Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-30
IN FAv OR OF PEACE
PRESIDENT JOHNSON SAYS THE
GAME IS NOW FLOURIsHING.
American League Leader Tells How
Peace Plans Were Blocked
Last Summer.

Ban B. Johnson, president of the Ameri-
can League, at his Thanksgiving turkey
/ in Cincinnati An interview in the Cincin-
| natl Enquirer says that Mr.. johnson most
emphatically denied the interview sent out
from Chicago in which he was made to
say that the American League would wipe
out the National.
81 never uttered that" said he. II have
always said that this country was large
enough for two major leagues. and that
| base ball can only prosper under such con-
ditfons. We are not trying to wipe out the
| National League, though we are fighting it.
We want the National League to exist, be-
cause just as soon as one organization
monopolizes base ball the game Will lose
| favor and be buried again, as 1t was be-
| fore the American League came into the
| field. So long as this war is on We will
| fight but it Is not war of determination.
We are fighting for our rights, and when
| they are recognized the war will be over.
National Declared War.
at was the National League which de-
clared war, not the American. Just ope
year ago President Hart Of the Chicago
club went before the National League
meeting in New York and submitted q prop
osition from the American League. 1t was
that the American League desired to take
Washington and Baltimore off the Ma
tional Leagues hands If we were allowed
to place club in Philadelphia. We fur
thermore proposed to pay the National
League for its surplus players. That prop
osition was rejected. l was at the Lafay-
cite Hotel waiting to be called into the Ma
tional League meeting and arrange mat
tiers. I was given to understand that 1
80 <t,o-4 do cdoxr hut hof
I would not be sent for. Then the Ma
tional League made the first warlike move.
The Boston club tried to sign Dick Padden.
Harry Pulliam at once struck out for Pad
denis home and signed him to st. Louis
contract That was the first player grabbed
and he was grabbed by the National
League. We of course did not stand still.
We placed club in Boston, we signed Ma
tional League players, we went in Philadel-
phia. and will next year have a club in st.
Louis That is how this war became a
reality.
Robson the Real Pirate.
Robson of the st. Louis club terms
us pirates and bandits, yet there is not
fiercer pirate the seas than Robson.
Did he not deliberately take the st. Louis
club from Chris Won der Abe without
paying him single copper? He now
cites how poorly Manning was treated by
the American League. Only few years
ago Robson Brush and few others tried
to take the Kansas City club away from
Manning. In fact, they tried to take the
entire Western League, without paying
cent. The American League has taken
nothing from Manning or any one else.
Manning got $4,000 when he pulled out of
Washington. Burns and Stailings were
paid $4,000 when they pulled out Of De-
troit. We did not resort to the methods
used by the National League when Chris
Won der Abe was ousted. We warned
Robson last June that, unless he got into
the peace movement which was then
foot we would place club in st. Louis,
and we will"
What was the peace movement you re-
fer top was asked.
ut was started by a man who Is IN
terested in the National League. I cam
not give you his name because that was
agreed upon to be kept secret. / was
sent for and went to Atlantic City. There
the plan was laid bare to me. Brush and
Freedman baked, because they feared
the man who was trying to patch up the
differences which still exist. Robson, too,
was against 1t. We have signed six Of
his players. He says that Wallace will
stay with him. but Wallace has signed with
and taken our advance money. We are
puaying these players salaries way out of
Robisons reach
HAS Roscoe Miller signed with DetroitT'
was asked.
Eyes. he was the first man to sign with
that club. and his contract was turned over
to Mr.. Angus and his associates.
Dwyer Wants Harley.
ST see that Dick Harley threatens to
jump. I know nothing about Harley or his
plans. If he has signed a two-year con-
tract, he cannot come to the American
League. for we will not allow a player to
break contract. We do not recognize the
option clause because it has been held lille
gal by the courts. If Harley is wanted by
an American League club, it must be De-
troit. All the other clubs have plenty of
outfielders. Frank Dwyer was looking for
an outfielder when l last heard from him,
and it is likely he who is after Harley"
In speaking of the coming meeting of the
American League, Mr.. Johnson said:
There are some important matters to be
considered, but the meeting will hardly last
more than two days. The st. Louis club
will be represented by myself. We are not
ready to place the owners of that club be-
fore the public. That will come in due
time. There is being great deal said
about the Milwaukee club. 1 am pictured
as the man responsible for the Brewers be-
ing moved. But that does not matter. Time