The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-16
SPORTING NEWS.
The National League Is Split
i'm Two Factions.
Four Clubs Are Still Out as Re-
suit of Fight.
SPALDING is FIRM.
DING is FIRM.
Appoints Committees From
Cities That Are Loyal.
Freedman, in Address, Says Pro-
ceedings Are Void.

New York, Dec. ia. c.. Spalding
presided at Saturdays meeting of the
National league. The New York, Bos-
ton, Cincinnati and St Louis clubs did
not participate. Mr. Spalding made a
short address, in which he said that he
intended to put baseball on the plane it
occupied some years ago and if neces-
Eary new clubs would be put in place of
those deserving the league.
quorum was obtained for the meet
ing by an old parliamentary ruling by
the new president Mr.. Freedman had
sent his secretary, F. Nj. Knowles, to
watch matters When the meeting was
called Mr.. Knowles approached the door
and peered in. Quick as a flash his name
was called There were four other clubs
represented, and Mr.. Spalding ruled
that New York be counted as present
thereby making a quorum. The mag
mates then proceeded to business.
The first order of business was the
election of a new board of directors
The election resulted in the choice of
Ebbets of Brooklyn, Soden of Boston,
Hart of Chicago and Dreyfuss of Pitts
burg.
The following board of arbitration was
then elected: Spalding, Young, Soden.
Kart, Rogers and Pulliam.
President Spalding appointed the fol-
Observation-Disclosures Hart, Brush.
National greement-Hart, Brush, and
Rogers.
Playing rules-Hart. Hanlon, Reach.
The league placed the matter of
playing schedule in the hands of Presi-
dent Spalding. with full power to act.
At the suggestion of Mr.. Spalding the
league unanimously decided to invite
press representatives to all future meet
fngs of the organization.
The meeting was adjourned subject to
the call of the chair.
Andrew Freedman issued a statement
late in the afternoon in which he at
tackled President Spalding, going over
much of the ground which he covered
previously. Freedman said that the
meetings of the four clubs on Friday
night and Saturday were both farcical
and illegal. He charges Spalding with
returning to the game the better to
month Spalding tried to form a baseball
trust" He winds UP by saying:
No act or action of Mr.. Spa1ding's
private league will be binding and when
the proper time comes and when other
clubs feel they care to participate such
action will be taken that will remove
from Mr.. Spaldings mind any question
of the four standing clubs. who were
not considered eligible to vote on a
proposition in which they were vitality
Interested"
During the day Mr.. spalding made
pubic some correspondence between
John T. Brush and himself which
Spalding AYERS shows that Brush tried
to disrupt the American league the al
4eSeu Scnene DelnS 10 Duy out the Bal
timore and Detroit clubs in the middle
of the season, in the hope of throwing
the American league into a panic Mr..
Spalding advised against ii.
The platform which President Spald-
ing announces as having been adopted
at today's meetings follows:
ITO promote foster. elevate and per-
petrete the game of baseball
ITO eliminate all Objectionable fea-
lures that may tend to degrade and de-
moral1ze the sport
ITO inculcate in the governors of the
game, club officials unpires, players
and every one interested in or con-
nected with this national sport a reali-
zation of what true sportsmanship is
and to subordinate the financial side of
the game.
To cultivate among the players n
desire for the highest athletic develop
ment that they may by their skillful-
ness, integrity and gentlemanly depoft-
ment, both on and off the field raise
their profession to a high plane and
add luster and interest to the national
game.
ITO establish a central governing
body in which all professional baseball
interests shall be properly represented
This body to be clothed with ample
power to carry into effect these and 9th
er objects that tend to maintain the in
tesrity and high standard of the
game "