The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-23

adjustment of the Brotherhood war, and
that the final result of having two dis,
tinct major associations playing the
game under one organized head, or rather
one set of laws and rules governing the
game, and that without friction, [ am
only afraid, however that his other in
terests may prevent him from accepting
the position. From recent conversations
1 have had with him on the game in
general, I know he is very anxious as
to its future, and hoped that baseball
would get back to It's old-time playing,
and said he felt particularly interested
for its future good, and quoting him,
1--WE should be. particular in keeping it
pure and always above suspicion"
SOden's Compliance.
The reply of President Soden, of Bos-
ton, to Mr. Robison'S letter, was as fol-
lows:
I know of but two objections that could
be made to Mr.. Spa1ding. First, that he
is a large owner of the Chicago club, and
second, that he is interested to a great
extent in supplying outfits, such as balls,
bats and uniforms, to the National league
clubs. An ideal president to my mind
would be a person entirely disinterested,
as regards club ownership, having no
financial interest in any department of
the game. Personally. these objections
which I have named would have little
weight with me, as I do not consider
them of sufficient Importance to offset
the many qualifications possessed by Mr..
Spalding, who is eminently fitted for the
position, and who would fill the Office
with great credit. g
Brooklyn Enthusiastic.
Tbbets, of Brooklyn, replied that he
fully indorsed the views regarding Spald-
ing expressed by Robson. He said:
Your communication of Feb / arrived
during a weeks absence out of town.
Immediately wired you yesterday how I
felt upon the subject and would like to
say more particularly now that [ know
of no move better calculated to advance
the interests of the National league
than the ore outlined by you. The Amer
lean league, by reason of containing
many of our stars as l have learnt
during the past week, coming in touch
with various ball players, will present
stronger front than l had at least an,
ticipated. With the way their president
handled matters last year, as spoken
of by you, they will most positively cause
US considerable trouble, but the selection
of Mr.. Spalding as president of the
League would raise US far above the
American league in the eyes of the pub
lie | earnestly hope that you, Brush
and Hart will Immediately tender the
office to Mr.. Spalding. I believe he will
accept it If it is offered unanimously
and from a conversation with Mr.. Soden
in Boston, on Thursday, [ feel assured
there will not be dissenting voice. The
Brooklyn club is strongly in favor of this
move, and leaves the matter entirely in
your hands and those who might join
you in waiting upon Mr.. Spalding. I
hope you will not permit him to refuse
as we believe it is his duty in the inter-
est of baseball to accept Sincerely hop
ing you will accomplish your object and
trusting to hear of your success, 1. re-
main.
Chicago Approves.
President Hart. of Chicago, while ex-
pressing doubt as to whether Spalding
could be prevailed on to accept the Presi-
dency, replied as formally as follow
Received your letter of Feb. 1st, also
the copy of the circular letter inclosing
newspaper clipping. This matter will
have to be handled in a very diplomatic
and tactful manner in order to have Mr..
Spalding accept the position at ALL A
man OF his high standing and notoriety
would hesitate to take hold of the affairs
of business institution that Is in as
bad shape as the National league ap-
pears to be today, Just entering as it is
what will probably be a disastrous war
fare, unless the position is offered him In
way that will be attractive. Just how
attractive it will have to be to encourage
him to take 1t [ do not know, for in
his different talks with me about base
Dali afalrs, have never had an intima-
ton from him that he would accent the
Offo ~;
but / know that he has as much love
Tor the game as he ever had, and that he
always does, and will regret any de-
terioration in the standing of the Nation
al league.
1 agree with you that if he can be in
duced to accept the position 1T will
be the best move that the National
league can make. If a man of Mr..
Spalding's standing could be secured
for the position, it would be a grand
move even if the man secured were en-
tirly ignorant of baseball customs and
practices. but in Mrs paldfng is combined
the integrity, the love for the game.
the high standing in the community. the
notorlety, the ability and the knowledge
which makes him without question the
most desirable man on the face of the
earth for the position
Mr.. Spalding left for a trip to Cali
fornia before your letter was received
knows nothing about the letter and will
not for the present, if ever
Brush Shows His Hand.
No reply from Dreyfuss or Freedman
appears in the correspondence. but it
contains a letter from Brush to Freed
man dated Feb. 3, 1901, as follows:
Regarding Mr.. Robinson's suggestion
of A G. Spalding for president, | have
this to say: If we should carry out
the ideas discussed in Mr.. ssoden 3 room
with Soden, Robinson and yourself that
| night, we would have no occasion in my
| judgment for a president All of the
clerical work necessary TO. the conduct
OF baseball would be contributed by Sec
retarieS employed for that purpose. The
entire question of handling clubs, leagues.
national agreement. players and unpires
| would be handled by a board OF control.
| or, as we might say, by a board of re-
gents.
There would be no more contracts Will,
| ball players. The board Of regents would
| license all ball players, managers and
| umpireS and In issuing their licenses
| under the rules and conditions that gov
| ern, it would only issue licenses TO NAV
| ers to play with certain clubs in GER
| tain leagues. 1t would only issue licenses
| to certain individuals to umpire in GER
| tain leagues. 1t might only issue licenses
to managers to manage certain clubs In
certain leagues, and all violations of rules
would be handled by the board of re-
gents, and for a violation of rules the
licenses would be suspended for given
| period of time.
1.-THE board of regents would be COM
posed of club presidents of the National
league, and should consist of say five
members, and no club president should
sit In Judgment in any case where his
own club Is involved; in that way i'm
partial judgment might be endared fcr
all violations of baseball laws, and pun.