The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15
President spaIdinE's Platform Adopt
ed and Correspondence Win MT
Brush Made Public.
VICTORY FOR MIR. TEBEAU
WHITFIELD AND MANNING OUTWIT-
TED AT KANSAS CITY.
baseball Park Secured by the Amert-
o.n As.ociation-TaIk with MIR.
Watkins-Team Signed.

NEW YORK, Dec. IA G. Spalding
presided at to-day's meeting Of the Ma
tional League. The New York, Boston,
Cincinnati or ST. Louis clubs did not par
ticipate Mr. Spalding made a short ad-
dress, in which he said that he intended 10
put baseball on the plane il occupied some
years ago. and. if necessary, new CLUBS
would be put in place Of those deserving the
League.
A quorum was obtained for to-days meet
ing by an odd parliamentary ruling by the
new president. Mr.. Freedman mad sent MS
secretary, Mr. Knowles, 10 watch matters.
When the meeting was called Mr. knowles
appeared at the door and peered in quick
as a fash his name was called There We're
four other clubs represented and Mr. Spald-
ing ruled that New York be counted as
present, thereby making a quorum The
magnates then proceeded to business.
The first order Of business was the cleo
ton OF a new board of directors. The cleo
ton resulted in the choice OF -Ebbets' OF
Brooklyn; Soden. of Boston; Hart, of Chi
cago and Dreyfuss. OF Pittsburg.
The following board Of arbitration was
then elected: Spalding. Young, Soden' Hart
Rogers and Pulliam.
President Spalding appointed the follow
ing committees: Constitution, Rogers, Hart,
Brush; national agreement, Hart, Brush
and Rogers; playing rules, Hart, Hanlon,
Reach.
The League placed the matter of a playing
schedule in the hands of President Spald-
ing with full power to act. At the su6-
gestion of Mr.. Spalding the League unani-
mously decided 10 invite press representa-
tives to all future meetings of the organ
iZatiOn. The meeting was adjourned SUB
ject to the call OF the chair.
Andrew Freedman issued statement to-
night. in which he attacked Presldent
Spalding. going over much of the ground
which he covered yesterday. Freedman
said that the meetings Of the four clubs on
Friday night and to-day were both farclcal
turning TO the game the better TO sell base
balls and asserts that early this month
Spalding tried TO form baseball trust
He winds up by saying: No act or action
of Mr.. Spaldings 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 standing Of the four clubs
who were not considered eligible To vote on
a proposition in which they were vitality IN
terested."
During the day Mr. Spalding made public
some correspondence between John II.
Brush and himself which. Mr.. Spalding
AYERS, shows that Mr.. Brush tried TO dis
rupt the American League, the alleged
SCneHe DelnB 10 Dug out llit Ddlllluolt anu
Detroit clubs in the middle of the season,
in the hope of throwing the American
League into a panic. Mr.. Spalding advised
against 1T.
The platform which President Spalding
announces as having been adopted at to-
days meeting follows:
ITO promote, foster, elevate and perpet-
uate the game of baseball
ITO eliminate all Objectionable features
that may tend to degrade and demoralize
the sport.
ITO inculcate in the governors of the
game, club officials umpires, players and
every one interested I'm or connected with
this national sport a realization Of what
true sportsmanship is, and thus 10 subOrdi-
nate the financial side of the game.
ITO cultivate among the players a desire
for the highest athletic development that
they may, by their skillfuiness, integrity
and gentlemanly department, both on and
off the field, raise their profession TO a high
| plane and add luster and interest to the
tional game.
ITO establish a central governing body in
which all professional baseball interests
shall be properly represented. This body 10
| be clothed with ample power to carry into
| effect these and other objects that tend 10
maintain the integrity and high standard OF
| the game"