The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-08
PRESIDENT SPALDING WILL RUN
NATIONAL LEAGUE AFFAIRS
OPENLY
REVOLUTION IN PROGRESS
Trust scheme Pronounced So Dead
That 1t Cannot Possibly
Hope to Be ReSusci-
tated.


ed dated Jan. 2. In making these public
he says:
'.All nv baseball correspondents must
understand that I have publicly announc-
ed that secret meetings for the purpose
of organizing combines and shaping up
one sided baseball legislation must cease,
and as l consider personal and conf1den-
tial correspondence in this baseball bust
ness as the corner stone of this iniqu1-
tous past custom, must reserve the
right to ignore the request that any
baseball correspondence with me be treat
ed as confidential. A baseball revolution
is in progress, and tinlid ones who are
afraid Of shot and shell had better keep
of the firing line and get to the rear
Further along he writes:
'Of course you gentlemen all know
that this (the trusD is the real issue in
this controversy, four Clubs standing COM
mitted to this trust and four clubs I'M
alterably opposed to 1t. From the uni
versal condemnation OF this trust scheme
by the public press, baseball officials,
players and everybody connected with
the game, feel warranted in assuring
you that this trust scheme is hopeiess1Y
killed, beyond any possible chance OF a
resurrection, thus pI actically accomplish
ing one of the main objects which caused
me to enter into this fight.
Before introducing the replies to his
circular letter Mr.. Spalding says that in
addition to these replies he has received
letter from A. H. Soden which he will
not send out until he has his permissio on
to do so. Then come the replies. In brief,
c. H Ebbetts, of Brooklyn, writes:
Ebbetts Is Satisfied.
1 am heartily in accord with all that
you have done. Am confident that you
have been legally elected to the presi-
dency of the National league, and more
over think you are the only man on the
baseball horizon to clear the atmosphere
of the many difficulties that have sur
rounded us IN years past. l am with
you to the Very end of this sQuabble.
The letter of A. J. Reach, of Philadel-
phia, reads:
Your letter of I'd instant is read with
interest, particularly that portion in
which you speak OF Mr.. Talcott and in
getting him interested in the New York
club. VIII say the Philadelphia end of it
feels perfectly satisfied with the situa-
tiCn and with what you have done TO
date. L hope, however, that we will be
able TO break the deadlock with our Bos-
ton friends and thus bring our present
troubles to an end.
Barney Dreyfus, of Pittsburg, writes in
part:
1 beg to say that, individually, 1 have
but one aim so far as the National league
is concerned; that is, to have the present
state Of affairs cleared up at an early
date. In my humble opinion the league
viii stand muck higher with both public
and press if We speedily find some way
to end present conditions one way or an
other.
James A. Hart, Of Chicago, in his letter
uses these words:
L believe that the game of baseball, as
played professionally, is in a critical con-
dItiOn and that to improve the condition
changes must be made and reforms inau-
gurated.
The National league, in order to COM
mand the respect of the public must be
able to command the respect Of it's mem
bers, and must be governed by a firm
hand, Working-tO use the words employ
ed in your letter-fOr the sole purpose of
Kidding baseball of it's objectional fea-
lures. l am perfectly willing to commit
myself, personally, or the club l repre-
sent, SO far IS is in my power, to assist
in these reforms. l am more than willing
to trust the affairs in your hands as an
individual, and if you desire it will pledge
my support to you in this matter. | Will
not meet presidents Of other National
League clubs, either one at a time or IN
parties, unless L am privileged ia give out
to the public or to anybody else that l
see tit, just what was discussed at such
meetings. L do not believe that meetings
OF that kind are necessary, but tat
everything should be directed from a
central point, and 1 think that under the
circumstances you should be the central
point If the courts recognize your cleo
tlon as president of the National league,
Or if sufficient club members of the Ma
uonal league reCC gnize you as president
there should not be any question as to
your being the proper person to steer the
ship. Even If your election should be de-
clared void by the courts 1 know of no
reason why you cannot act as an indi-
V1dual and L hope that the clubs will
Unite in notifying you to act in your IN
GiVldua1 capacity. to assist in beneftine.
the National League and with it. profess
sional baseball.
Brush's Discordant Note.
John T. Brush, of Cincinnati, wires as
follows from Indianapolis:
1 believe had you met Robinson and
myseT on the evening of Dec IL and
discussed our differences all might have
been adjusted and there would have been
no necessity for asking for impressions
now. My suggeG ion is that You retire
and allow the league to get together and
ADJUST its own affairs or if you wish to
participate, then appear as a delegate
representing the Chicago club.
Mr.. Spalding then gives a copy of HE
reply to the above telegram. He says
in part:
| note your suggestions, but in view
OF my recent public declaration con
demnlng secret or so-called "gumshoe'
nae 'i9 10 discuss baseball affairs, [
could not consistently accept yoIr fnvi-
tauon, Which came through Mr. dar-. to
meet you and Mr.. Robson on the eve of
Dec. IL at your New York hotel. and I
assume that Mr.. Hart fully explained
this to you.
Your telegram would Indicate that diff
ferences. existed between US. knew
of no differences that exist, except the
differences of opinion as to the advisa bility
Of turning the National into a trust cor
poration, all the constituent clubs of
which were to be owned by one central
stock company and governed by a board
OF Iour regents No possible argument
that you could have advanced would
have convinced me that such a scheme
was possible or advisable for the national
game.
do not see how I can act upon or Sc
T1ously consider the last suggest ton in
ABOVE telegram. I cannot believe that Won
are sincere in making that suegastion
Tor you seem to TO- It that through yollr
acts and through those of your assocI-
ates L am temporarily enJo1ned by the
supreme court of New York from acting
aSspresldent-secretar treasurer of Ma
uonaI league, and / conStrue this tarn-
porary injunction of the court to mean
that / cannot resign without being held
possibly in contempt of court
Mr.. Spalding then asks Mr.. Brush if
it would not be well for him to sell his
alleged interest in the st. Louis cl;1b
and his supposed" controlling interest
in the Cincinnati club, and retire from
the game himself. He then makes =
proposition that If Messrs. Brush. Freed
man and Robson will permanently retire
from the game he (Spalding) will agree
to do likewise, "just as soon as the Ma
tional league is again reinstated In pub
lie favor and all professional baseball
interests nodded into a prooer fo~in Of
government that bids fair to continue
10 ~