Waterbury Democrat., 1901-12-24

chances are We can go through several more. If Hartford does not like the company she is in. let her get out, and we will take i'll Holyoke or any other city. Even Naugatuck would be bet ter than Hartford. judging from past experiences in base ball in the Capitol city
 There Is not q sporting writer in this state who does not believe that har- mony is the only thing that will secure success in this league. Why go deeper into quarrel which is sure to develop some pretty hard feelings? Let Hart ford, if she is allowed to stay ill the league, Bristol, whether she comes back or not, New Haven, Bridgeport, Springfield, Meriden, New London, Norwich and Waterbury shake hands across the chasm which is widening day after day and let harmony be the watchword from now until the next season Is ended.
 Men identified with the Spalding fac ton in the National League of Profes- sional Baseball Clubs said yesterday that it would not be at all surprising to hear of a conference between A. G. Spalding, the enjoined president. and Ban Johnson. the chief executive of the American league, somewhere between Washington and Chicago, within the next ten days. There is nothing to prevent them from having q sociable chat on the baseball situation. and Johnson may learn some bits of infor- nation from the enjoined president that will throw considerable of a side light on the situation. Friends of the Freedman faction have been circillat- ing a story to the effect that Johnson intends to hold a confab with the New York magnate with the idea of form ing coalition with the anticipating forces in the National league in which event the American league would be represented at the Polo grounds. This yarn has been. punctured by the ques- ton if such a combination should be made what would become of Freed mans allies, Soden of Boston and Rob- isonsof St Louis, two cities where the American league is all powerful just now? Spalding's letter to the eight National league clubs advising them to sign players brings to notice the fact that the American
 
 been making effective inroads into the old organizations playing talent. So far the American league has. landed these former National league players since October I:
 Boston-Hickman and Warner from New York. and Dineen from Boston.
 chicago-Davis from New York, Daly from Brooklyn, and Green from Chicago.
 Philadelphia Hartzell from Chicago, Cross. Flick and Townsend from Phil adelphia.
 St Louis-Burkett. Heidrick, Wal lace. Padden. Powell and Harper from St Louis; Douglass and Donahue from Philadelphia.
 Baltimore-AfeGann from St Louis: Hughes from Chicago: Selbach from New York, and Joe Kelley from Brook lyn.
 -Delehanty, orth and Wolverton from Philadelphia. - Detroit-Same as last year with q standing offer of $5 000 to Keeler of Brooklyn, who is thinking it over.
 With the Hopping of the champion Pittsburgs. the ex-champion Brooklyns together. with what is left of the Chi cago and Philadelphia Nationals. to the American league, as part of twelve club circuit. there will not be enough first-class timber left with the Freed man forces to have a Chance in con- tests with minor league teams. "Get the payers first" has been Johnson's war cry. '"Then if the National wants peace. the American will be in posi- ton to dictate terms." And it looks as if Johnson had played his cards with wisdom. The New York club signed a Detroit amateur named Man. ly Thurston yesterday. He is catch e,
 Sid Challenger and John Rieger, both of you are old enough to know better. and we will have to appoint a commission to put both of you under restraint unless you let up. We know you mean all right, but 1t has gone too far already. Let us save the league even if we have to drop Hartford to do it.
 Secretary O'Rourke, will you please call that meeting and let all your differ ences be aired in that session? Go at each other hammer and tengs and may the best man win. If Hartford Is to remain let her prove herself worthy of being in the league If Bristol Is to come back let Us know 1t now But by all means call that meeting.
 Tom Reilly over in Meriden should let up on the knocking he has been doing. He knows well that he is help ing to demoralize the league and will prevent many players from coming Into this league. Ball players do not care to sign where the papers in the state are trying to kin the game. Let us have an end to 1t and let the league meeting be called. if necessary, and settle 1t once and for all.