The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-17
DREYFUSS MAY JUMP
EMS TO GO OVER TO
AMERICAN
TIRED OF NATIONAL MIx-UP
Spalding Must Straighten ONT Tan.
gle Within Specified Time or
Pirates VIII Join John
sons League.

CHICAGO Jan. 16.-Barney Dreyfuss,
of Pittsburg, has issued an ultimatum to
A. G. Spalding, in which he tells the en-
Joined president of the National league
that he must straighten out the present
baseball tangle within specified time
or expect the pirates to seek an Aneri-
can league franchise.
Rumor several days ago said that
Dreyfuss was growing impatient over the
delays Of Spalding, but it was made light
of by those concerned. Yesterday, how
ever, the above story bobbed up again
stronger than ever and created quite a
stir IN local baseball circles.
President johnson yesterday declared
he knew nothing Of the affair more than
he had heard the rumor. He said:
Even if it is true that Dreyfuss has
made that statement it may be only an
attempt on his part to force the other
nIagnates to some sort of action. AT
any rate he would not be likely to apply
to me for a franchise before the expira-
ton Of the time limit supposed to be
given his associates
Would the American league be willing
to admit Pittsburg if the opportunity
presented itself?' was asked.
There would have to be vacancy III
our circuit before that opportunity oc-
Cured" Mr.. Johnson replied, land at
present that circuit is complete. But l
viii say this, that the American league
would like TO have Pittsburg in its cir
cult and with Mr.. Dreyfuss in control.
He IS, in my opinion, a clean, thorough
sportsman, with his whole heart and soul
interested in the success of the club with
which he is identified merely for the love
of the sport itself, and consequently is
man who will work for the advancement
oE ic
baseball town, one of the best in the
country, and probably the best for its
size. You can make that as strong as
you please"
In spite of President Johnson's evasion
of the direct question it is believed the
American league would welcome an OPP
pOrtunity to admit Pittsburg and Drey-
fuss to its circles. 1t is pointed out that
it would be a comparatively simple mat
ter TO transfer the Cleveland franchise
TO the Smoky City and thereby strength
en- the western end of the league at the
same time adding greatly to the playing
strength of the league by the absorption
of the Pittsburg players. Dreyfuss is
the only magnate of the old league who
has succeeded in retaining his team in
tact through both raids Of the expansion
lists, and his team Of champions is ed
mittedly the strongest in the National
league.
Personally he belongs in the American
leagues class, in that he puts the sport
first and the turnstile second, in theory
as well as practice. He believes better,
cleaner sport brings better returns, and
he is d harder loser than even Comiskey.
Those are American league principles,
and Dreyfuss is somewhat out of his
class with several of the National league
owners.
From the Dreyfuss standpoint he could
well afford to break into the American
league circuit, even at considerable ex-
pense to himself, for the sake of giving
Pittsburg major league baseball again
and saving his baseball property from
deteriOratng in value, as it must il
the National league fails to work to-
gether in harmony. He could afford,
therefore, to purchase the Cleveland
franchise himself at Cleveland's own
it is believed, as the American league
would likely be willing to pay something
for the advantages it would gain from the
compact.