Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-12

leagues, looking to a settlement Of the
base ball war. which was preached by the
National Leaguers on Wednesday, win be
held at the Criterion Hotel. New York, to-
day. when Bancroft Byron johnson. John
F. Kilfoyle and Charles w. Somers. rep
resenting the American League, will meet
August Hermann, James A. Hart and
Frank De Hass Robson Of the old organi-
cation which. for the first time In twenty
five years. has hoisted signals Of distress
and virtually admits that it has been beaten
by the young league that sprung into ex-
istence only three years ago, says the New
York Sun.
The Amerfcsa League men are in a po-
sitton to dictate terms. and from what
President Johnson said last night they will
be short and sweet. The American League
men will insist that all contract jumpers
who have accepted money and then de-
serted theirsclubs shall be blacklisted for
ever. This Is the first condition, and 1t Is
calculated to strike at the root Of an evil
which, IL allowed to grow, will undermine
the integrity of the sport Itself. President
Johnson on this point said emphatically:
THE contract jumper in base ball must
go. l mean by this the player who after
signing with one club and accepting money
In advance turns around and does the same
thing with some other club. Such man
should be sent to prison. The American
League Will never employ such a man In
the future and the National League must
get rid OF all of their contract jumpers be-
fore peace can be restored. In other words
contract jumpers must be banished from
the sport. The public will never trust them
and they will do the game harm IL they
are allowed to remain"
The second condition laid down by the
American League will be that under no
circumstance shall its plans for next years
circuit be changed In other words the
American League must be allowed to estab-
fish its new club in New York, and also
another In Pittsburg. possibly, else the war
will go on. The National Leaguers want
twelve-club league. combining clubs in
Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago and st.
Louis and they will press their suit In this
direction with great vigor. But when john
son was asked about this he said:
There will be no consolidate no twelve
club league. but two big leagues, each of
eight clubs The American League will
play ball In New York lust the same for
we have bought our grounds and have al
ready abandoned Baltimore. We villa not
give up an inch Of territory and will simply
stand pat"
The American Leagues third condition is
that all contracts must be respected and
that there shall be reserve rule which
VIII operate between the rival leagues and
minor leagues. But the American League
will live up to all its high-salaried con-
tracts with ball players until they have ex-
pired. Most all Of the contracts were for
two years and yet have a year to run.
John T. Brush, president Of the New
York Nationals. when informed Of the
American Leagues conditions. said:
Have they given out their terms to the
newspapers before meeting the National
Leagues committee? Well, what's the use
OF going up to the Criterion at all7 We will
however, when the two committees get to-
gether. would like to say that do not
believe that the American League has Sc
cured grounds in this city, no matter how
n W rnxff hnNy, all
over the island and have investigated all
available plots, with the result that I shall
be very much surprised when learn that
what Johnson says Is true"
According to the American League men,
Brush has half a dozen players signed for
the New York Nationals who come under
tie head of contract jumpers. and they
must be banished before peace can be re-
stored in the base ball world. Delehanty,
who recently signed with Brush, previously
signed with the Washington American
League club and accepted 81 600 in advance
money. For this proceeding del" Is a
marked man, unless he lives up to his
washington contract. Brush. however, Is
for peace, good and strong, for he drew up
called for today's conference with Johnson
& Co Brush Is also In favor of electing
idency Of the National League, although
nearly all Of the other clubs have agreed
upon Harry Pulliam, salaried official Of
the Pittsburg club and former newspaper
man.
The National Leaguers spent the entire
day at the Victoria behind closed doors
They really discussed the American League
situation, but they said they did not. In
stead. they insisted that they were wran-
Cling over the Manhattan Field proposition
They want Brush to pay over to the league
the 5 per cent deduction from the gate re-
ceipts at the Polo Grounds during the sea-
sons of 1900 and 1901 In part payment for
reducing the circuit to eight clubs. They
also insist that Brush shall hand over the
foot ball receipts at the Polo grounds for
the past two years. which should really be
charged to the account OF Manhattan Field
for which the league has been paying
SIS. coo year to the local club. Just what
Brush viii do In this matter remains to be
seen.
Jack Warner was at the Victoria during
the day and positively denied that he had
signed with Brush's New Yorks He says
that he is under contract to the Boston
Americans for next season. but has asked
G. W. Somers to transfer him to the New
York Americans. as this city Is his home
Base ball men are inclined to regard the
schedule given out by the National League
on Wednesday as bluff and that there will
be another in the spring.