Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-01-28

ing Of the American League meeting
to perfect its organization for the COM
ing base ball season, to formally COM
plete the signing of the ten year agree
ment and to turn over in trust to
President Johnson the ground leases
and fifty-one per cent of the stock of
the eight clubs in the league, the
American League magnates made a
public statement tonight. 1T deals
with the causes and conditions which
lead to the present strained relations
between the American League and the
National League.
President Ban Johnson stated to-
night that he had written Nick Young,
OF the National League, telling him
why the American League must ask
notifications in the national agree
ment, 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 National League meeting in De-
cenaber 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, hst that
the National League had absolutely
refused to consider any proposition
for friendly conference.
The following is copy Of the letter
sent by Ban Johnson to Nick Young
on October 31st, when President Young
telegraphed for the annual payment
for protection under the national
agreement
Your telegram was received. I wiz
ed in reply that l should write you
concerning the matter. The plan of the
American League to occupy eastern
territory has been we'll defined, and
think the men of the National League
thoroughly understand our position in
the matter.
"For two years we have been men
aced by the possible formation of a
league hostile to our interests and a
detriment in many ways to organized
base ball This annual agitation is
hurtful and we purpose to so shape
our organization as to checkmate it in
the future.
''In extending our circuit to the far
east it is unreasonable to assume we
could continue along the old lines pre-
scribed by the national agreement.
New CONF itions must alter in part our
relations with the National League.
This is a matter l have discussed in
formally with some Of your members.
sit was suggested by Mr.. Hart that
committee from the American
League relative to the purchase of the
base ball plants at Washington anG
Baltimore. Other matters can be con-
sidered and adjusted at that meeting
The club members Of the American
League are unalterably opposed to a
continuation of the drafting system
We cannot renew our obligations IN
der the present agreement. Should
complications arise they will be OF
National League making. If fairness
and common sense prevail there can
never be any friction between the Ma
tional and American League
Hugh Duffy, captain Of the Boston
National League club last season, ar
rived here Saturday night. He will
leave the National League team, replac-
ing Connie Mack, who is slated for the
managership at Philadelphia this sea
son The Cleveland, Milwaukee, Phil
adelphia, Washington and Baltimore
representatives arrived tonight max
ing a full complement except for Bos-
ton, represented by proxy, the names
of its hackers being withheld for the
present. In speaking of his switch tc
the American League, Manager Duffy
laid:
81 had my first interview with Mat
Killilea tonight, and l go to Mil.
waukee to manage a winning team il
possible. Mr.. Soden asserts that the
Boston club has an option on my ser
vices for this season. l just finished 6
two years contract at Boston. The
option Is the customary Nationa
League reservation clause and l re-
ceived no bonus except 5000 for cap
tanning the Boston team last season
/ consulted a lawyer and was told t
so ahead and better myself if posi-
BILE That / think | am doing Bos
ton is ripe for a second team and
predict success for the club there"
The full list of magnates who vii
be present at to-morrows meeting are
Chicago. Charles A. Comiskey.
Milwaukee, Matt Killilea, Hugh
Duffy.
Detroit, Jim Burns.
Cleveland, c. W. Somers, S. F. Kill