Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-03
Ban Johnson's Broad and Liberal
Views on the National Game,
FARMING AND ROWDYISM MUST GO
Dan Stuart Plans a Big Fight at
Carson City.
PORTS IN G EN- r A L

President Ban b. johnson stated yester
day IN Chicago that he would not call the
meeting of the American League before
the middle of January. The meeting will
be held in Chicago instead of Philadelphia
as planned.
Nothing was done yesterday at Chicago
regarding the permanent organization of
the Western Base Ball Association. A
temporary organization was formed last
week. with the understanding that a con-
ference would be held in that city yester-
day to launch the new league. None of
the promoters appeared except George
Burnham of Detroit who was appointed
temporary president and James Manning
of Kansas City.
The meeting was postponed until such
time full attendance of the prospect
i've owners can be secured. Mr.. Burnham
returned to Detroit last night with Presi-
dent Johnson of the American League to
look over the situation there and help to
decide on the advsability of placing a sec
ond team In that city. The American
League will have the same team there
which represented the league last season,
and if the outlook is propitious the West
ern Association will also locate a club
there.
Ban JOhnsOns Statement.
Before leaving Chicago for Detroit Presi-
ueHl Dan JOIlIiSOH gave out the IOllOWlnS
signed statement: Those who control the
affairs Of the national game can gather
but little comfort from the results of the
season Of 1900. The men of the National
League fostered great expectations aud
were sorely disappointed. The leaders in
the present organization conceived the idea
that the chief thing necessary to rehabli-
tate the game was to reduce the circuit of
twelve clubs to eight. Many thousands
of dollars were spent to accomplish this
end, and still the National League did not
flourish.
Broad and liberal reforms are necessary
before the game can be restored to the
great popularity it once enjoyed in the
larger cities controlled by the National
League. The magnate should be relegated
closer touch with the player. An unsuc-
cessful season in the National League has
cast blight over base ball throughout the
country. Last year, however, was an ex
ception to the rule. The American League
prospered and waxed- strong. Lack of pat
ronagc among Thea clubs of the National
must be attributed, to Its internal condi
tons and the MANNER IN which its affairs
are two evils that tnustsb be eliminated from
the game. This the American League, by
the employment Of severe measures has
thoroughly wiped out.
I'm the space allotted to this review it
would be an mressbility to touch upon
many of the salient features of the past
season. It is sufticent-to say, however,
that the game improved last year in many
ways. In the American League the public
learned to appreciate snappy ball playing.
and this part of the game was encouraged
in every WAYNE will try to keep pace
with the requirements in this department.
Among the chief developments of the
year perhaps the most important was the
branching out Of The American League.
For the first time since the American Asso-
citation days one of the National League
cities. so called. had a. rival. The expert
ment proved successful. Charles COmis-
key located in Chicago, and the patronage
of both clubs was certainly splendid
commentary on what hold base ball has
on the people With more settled condi-
tons there is no reason why two clubs in
those cities that are capable of supporting
more than one would not in the end prove
most beneficial to the game. 1t will Gre
ale a healthful rivalry, without which
base ball cannot thrive. Two leagues of
equal Importance will put tone to the
game that could not otherwise be at
tanned.
with the beginning of the coming season
it Is to be hoped that base ball all around
will receive an impetus in the right direc-
ton. Some things transplred during the
last year which cast discredit on the game,
but 1 consider those evils of only tempo
rary character. There has been perhaps
more pickering than has been good for the
game.
1.-THE formation of the players union ex-
cited mucn interest, ana may De Iar reacn-
Ing and helpful to the game Some of their
demands are just. The farming OF play
ers should be abolished. 1t is proper that
the player should always be consulted if he
is to be traded or his services disposed of.
If the demands of the players are tempered
with reason and justice all base ball organi-
cations will be in duty bound to give them
full considerable
-..e best commentary on how base ball
prospered during the last season is de-
rived from the multiplicity of leagues and
clubs. North and south every section has
it's league. There are clubs in every city,
town and village. Almost every youth plays
the game, and when sport has taken such
q hold the nation 1t must be regarded
with more than a passing interest. The lat
ter more than exemplified the claim that 1t
is truly a national game, and long may it
live! BAN B. Johnson