Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-10
H0STILITEBS BEGUN
Brooklyn Magnate Says the American
League Has Started the Fight
MAINTAINS SOMEBODY Is BLUPFING
Johnson's Organization Has Been
Placed on a War Footing.
SPORTS IN GEN RAL

The first indication that base bail war
through Charley Ebbetts, president of the
Brooklyn Club. who is in Chicago as a dele
gate to the Bowlers' League convention,
now in session in that city. Heretofore the
National League magnates have been very
backward about talking of war and in fact
upon almost any subject relative to the
present complicated situation. In speaking
to a reporter in Chicago yesterday Mr.. Eb-
belts said:
'War virtually If not actually, has been
declared by the American League headed
by President Ban johnson, against the
National League. The occupation by Ban
Johnson's forces of Philadelphia, Washing
ton and Baltimore is in violation of treaty,
and if persisted in will lead to fight. The
pending conflict between the National and
the American Leagues can hardly be class
ed a fight as l do not believe Johnson's
organization is vested with the proper
strength for bout A strong and danger
Gus game of bluff Is being played by the
American League, and the sooner it is
called the better it will be for the sport"
Whether President Johnson and the
American League are "bluffing'' or not, the
following special from Chicago would indi-
cate that the National Leagues opponents
are playing pretty Stiff game and shap-
Ing up tnelr affairs In a DuSlneSS-llk6 way.
The special says:
Bound by an ironclad agreement of al
lance the seven base ball clubs assured of
places in the American League circuit have
turned over to President Ban Johnson, to
be held in trust. 81 per cent Of their CAPT.
tai stock. With this deposit comes the
ground leases and options on the clubs
entire base ball property at a stated price
in the event of a desire to sell. President
Johnson returned from Cleveland and De-
troit today with this information.
The move is a precautionary measure to
put the league on war footing and as
sures each member that 1t will be fully pro-
tected and in no danger of desertion by
the other clubs in the event of base bail
crisis
THE clubs which have entered into this
agreement are Chicago. Milwaukee, Detroit
Cleveland Philadelphia Washington and
Baltimore. Either Boston, Buffalo or In
dianapolis the eighth will be asked to
accept the same terms when the circuit is
definitely decided upon
President JOhnsOn's Statement.
When seen by reporter in Chicago last
night President johnson gave out the fol-
| lowing interview:
Il haven't called a meeting of the league
yet, but 1t is likely that we will have it in
Philadelphia at an early date. There Is
very little news at present and the Boston
situation is still unsettled and will remain
| so until after our meeting, l think.
| "As to players for these new clubs.
| don't think there will be any trouble to get
| enough men. Manning already has his
! team at Washington, and if there is a mix
| up between the American and National
! leagues there will be any quantity of good
men,"
The Western League 'magnates, headed
! by President Hickey, are not losing any
time about shaping up their organization
| for the coming season, as. indicated in the
| following special from St. Joseph. Mo-:
Represent from Minneapolis, Sioux
| City, Denver, Omaha Des Moines. Kansas
! City and ST. Joseph are attending secret
session of the Western Base Ball League
| here this afternoon. Before going into eX-
| ecutive session President Hickey refused
| to give out any information. except that
| the circuit would be completed today and
| that indianapolis and Louisville would not
| be in it, majority of the representatives.
| said it will probably include Kansas City.
| St. Joseph, Omaha, Denver. Des Moines,
| Sioux City, ST. Paul and Minneapolis. A
| committee will be named to prepare the
| schedule of games for the season. COM
mencng about May 1.