The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-10


American league which was begun yes
terday at Cincinnati. will resume its ses-
sions today. and IL is possible the confer
ence will be concluded tonight. This,
however. Is not certain.
While nothing has been given out by
the representatives who are at the con-
ference II is quite certain that the con-
ference will be OF material benefit II
Is the first time the two leagues have met
with the purpose in mind OF adjusting the
differences between them, and the meet
ing with such purpose in view Is step
In the right direction.
For two solid years the two organlza-
tions have waged war on each other. The
war has benefited only the players and
the public. and II has clearly established
the fact there Is a greater demand for
good ball playing than the old orgapiza-
ton could supply. The support given by
the people to the American league shows
that there are many people who. as pa
irons OF the game, resent the manipula-
ton of the sport for the sake Of salts
flying the personal whims and srudges
of some OF the magnstes.
The retirement of Andrew Freedman
from baseball In New York and the aboli-
ton OF his methods, will be the best thing
that has ever happened for the sake OF
the game in that city. There Is no doubt
the city OF New York Is large enough to
support a half dozen teams. provided they
play good enough ball. and while only
two teams have existed there the disposi-
tion of the American league 10 break
into that city, and the advertising given
the proposed new team, has created an
interest that will only be satisfied by the
establishment Of the new team.
The methods which have been rhe vogue
In an mr. n lN la
ball in that city. and the rivalry that
would follow the playing OF an American
healthy impetus 10 the sport Baseball
is grand game and Is probably better
understood by the people than any other
out-of-doors sport that might be named.
but there is no sport. no matter how at
tractive. that viii survive the manipula-
tion Of men who seek to satisfy their, own
personal ends Serving the people is
The Willingness OF the people to patron
ize the American league the experience
OF the hght in Boston. philadelphia, 81.
people will support the club In which
they have confidence and interest. The
spirit which obtained in Philadelphia-
and where Manager Connie Mack won
out with his Athletics. after combatting
adverse circumstances OF the most dis
heartening character. IL a sufficient DEM
onstration OF the popular appreciation or
effort to give the people what they de-
mand.
BE II in sport or IN any other enterprise
dependent upon the patronage OF the peo-
Pile. the man who does all he can to, please
and meet the wishes OF the people, axu
who can gain the public confidence. has
placed himself on the most substantial
Foundation. The patronage OF the Ameri-
can league team broke all records In ihll-
edelphia, while the National seague team
PLAYED day after day TO a handful or
The reason for this was apparent. The
people wore following the fortunes or the
Athletics and they were interested Be-
sides, public sentiment was not IN sym,
pathy with the methods OF the Nauohal
league. In the bitter war M @ tnat ma nas pIeyl In
ers themselves have been the ones 10
receive the most benefit. The saaries
that were considered sunicient oy ds,,,Sed Sne Sa
tional league magnates have been douDled
and trebed and In some instances 9uau-
rupled, and the players have taken anNall- ,n-
tage OF the great delnand 70 set n,, sa 70
which have been CONSIDERED py h'eihE :"
Re that a. IL may. It Is quite probable
the public has seen the height OF the sala-
ries to be paid ball players for consio-
erable length of time to come. The meet
ing Of the representatives OF the TWO
leagues will probably bring about several
results. or these the least possible num-
Der of conflicting dates. the agreement TO
confne the Jurisdiction OF the two leagues
10 the cities now controlled TO agree that
the one or the other shall have the ex-
elusive franchise in the future In cities
In which the leagues have clubs.
So far as the agreement concerning
PLAYERS, that is largely conjecture. but
II is assumed that the two leagues will
hold the players that were signed up to
the time when overtures were made for
an agreement between the two organiza-
tlons Under this assumption II is COM
mented that Il would be reasonable for
the leagues to reliqush claims on players
signed after the overtures were made.
What understanding may be reached as
10 the future protection Of the players
by each league Ia decidedly an uncer-
tainty. The war may not he resumed and
the salaries OF players may never again
be as high as now, but the fact there Is
70 be two major organizations Will con-
tinue n demand for players that Will keep
salaries materially above the standard
fixed by the National league before the
American league entered the field.
The detail OF the agreement that will
hc made IL probably not wholly formu-
lated In the minds OF the men who are I'm
conference That will be a matter which
will require great deal Of attention and
81 is not probable such agreement will be
definitely determined until long after the
conference. and Il IL assumed that the
present conference will he the first Of
series OF similar meetings. Perhaps
agreement will he made for n specific
when all matters will he adjusted and
questions at issue decided
Under any circumstances the end OF
A. a.. 1T.