Evening star., 1901-02-18
President Ban johnson Enthusiastic
Over American League.
MAKING A TOUR Or EASTERN CITIES
Expects No Trouble With Players
Over Present Contracts.
GENERAL SPORTING NEWS

With the question of grounds Off his mind,
Manager Jimmy Manning left Washington
Saturday on a still hunt for players. His
destination was not given out, but from this
mornings Philadelphia papers it is learned
that he spent yesterday in that city and
was In close consultation with kid" Glea-
son. the well-known second baseman of last
years New York team. If Jimmy can land
a couple players Of the caliber of Gleason
the local fans will be perfectly satisfied
Manning left Philadelphia last night, hut
his destination was not known, although he
told the Quaker city reporters that he was
coming to this city. As he had not shown
up around his headquarters on Pennsyl-
vania avenue up to noon, it is more than
likely that he continued on his tour for
players. @1 = a.=.-
Contractor Maurice Tally has been given
the contract for grading the grounds Of
the Washington Brick Company, which Is
to be the home of the local American
League Club, and today he had several
hands at work clearing away obstructive
debris, and will probably start in tomor-
row with horses and carts hauling dirt to
fill up the big hole in left field. Plans for
the stands have not been agreed upon as
yet but these details will be fixed up before
the end Of the week, and Contractor Dunn,
who will more than likely get the contract
for this work, may start next week. Mr..
Dunn has the reputation of being great
hustler, and it is more than likely that he
will have the grounds in a finished condi-
ton inside Of thirty days. Mr.. Dunn fitted
out old National Park, and thoroughly un-
derstands what Is needed at base ball
park and how to put things in shape in the
quickest possible time.
President johnson Is Pleased.
President Ban johnson of the American
League stopped over in Washington yester-
day for a few hours. Mr.. johnson Is MAX
ing a tour of the eastern cities of his cir
cult, and finding Mr.. Manning away. con-
tinued on to Baltimore last night In
conversation with the sporting editor of
The Star yesterday afternoon Mr.. Johnson
said
Everything connected with the American
League is lovely and you would be surprised
to see how much enthusiasm there Is over
the teams Of the league in the different
cities where they are located. Not only in
those cities the people with us. but in
all the others which I have visited lovers
of the sport have nothing but good wishes
to express.
Financially we are as sound as a dollar,
and the public is beginning to realize that
the sneers which have been cast upon our
backing are not worthy Of the slightest
credence and that we1are capable of hoeng
own with the beet of them.
Il was immensely pleased when I re-
ceived word that Mr.. Manning had finally
secured grounds in this city. We had de-
cided that the Malone lot, old circus
grounds. in this city was the best to be
had, and for this reason Mr.. Manning was
so persistent in trying to secure it as
home for his club. But in the face Of the
objections filed at the Commissioners Office
IT was thought best to go to the suburbs
with the park.
Manning to BE n Permanent Fixture.
when club builds park near the center
of city there are continuous objections
filed each year upon one thing or Another,
and Mr.. Manning is to be a permanent
fixture in Washington he will overcome
great many hurdles by locating in a place
where few. IL any, protests will be forth
coming. I am sure that the few additional
minutes required to reach the park
will not act as an obstacle to those inter-
ested in base ball in this city. The car
service will be first class and the grounds
should be reached from any part of the
city in twenty-five minutes.
'As 10 Mr.. Manning's team I have little
to say. He has the reputation of being
first-class manager, and already has enough
ball players under contract to place first
class team on the field. Who he is after on
his present trip l not at liberty to say,
but Mr.. Manning generally lands the play
ers he wants and goes after.
mo one Is paying any attention to the
American Associatio in the west. If it Is
mentioned at all it is only to be ridiculed.
for 1t is considered great big bluff, which
will never materialize, and even II it does
We hold our own all right
Relations With National League.
II have been criticised for not going to
the New York meeting of the National
League, but there was no reason why
should take such a step. The National
League knew what we wanted and how to
reach us, but 1t never paid any attention to
US, for at that time it did not realize the
seriousness Of our movement. and was
somewhat puffed up. | sent verbal mes
sage to the meeting by Mr.. Hart OF the
Chicago club, saying that we had deter
mined to become a major league. and de-
manded equal rights with the National.
IF this was recognized / said that we
would recognize National League contracts
and its claims under the reserve rule. This
message or mine was not acknowledged,
but I knew from interviews given out by
Col. Rogers of the Philadelphia club and
others that it had been received.
Il see that Mr.. Hanlon says that in case
of war there would be much confusion
caused by men jumping from the National
to the American League, and vice versa.
In reply to that l will say that we will not
want any men who are not willing to be-
have themselves and submit to proper dis
cipline, nor do we want men who have SO
little regard for their word that they will
jump contracts.
Every Team Practically Secured.
"a contract jumper Is not a desirable
player, and we do not need such. As re-
CARDS players. the makeup of every team
in our league Is practically decided upon.
but / can say nothing about the signing Of
contracts. We do not anticipate any trou-
BILE with the Players Protective Associa-
ton, and have not heard from it for some
time. -S->'
"Our contract forsgrading the Boston
grounds and erecting the steel work Of the
stands has been let; we have also ordered
the chairs. In Philadelphia we are pro-
crossing finely; in Baltimore It Is the same,
and you know the Situation here.
IF possible, the west Is even hotter than
est fear that our teams will not make a
hi. there with both press and public, for
the hit has already been made"
ASSURED OF PLAYERs.
President Brush Relieves the Minds
of Watkins and Power,