The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-01-06
HAS TWO NEW LEAGUES To FIGHT.
Policy of the Masnates of the Nation
nj Toward Johnson's Organization.

AZ ~ ~ E&AALE
New York, Jan. For the first time
since the National League meeting in this
city affairs in the basebelI world are be-
ginning 10 assume a definite status. so far
as the rival organizations are concerned.
Inc National League has offered no direct
hostlllty 10 the American League. BY
adopting that course the larger organiza-
tOn. SIMPLY bears out the reputation gen.
orally accredited its members for shreWd
~uiplonacy- The American League assert
ed that II preferred TO go alone. and. not
haVlng applied for protection under The
national agreement. has been permitted to
Follow It's course without hindrance. That.
however. has not prevented the National
league from lending its support to other
organizations where aid Is welcome. espe-
claly to the National Association Thar
TINS policy Is now being put into effect, 50
Tar as possible. is shown by the various
consultations Of the National Association
promoters. and the further fact that the
american League is seeking TO wrest what
IL can from the National Association
BY granting 20 the Western league GER
taih territory to which the American
League had practically relinquished claim,
me major orsanization helped a lively COM
petitor to its feet to meet the American
League in the West. With the National
ASSOCIATION as an antagonist in the East,
Working under the provisions Of the ma
u0nal agreement. the American League
will be seriously handicapped.
IN boston, Charles River Park has been
leased, and a nine will be operated there
under the auspices Of the National AssO-
sLauon- In an Interview. President Soden Of
I1e NATIONAL League Club. who is one VI
the most conservative and able baseball
men in the United States. said. in effect,
that when johnson OF the American League
came East 20 Invade National League terri
tory he made the remark that he desired
to go II alone without the National
League He has reiterated that statement
so often that his National League friends
dnally have become incensed.
NOW" said Mr.. Solder. "the fight is be-
tv Teen the Sati1nal Association and the
American League. Let them have II all to
themselves. We can AFFORD to sit down and
look on"
The National Association circuit will in
clrde CEicazO. St Louis. Philadelphia. BOs-
ton. Washington. Providence. Detroit and
Milwaukee. Dates will be so arranged that
there will be no conflict with National
LD2gue cluDs. but as much care will not be
taken with American League clubs. The
National Association promoters insist that
they are agreeable to this. so long as the
National League will agree TO protect their
contracts AID not declare war.
Arthur Irwin. a ~weli-known baseball man.
former IA er OF the New York nine. VIII
has leased Charles River PARK. in Boston.
and will cooperate with the National As
ISOLATION. admits that the American League
has been making overturss to him., and that
an effort was made to get the park over his
head. but says ne has Il securely for five
years. and that he will not join Mr.. Johnson
nor the American League. IL Is a pretty
game of baseball politics thus far. and the
National League seems to have played its
hand with much shrewdness.