Waterbury Democrat., 1901-12-18

CT. These are the only aVdlIaDle SlueS on Manhattan Island, except, of course, the Polo grounds and NIanhat- tan field.
 If the new club does not locate at either of these places it can be put down as certain that the new grounds will be north of the Harlem river on the line of the Third avenue elevated road. which now runs through trains from the city hall to Fordham without change The American league men argue that if they have crack team here in twelve club circuit, including all of the big cities represented by the best ball playing talent in America, the New York public will give liberal patronage, no matter where the grounds are located.
 The Spalding reorganization plan, the foundation of which was laid last summer, becomes plainer every day That the American league has been in | the play from the start there seems to be little doubt. A three days confer ence between Spalding and Ban John son at Atlantic City last August was of vital importance. as the facts come l to light It was then that the crusade against Freedmanism was begun. Since then there have been several moves that have evidently been made | with an object Tn American league decided to put club in St Louis, and accomplished it by dropping Milwau- kee, and also by taking Burkett. Heidi rick, Wallace, Padaen, Powell and Harper from Robison's St Louis Ma tional league club. This left Robison in a predicament, and with the organ iZation of twelve club circuit under the protection of new national agree ment he will be even deeper i'll the mire Another move of significance was the raid on the New Yorks, where by George Davis, Selbach, Hickman and Warner were induced to sign American league contracts. This was q severe blow to the New Yorks, inas- much as these were the four best players on the team, which, in view of it's, showing last season, was not par ticularly strong.
 That Ban Johnson will be the presi- dent of this new organization there seems to be little doubt. Spalding, when the proper time arrives, will step out of the limelight, having accom- plished his purpose-the reorganiza- tion of the game and the elimination of Freedmanism It is said even now that Spalding's recent play was done merely to show the public why this game of freeze-out was necessary; that his election as president of the Nation al league, whether legal or illegal, gave to him the authority to declare Freedman. Soden, Robison and Brush out of the game and to show the mo- tives for such radical measures. With that accomplished the public would be ready to accept new combination, with the objectionable features of the game left out.
 It would be outside the pale of or ganized or protected baseball, which would mean that players under the na- tional agreement could not sign with any of the Freedman clubs and no na- tional agreement teams would be all lowed to play against the so-called outlaws" There would be nothing to prevent Freedman and his friends from organizing q league of their own, increased to eight clubs in member ship. but under the circumstances this might prove to be a costly undertak- ing. So it can be seen that the Spald- ing reorganization plan. whether en- gineered by him as president of the na- tional league or not, will come pretty near accomplishing the object in view. and 1t will not be long before the final and complete details of the scheme will be made public. Spalding, when asked about the court proceedings instituted against him, said yesterday:
 It is quite true that as was leaving the hotel about o'clock last evening package of papers was handed to me. and from the size of the package and the rapidity with which the mes senger left me I assumed they were some legal documents. Without read ing them l handed them to my attor- ney, MT Riddle of Redding, Riddle & Greeley, who was present. and asked him to look them over and advise me what 1t was all about. After reading the papers Mir Riddle advised me that these proceedings arose on an order to show cause, returnable on Thursday of this week, why an injunction should not issue, pending the determination of suit brought to ascertain whether | am legally elected president of the Ma tional league, and in the meantime and until the hearing of the order to show cause, that am restrained from acting as president. I, of course must and will respect this order. and NOhoCqotioS VIII dndlL tue litigation.
 My attorney tells me that while the injunction continues I must not sign my name as president-secretary treas urer of the National league and Amer ican Association of Professional Base ball Clubs. or conduct any business of the National league, all of which will be complied with.
 1 was notified by a committee early Saturday morning that had been unanimously elected president of .he National league and American Associa- tion of Professional Baseball Clubs. whereupon in pursuance of this noti- fication l entered upon the perform ance of my duties; by the present suit 1 am restrained from the further Der formance of my duties as president and the matter is now before the courts for decision as to whether am legally president or not. As I stated to the press last evening. would have noth- ing further to say for the present on the baseball political situation and of course have no opinion to express on the legal aspects of the case.
 Freedman said yesterday that he was absolutely confident that Justice Scott would rule In his favor.