Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-21
BASE BALL MEN AGREE
American Association Formed on Lines
Of Old Organization.
WASHINGTON END Is ALL RIGHT
Manager Bryan Confident That
Local Club VIII Be a Success.
S P ORTS IN GEN Err A l.

> L y Is L > N II II N II II A Il
The club owners of the National Base
Ball League and the new American Asso-
citation were In session Saturday at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel and the Marlborough,
New York, and most of them left for their
respective homes the same night. The
special committee from the new organiza-
ton met the National League men at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel, and it was announced
that all of the preliminary arrangements
had been completed. The new organization
will receive the protection of the National
agreement, and will work in harmony with
the Eastern and National leagues.
Opposed to this combination will be the
American League, controlled by Ban"
Johnson. The Players Protective Associa-
ton is doing nothing. but the general opin-
Ion was that most Of the players wanted by
the league for this year would be signed
in good season for the opening Of the PEN
nant race.
The American Association will be placed
in a class by itself by the National League.
1t Is the idea of the club owners to have
the new association take It's old position,
the one it occupied before the National
League wiped 1t out many years ago. No
salary limit has been agreed upon at yet,
nor has 1t been decided what price the
American Association will pay for its pro-
lection.
Circuit and Organization.
The circuit is announced as completed,
and is as follows: Milwaukee, Louisville.
Detroit and Indianapolis In the west, and
Boston, Philadelphia, Washington and Bal
timore in the east. The western clubs may
have hard time Of 1t. The club owners
say that the yarns about the new club own
ers being compelled to saddle any of the
debts of the National League in Baltimore,
Washington and Louisville are all nonsense.
W. H. Watkins of Indianapolis has been
elected president, secretary and treasurer
of the association.
Delegate. Satisfied.
At the conclusion of Saturdays session
w. II. Watkins Of Indianapolis said: I'VE
are leaving New York entirely satisfied
with the success we have met. We have
arranged our circuit, effected a permanent
organization and received the protection OF
the National League. A few minor details
are all that remain to be completed. Com
mtttees have been appointed to look arter
these. The new association Is placed In a
class similar to the one occupied by the
old American Association.
1.-THE protection granted us In the priv
ilege of drafting is ample. Under our agree
ment the best part of any OF our teams may
be retained by the club owners. AT least
five men-any five that may be picked-are
exempt from drafting. The league mas met
us fairly and granted nearly all we asked
for. Our organization is in the best shape
possible financially, and our teams Will be
ready for business when the gong SOUNDS
for the opening of the year. Our next meet
ing-the schedule meeting-will be held soon
after the regular schedule meeting OF the
league in one of the cities on our circuit.
AS to constitution, it conforms entirely
to the national agreement, except as to the
right of drafting. In form our players con-
tracts will be substantially the same as
those of the National League
Board of Directors.
Before adjourning a board Of directors OF
the new association was chosen. 1t consists
of Hayener Of Milwaukee, Koch of Detroit
Irwin of Boston and White of Washington.
It Is probable that the National League
teams will turn their surplus players over
to the American Association: "neh ann
new reserve rule goes into effect, on Aprii
there will be at least ninety league play
ers on the market. These, or the majority
of them will be turned over TO the AiietA-
can Association.
The Local Outlook.
Will G.. BRYAN, who will manage the
American Association club in this city, and
who was a delegate to the New York meet
ing. arrived in Washington this morning,
and was seen by an Evening Star reporter.
Mr.. BRYAN is enthusiastic over the outcome
of the New York meeting, and said:
1--WE went over to New York to meet me
National League committee In the nope thas
they would allow US about 20 per cen. -, VI
the requests we made. Instead they gave
us fully IS per cent, and there Will Ee
other additional concessions which Will ne
granted that will make the American Asso-
citation solid in every particular.
1.-The Philadelphia end of our association
does not look satisfactory to the outside
people but to us 1t Is all we ask. Inc de-
tails over there have not been hnaliy iAeu
he
for the Quaker city within the next week.
Mr. Rogers and Mr.. Niles mad an agree
ment in regard to the Philadelphia territory
that simply blocked the progress OF the
American Association, and to prevent
deadlock we resolved to agree TO the propo-
sition put forward by the National League.
Mr. Watkins Is still In Philadelpnla. ana an
understanding more satisfactory to us may
be arrived at at any moment. The chicago
situation is practically what l predicted
some weeks ago. The American Assocla-
Chicago, as three clubs in one city are not
a favorable proposition, but Mr.. Havener
was willing to face the issue there.
Here in Washington everything looks
| mand on US to take their old grounds. and
we probably will not use them We Will
| have new grounds here, and they VIII De
| of the best. / am about to close the lease
! for a favorable site, and before the week is
| out expect to have commenced work In mt
| ting them up into a ball park. We will have
| all the ball players we want, ana MANY OF
| them will be of first-claSs caliber. The
| American Association is in the field to stay,
and. with the National League backing,
cannot fall
The American League.
| President Ban Johnson of the American
League left Washington late Saturday af-
ternoon going to Baltimore, where he was
in consultation with McGraw and others
the same night. Yesterday he and McGraw
| journeyed over to Philadelphia, where
! long confab was held with Charles Somers
| OF Cleveland and Connie Mack, who now
claims the Quaker city as his home. Moth
| ing was given out for publication as to the
result of that conference.
| AS regards the American League in this
| city nothing can be said, as everything Is
| quiet Mr.. Manning Is simply awaiting or
| ders from Mr.. Johnson, but may close up
the local end at any time. He still retains
| his option on local grounds, but is await