The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-28
THE IRREPRESSIBLE BAN
ANOTHER STATEMENT BY THE
AMERICAN LEAGUE MAGNATE.
He Tells His Troubles to the Public
Instead of n Polfceman-Hugh
Duffy Also Is Talking.

CHICAGO, Jan. N.-On the eve Of the
American League meeting to perfect it's
organization for the coming baseball sea-
son. to formally complete the signing OF
the ten-year agreement and to turn over in
trust to President Johnson the ground
leases and 81 per cent of the stock of the
eight clubs in the League. the American
League magnates made public statement
tonight. 1t deals with the causes and
conditions which led to the present
strained relations between the American
League and the National League.
President Ban Johnson stated tonight
that he had written Nick Young, OF the
National League, telling him why the
American League must ask notifications in
the national agreement, and gave out
letter sent to the latter enumerating these
reasons. He stated that President Hart,
of the Chicago club. had agreed to present
the arguments of the American League at
the new League meeting in December. AT
first it was thought Mr.. Hart had not done
So Mr.. Johnson asserted that later he
found that Mr.. Hart had kept his promise,
but the National League had absolutely
refused to consider any proposition for a
friendly conference.
Following is a copy of the letter sent by
Johnson to Young on Oct 81, when Presi-
dent Young telegraphed for the annual
payment for protection under the National
agreement:
Your telegram was received. 1 wired in
reply that 1 should write you concerning
the matter. The plan of the American
League to occupy Eastern territory has
been well defined. and 1 think the men of
the National League thoroughly under
stand our position in the matter. For two
years We have been menaced by the pos
sible formation of league hostile to our
interests and detriment in many ways to
organized baseball. This annual agitation
is hurtful and we propose to so shape our
organization as to checkmate 1t in tn.
future.
I'm extending our circuit to the far East,
1t is unreasonable to assume we could con-
tinue along the old lines prescribed by the
national agreement New conditions must
alter, in part, our relations with the Ma
tional League. This is matter have dis
cussed informally with some of your men,
committee from the American League con-
fer with committee from the National
League relative to the purchase of base
ball plants at Washington and Baltimore.
justed at that meeting. The club members
of the American League are unalterably
opposed TO continuation Of the drafting
system. We cannot renew our obligations
under the present agreement. Should COM
plications arise, they will be of National
League making. LIZ fairness and common
sense prevail, there never can be any fric-
ton between the National and American
League"
Hugh Duffy captain of the Boston Ma
tional League club last season, arrived here
Saturday night. He will leave the Ma
tlonal League 10 assume the management
of the Milwaukee American League team
replacing Connie Mack who IL slated for
the manng ership at Philadelphia this sea-
son. The Cleveland, Milwaukee, Philadel-
pbia, Washington and Baltimore repre-
sentatives arrived tonight, making a full
complement except for Boston, represented
by proxy, the names of it's hackers being
withheld for the present.
In speaking OF his switch to the Amer
lean League, Manager Duffy said: 81 had
NY first interview with Matt Killiea to-
a winning team IL possible. Mr.. Soder
asserts that the Boston club has an option
on my services for this season / Just fin
ished two years contract at Boston The
option Is the customary National League
reservation clause. and received no bonus
except $500 for captaining the Boston team
last season 1 consulted a lawyer and was
told to go ahead and better myself if pos
sible. That, / think, / am doing Boston
Is ripe for a second team, and 1 predict
success for the club there"
The full list of magnates who will be
present at to-morrows meeting IS: Chit
cago, Charles A. Comiskey; Milwaukee,.
Matt Killilea and Hugh Duffy; Detroit
Jim Burns; Cleveland, c. w. Somers and
s. F. Kilfoyle; Philadelphia. Frank Hough
and Connie Mack; Washington. James H.
Manning; Baltimore. John J. McGraw, at
the head OF delegation CT six; Boston,
q presented bY rrOxE.