Evening star., 1901-03-19
WATCH BAN JOHNSON
Base Ball Enthusiasts Interested in
Philadelphia Meeting.
IMPORTANT NEWS EXPECTED
American League VIII Announce
Its List OF Players.
RUMORS REGARDING THEM

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. March 19.-Mat-
ters are strangely quiet on the eve of such
an important meeting as is expected when
the American League magnates join In
conference here tomorrow. The followers
of the national game have been kept on
the edge of suspense ever since Ban John
son and his cohorts launched the expan-
sion boom into the camp of the all-power-
full National League owners. Reports Of
various character. relative to the signing,
blacklisting and jumping Of players, have
been rife and as the situation now stands
there is no telling just what to expect.
1t is foi this reason that so much i'm
portance is put upon the meeting tomor-
row. President Johnson announces that
he will make public the complete list of
the players secured by the various clubs
composing the American League, and, as
he has promised many surprises to the
public. the list is awaited with great In
tereSt.
Many reports of prominent National
League players having signed have been
denied and until the official list is an
nounced there is much doubt in this direc-
tion. The latest denial comes from Jimmy
Slagle. who was said to have jumped his
Philadelphia National League contract to
cast his lot with Manager Jimmy Man.
ning's Washington team. Slagle now comes
out with statement saying he has not
jumped and has not yet decided where he
will play. Slagle Is very popular In wash
ington and would be a feature on Man
ning's team while he could be spared by
the PhiIlies. as Delehanty Will likely take
his old position in left field to make room
for new player to be signed probably
'Hughey" Jennings of last seasons Brook
lyn team.
Only Connie Mack Present.
Manager Connie Mack of Philadelphia
was the only one to be found around the
American League headquarters this morn
ing and he is busy perfecting arrangements
for the opening of the meeting tomorrow.
President Johnson Vice President c. w.
Somers and Manager Manning are expected
in tonight. while the balance of the contin-
gent will be on hand early In the morning.
Very little time will be lost in getting
down to work. and the matter of adopting
a schedule will be the first business to set
tie. This will also lie an important subject,
as the matter of conflicting dates Is to be
considered. President Johnson seems will
ing to make matters as easy as possible for
both teams. while he will not go out of his
way to favor the National League in the
way of avoiding conflicting dates
So far as Philadelphia Is concerned. Col.
Rogers declares he is ready to try conclu-
sions with the American League teams,
and says he is not afraid of the results
The principal factor In this question Is
the relative strength of the rival teams
If the Phillies can hold the star players of
It's team the American League will have to
make up strong attraction to get patron
age away from the big league. With two
or three stars. the American League could
demand right for favor In the public
eye. and with a reduction in the price of
admission would cut quite figure IN the
gate receipt line. These matters will all be
settled tomorrow. and the public can then
settle down to wait for the battle on the
diamonds to begin.