The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-08
.SPALDING' QUERIES
They Give Rise to Glove Letter.
Correspondence.
THE REPLY OF JOHN T. BRUSH
He Suggests That Mr.. Spa1dinG Get
OUTFLOW the Latter
Takes 1t.

President A. G. Spalding Of the old Ma
tional baseball league, has written to all
the members of the National league Tor
expressions of their views as to the fu-
ture management of the league. Ali were
favored with long letters, that is to say,
all except Andy Freedman. President
Ebbets Of Brooklyn, President Dreyfuss,
of Pittsburg; President Hart of Chicago,
and President Reach Of Philadelphia, re-
piled that they were in hearty accord with
Mr.. Spalding and would cooperate with
him in rescuing the great game from the
blighting effects of Brushism and Freed
manism and from all trickery. President
Soden of Boston also sent letter, Whlch,
however, will not be made public.
The exchange of compliments between
John T. Brush of Indianapolis and the new
president of the league supplies some
spicy reading. Mr.. Brush wired as follows
from Indianapolis:
believe, had you met Robinson and myself
On the evening of Dec. II and discussed our
differences, all might have been adjusted,
and there would have been no necessity for
asking tor impressions now. My suggestion
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 copy Of his
reply to the above telegram. He says, in
part:
I note your suggestions; but, in view of my
recent public declaration condemning secret,
so-called ''gumshod'', meetings to dis
cuss baseball affairs. I could not consistently
accept your invitation, which came through
Mr.. Hart, to meet you and Mr.. Robson on
the eve of Dec. II at your New York hotel,
and I assume that Mr.. Hart fully explained
this to you.
Your telegram would indicate that differ
ences existed between u.s. l knew Of no diff
ferences that existed except the differences
of opinion as to the ACCESSIBILITY OF turning
the National into a trust corporation, all the
constituent clubs of which were to be owned
by board of four regents. No possible ar
gument that you could have advanced would
have convinced me that such ascheme was
possible or advisable for the national game.
do not see how can act upon or seriously
consider the last suggestion, for you seem to
forget that, through your acts and through
those of your associates, I am temporarily
enjoined by the supreme court Of New York
from acting president-secretary-t treasurer
OF the National league, and I construe this
temporary injunction Of the court to mean
that cannot resign without being held pos
sibly in contempt of court
Mr.. Spalding asks Mr.. Brush if it would
not be we'll for him to sell his "alleged"
interest in the st. Louis club and his
supposed controlling interest in the
Cincinnati club, and retire from the game
himself. He then makes a 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 reinstated in public favor and all
professional baseball interests nodded
into a proper form Of government that bids
fair to continue for reasonable length
Of time"