Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-27
LOTUS CAM TRADE.
Ban johnson Says After "Dep' Reports
q Deal Nav Be Made.

Deal May Be Made.
A special from Chicago says that Ban
johnson, after his arduous iabOrs in the
east, has returned home and Is In splendid
health. The president Of the American
League appeared to be satisfied with the re-
suit of his efforts since he left Chicago. He
was confident Of the outlook, and did not
appear to be any the worse for his innings
with John T. Brush and Andy Freedman.
The only thing that annoyed him was the
story credfting him with saying that all
players who had broken their contracts OF
any parties to such broken contracts were
to be blacklisted.
81 want to deny In the strongest lam
guage." Mr.. johnson said. 1.-THE story cred
tied me with saying that all players who
had broken contracts or any parties to
|, such broken contracts were to be black
listed. I never gave out any such state
ment.
THE blacklist never has been discussed
between the leagues since the Cincinnati
conference. At that time. as was an
nounced, we had long talk. and for q
while 1t looked as though both Davis and
Delehanty would be blacklisted. but we
came to the conclusion 1t would not be just
to the players unless we made a clean
sweep of 1t and ruled out the whole crowd
OF double dealers. magnates as well as
players"
Talking Of the situation in New York,
Mr. johnson remarked:
We win be on hand when the schedule
calls for the first game In New York. April
80. There Is no chance for slip-up now.
There are 500 men working on the grounds,
and within a week or so 1t will begin to
look like ball park. There Is quite
but that will not cause them any trouble;
they are in sympathy with us, and Will
have the work completed on schedule time.
We sprung something of a surprise on those
han nd nd
when l left they had not quite recovered
from the shock, although they were COM
mencing to sit up bit and take notice OF
things"
Mr.. Johnson said that at present he had
no intention OF returning east. He gave
out the impression that unless the unex-
pected happened he would remain IN Chi
cago throughout the summer. Discussing
the Davis-Delehanty matter. he said:
Those fellows will play with Washing
ton and Chicago. respectively, or they will
not play base ball. There is nothing for
them to do but behave themselves and re-
port for duty. If they do not choose to do
so they might as well get into some other
line of business right away.
Il had not heard before Of the threatened
strike Of the Players Protective Associa-
ton, but you can put that yarn down as the
offspring OF few diseased minds. Why,
about 80 per cent of the ball pla yers in the
country-and that number comprises all the
reasonable men in the business-condemn
not support them In any attempt to hold
up the clubs with which they are Under con-
tract to play.
IF LOTUS wants to make any deal with
Griffith after Delehanty reports to him,
that Is his affair. and he can do as he
pleases. Take my word for 1t, these two
men will report where they belong and be
as meek as lambs.
ct have not heard anything about the
Gleason affair except what saw In the
newspapers. Gleason is not under contract
with Comiskey, but was given to him by
to play with the White Sox II he doesn't
want to, but he will be better OFF II he
does, for he can hope for no chance with
the inf1eld that Collins has. Comiskey can
also get along without him. as Davis will
play with him this year.
THE Odwen business Is another new one
to me. I understand he has reported to the
Louisville team. Comiskey has contract
with him. but doubt If he bothers much
a hO,If