Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-08
THE BASEBALL WAR.
SpaIding Makes Public Correspondence With
Some Of the League Masnates.

New York. Jan. "A. G. Spalding. to-
cay, addressed letter to Messrs Drey-
Hart and Robson. The letter includes
copies of the replies Mr.. Spalding re-
ceived in answer TO his circular letter to
the men mentioned. dated Jan. 2. In
making these public he says that he must
reserve the right. to ignore the request
that any baseball correspondence with
him be treated as confidential
"A baseball revolution is in progress.
Mr.. Spalding said, ''and timid ones who
are afraid of shot and shell had better
keep off the firing line and get to the
rear
on the proposed baseball trust Mr.
Spalding writes: II feel warranted in as
surfing you that this scheme is hopelessly
Killed beyond any possible chance OF IA
resurrection
Before introducing the replies to his
circular -lerter. Mr.. Spalding says that in
addition to these replies he has received
Il letter from A. IL. Soden which he will
not send out until he has his permission
C. II. Ebbetts of Brooklyn, writes: Il
am heartily in accord with all that you
have done. | am confident that you have
been legally, elected to the presidency OF
the National League. l am with you to
the very end of this squabble."
The letter of A. J. Reach of Philadel-
phia, reads in part: Your letter OF md
inst, is read with interest. The Philadei-
phia end feels perfectly satisfied with
The situation and with what you have
done to date. Hope, however. that We
will be able to break the deadlock with
our Boston friends and thus bring our
present troubles to an end
Barney Dreyfuss of Pittsburg, writes
in part: Il beg to say that individually
have but one aim so far as the Natioh-
III League is concerned, and that is to
have the present state of affairs cleared
I'D at an early date
James A. Hart of Chicago. in his letter
uses these words: Il believe that the
.f,Ns.. 1txp
is in a critical condition and that 20 i'm
prove the condition changes must be
made and reforms inaugurated. | am
perfectly willing to commit myself per
is in my power. to assist in these reforms.
| am more than willing to trust the at
fairs in your hands as an individual and.
if you desire it,, will pledge my support to
you in this matter
John L. Brush of Cincinnati. wires as
follows from Indianapolis: II believe had
YOU met Robson and myself the evening
If Dec. 18th and discussed our differences
oil might have been adjusted and there
might have been no necessity for asking
Tor impressions now. My suggestion is
that you retire and allow the league to
ret together and adjust fits own affairs.
or if You wish to participate then appear
as a delegate representing the Chicago
club
Mr. Spalding then gives a copy of his
reply to the above telegram. He says in
part: ~ note your suggestions. but in
view of my recent public declaration con-
tIemning secret or sO-called 'gumshoc,
meetings to discuss baseball affairs.
could not consistently accept your invita-
ton.
Mr.. Spalding then asks Mr.. Brush If it
would not be well for him to sell his al.
legged" interest in the st. Louis club ana
his supposed controlling interest in the
Cincinnati club and retire from the game
himself He then makes proposition
that if Messrs. Brush. Freedman and
Robson will permanently retire from the
game he (Spalding) will agree to do like
wise ''just as soon as the National
League is again renstated in public IA
vor and all professional baseball inter-
csts moulded into IA proper form OF gov
eminent that bids fair to continue for Il
rea snnahle length of time.