The Washington times., 1902-04-06
REVIEW OF NATIONAL
LEAGUE SITUATION
Spalding Deserves Praise for
His Action.
Signs of Baseball Politics-That Jump
ing Fund" Scheme-Players
Are No Fools.

After balancing gracefully over seeth-
ing volcano for nearly three months the
National League magnates have at last
agreed to disagree and let it go at that.
| They have CLOSED over the situation with
thin veneer of plausible statements that
| outwardly seem TO have a soothing effect
on the rufIled feelings of certain mag
mates, and If the belligerent factions will
be content 20 let good enough alone 1t
| may be strong enough to last until the
end OF the season.
The meeting in New York ended much
more peacefully than could be expected
from tie anti-meeting statements made by
many CT the magnates. The action OF
A. G. Spalding. while having many of the
earmarks Of 4 grandstand play. undoubt-
edly saved the situation, and shows that
he has real interest in the fate of pro-
fessional baseball. which cannot be said
of several others closely identified with
the National League.
Foxy Baseball Politics.
OF course. the statement is made that
Spalding is playing a waiting game and
has designs on the presidency next year,
and that his resignation was simply to
break the solid front OF the Freedman
four at the next annual election. This
may be all true enough. but still the
fact remains that he virtually saved the
situation, and Notwithstanding what mo-
tives he may, or may not, have had he
deserves the thanks of the entire league.
1t also locks as Though there were more
or less baseball politics behind the selec-
ticn of Temple as president. No assur
ance was given by Barney DTeyfuss that
he would accept. if rendered the position.
but, nevertheless, his name was railroad
ed through by an exhibition OF cleverness
rarely seen outside CT national politics.
This little maneryre, at least. served
to break the deadlock, and made possi
Bile the plan CT putting the affairs of the
National League in the hands CT a com
mittee of magnates: How this plan Will
work is doubtful, although IL is expected
that Uncle Nick Foung Will still be the
real head of the league. by virtue of his
position as secretary treasurer. If the
committee attempts TO put its oar in.
however, therodS liable to be riot and dis
cord before the season is over.
Barney ,Dseyfuss COerced.
1t is also eaidert that pressure was
brought to beassonl Dreyfuss to prevent
his placing hisi awSrlike schedule. before
athe nagnates.dGhis is derived from the
fact that a man dods not struggle with a
hodgeApdse of yia sas Simply for the fun
of putting them in, order At any rate.
only the Inosb eeEseryative of schedules
were brought to-thG notice of the league
and no objection was made to the adop-
tion Of the one containing the least num-
er of conflicting dates. |
Another apparently .purpcseless move
by the National League, if they really are
behind It, is the raising of a S10O coo fund
to go after the stars that have signed |
contracts with the American League. Ii /
is stated that Lajoie was offered 4 fabu- I
lous sum to jump the Athletics and sign |
with the Giants. He failed to see the
matter in that light. however, and at last .
accounts was still with Connie Mack.
of course. If the National League de- !
cides that 1t can pay its players salaries |
ranging from 5000 a year up, they can !
undoubtedly get the men. If not this year I
at least next The American League has /
no intention Of meeting this foolish boost I
ing of prices. They are paying all that .
they honestly can. and the men realize /
that there is such a thing as killing the |
goose that lays the golden eggs
Passed Up to the Players
Unless club is making. at the inside. /
expenses there is bound to be a cut in !
salaries The American magnates have |