Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-18
BASE BALL PLANS
American Association Holds First
Meeting in New York.
CONFER TODAY With Big LEAGUE
Ban johnson Arrived in Washing
ton This Morning.
SPORTS IN GEN ERAL

The new American Association the ally
of the National League, was launched at
the Hotel Marlborough, New York, yester-
day. Last night the following statement
was given out:
ut is the purpose to form an organization
to be called the American Association. A
temporary organization has been effected.
w. H. Watkins has been appointed tenn
porary chairman. A committee composed
of Irwin of Boston; kavanagh OF Chicago;
Watkins of Indianapolis. and Koch Of Pnii-
ade.pha, has been appointed to walt upon
the national board Of arbitration tomor-
row."
When the meeting was called at o'clock
there were present A. A. Irwin and H. D.
Braman Of Boston; A. H. Koch and Frank
Richter of Philadelphia; c. A. Havener OF
Chicago: H. D. Quinn of Milwaukee; w. H.
Watkins of Indianapolis; Harry Pulliam of
Louisville, and Will G. Bryan of Washing
ton.
The Baltimore franchise seemed to be the
only one ill dispute.
The members of the national board of
conference Is to be held are SOden of Bos-
ton: Rogers of Philadelphia; Hart OF Chi
cage, and Brush of Cincinnati. The same
men form the leagues circuit committee.
w. H. Watkins said last night:
1.-THE American Association Is go. We
are in position to assure the pubic that
We will be in harness at the opening OF the
season. We are going to sign the nat1onai
agreement and be in harmony with the
National League. No. we do not recognize
the American League in any sense of the
word. We are not looking for hight.
American League Grounds in Boston.
A special from Boston. under last
nights date, says that the American
League has obtained a five years lease
of the most eligible base ball property in
Boston. This piece of land, known as the
chutes,' is little more than stones throw
from the league grounds, on the other side
of the New York, New Haven and Hart
ford railroad it is known as the
chutes' for the reason that there Paul
Boynton's chutes held sway up to last
season. From the top of the chutes one
could look straight down on the Bostons'
grounds. The property belongs to the BoS-
ton Elevated Railway Company, which con-
trois the street railway system OF the city.
1t is Triangular in shape and comprises
over 2S7.OU square feet, whereas the
league grounds contain but 1S7.IT square
feet The grounds have frontage OF over
AIS feet on Huntington avenue The grand
stand will doubtless be located In the apex
of the triangle and If any home runs are
made they will be the real thing.
Ran johnson JubiIant.
A special from Cleveland Ohio, says that
Ban Johnson, president of the American
League, was In that city yesterday in con-
suitation with the managers of the Cleve-
land club.
Last night he and Charles w. Somers
Of the Cleveland club left for Philadelphia.
Baltimore and Washington to complete
plans for the circuit.
over the news from Boston. He was
evasive when asked whether this would
mean that both Indianapolis and Buffalo
would be dropped. This much is known,
watkins has been ousted entirely and the
American League will be an eight-club
circuit. This means that Buffalo and In
dianapols would be declared out at the
next meeting Of the league. which will take
place inside Of ten days.
What President johnson Says.
President Ban johnson Of the American
League arrived in Washington. early this
morning and registered at the Raleigh.
Charles Somers of Cleveland. accompanied
Mr.. johnson as far as this city. but con-
tinued on to Baltimore. When seen by an
Evening Star reporter this morning. Mr..
Johnson said:
Il expect to remain In Washington for
the next couple days and will help Mr.
Manning to round up the preliminaries
looking to the permanent organization of
an American League club in this city.
1.-The American League has practically
burned it's bridges behind 1t In the west.
and we have come east to stay. AS you
have seen by the morning papers, Connie
Mack closed q lease for Boston grounds
yesterday, and we will begin as soon as
possible to place them In shape Tor ball
paving. Heretofore we have not been sure
about Boston, as did not fully understand
! how my associates stood In regard to en-
bracing that city In our circuit. But with
Yesterdays action In closing a lease, I can
now state that an American League club
for Boston Is assured TACT.
lover IT, Philadelphia we are equally as
strong as we have already prepared plans
for base ball park, and by the first OF
next week contractors will start to work
on the grounds.
The Local Situation.
TN this city suppose you have kept the
local people posted. Mr.. Manning brought
large sum Of money with him. and this
morning has deposited 1t in local bank.
In all our expansion plans we have not
asked fo- assistance financially In any
way, but we ire not selfish. and If there
are any capitalists in Washington DESTROYS
of investing money in a paying base ball
venture, 1 am sure Mr.. Manning stands
ready to take them as partners.
MIR. Manning had many ties to hold him
in Kansas City. having greater part OF
his capital invested in property In that
city, but he has been stanch friend of
the American League from Its inception.
and he decided to do as we wanted.
II consider Washington one Of the best
base ball cities in the country, and Mr..
Manning one of the cleverest managers in
the business. We had to have a strong
man here to represent U.S. and after a con-
ference with my associates we decided that
Mr.. Manning was the man. He has a
pleasing personality: Is strong with the
players. the press of the country. and /
am sure will quickly win the Washington
patrons of the game to his side.
'T see by the Washington papers that
have been sent me that there may be OBJ
jeetions to our building the stands on the
grounds that have been selected on Capitol
street on account of being inside the fire
limits. There need be no worry on that
score as we have Investigated the matter
and find that steel structure will cost
very little more. OF course, we would
sooner put up wooden stands, as they are
equally serviceable, but should the OBJ
1ections be insisted upon We will erect
structure of steel.
1--WE will probably incorporate the WASH
ington club tomorrow or may wait few
days so as to give local capital time to
come forward if 1t desires.
Let me repeat once more that we are not
looking for war with the National League.
We believe we have a right to run base
ball clubs in any city we select without
getting permission from the NationoI