latter is said to
be promising young pitcher from New
port.
Yesterdays sun took great deal of the
frost out Of the surface of the ground and
1t will take only few days of such wealth
er to put Washington Park in condition so
that the work can be completed. Austin
& Shower. who have the contract for the
grading and so6ding OF the Park, claim
that they only need about eight days of
good weather to complete their work.
In just one month Washington Park will
be opened with a game between Indianapo-
lis and Cincinnati. Then the indianapolis
people viii have an opportunity to look at
the clubs new home, which is one of the
most complete and comfortable In the
league.
Stewart Dammann. Hartsell and Hickey,
who are going to Memphis. will report here
about April /, and they say they will be in
first-clasS condition. The other members
of the team will be ordered to report in In
dianapolis about March Is.
George Hogriever has written that he
just returned from a hunting trip In Wis
consin and is as hard as nails.
::
Treasurer Gavin will this week complete
his arrangements for ticket sellers and
ticket takers at Washington Park for the
coming season.
Johnny Mccarthy, the ex-Indianapolis
left fielder. was in this city last week Wis
iting his old friends He left for West
Baden, where he will join the Chicago club,
of which he is now a member, and will then
go South with that club.
Word was sent out from Chicago last
evening that President Hart, of the Chi
cago club. had left that city for Indianapo-
lis, presumably to confer with President
Brush. The Chicago man missed a guess
this time, for President Brush left Indian
apolis Friday night. Hart might have gone
TO West Baden or TO the East to confer
with the members of the circuit committee
OF the big league before the league meet
ing. The meeting has not been announced
officially but Ii is believed IL will be held in
New York this week.
George A. Vanderbeck, late owner of the
Detroit club OF the American Baseball
League appears likely to retain possession
of the club, Notwithstanding it's recent sale
TO satisfy Mrs. Vanderbecks decree for
alimony. Vanderbeck has complied with an
order of the court requiring him to file a
bond for 5000 with sureties for the pay
terday wired his players notices of the out
come.
Henry Harris, manager of the San Fran
cisco ball team, has made liberal offer to
William Lange 10 captain and control the
nine.
Papers were signed at Cleveland yes
terday by President Ban Johnson, OF the
American League, and Charles Somers and
j. c. Kilfoyle. local capitalists, by which
the two latter gentlemen become the own
ers of the American League franchise in
that city. Messrs- Somers and Kilfoyle,
who have ample capital at their command
atof cd hnf already