The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-09
TRYING TO BLOCK JOHNSON.
BRUSHS AGENT WANTS OPTION
ON THE Aston ESTATE.
Meets with Rebuff, but Incidentally SHOWS
That All 10 Not Peace In Baseban
world-McCraw's Claim 70 Jones
Ridicuied by the American League.

The American Leagues efforts to place
a ball club in this city are being watched
SO carefully by the National League men
that IL would seem to indicate more than
passing interest on the part OF the latter.
In fact 70 may be said that although the Ma
tional League has formally consented TO the
invasion OF this city its agents are doing
all in their power TO block the deal. On
Saturday IL was admitted by President John
son that he was considering the Astor estate
at Jerome avenue and ieist street. just acroee
Macomb's Dam Bridge. on the Harlem River
bank In less than an hour after this i'd
mission an official Of the New York National
League club was hunting all over town for
a representative OF the Aston estate. With
the idea OF securing sixty days opuon
on the property which would shut johnson
out Of II until II would be too late to open
the season there.
The hunt was continued yesterday With
some success. for the agent OF the estate
was found. but the representative OF John
T. Brush was informed that the Aston estate
would grant an option on the property to
nobody, that II the New York National League
club wanted to shut johnson out 1t would
have to lease the property for ten years 81
something like $4,000 year. whereupon
the agent Of Brush went away crestfallen.
II johnson finally selects the Astor estate
he will find a warm friend and supporter
In Louis Haffen. president Of the borough
OF The Bronx, who is baseball enthusiast
through and through and who 10 a strong
believer in the American Lea que. Presi-
dent Haren has assured the American League
men that they will be able to operate without
Interference from anybody II they cross the
The Astor estate would have been leased
by John NJ. Ward In 1890 for the New York
Brothcrhood club the deal for tS the Pre:rnt
grounds are not more than 900 Yards from
the Polo Grounds. across the Harlem River:
y is six minutes, walk from the terminus Of
the Sixth and Ninth avenue elevated roads
at 155th street 10 the proposed entrance TO
the e Brdss to be
Park. which is not so conveniently located.
but which Is on the line Of the subway. The
OF the lot and those in control OF II were maxi
ing strenuous efforts yesterday 70 have the
5aSn.sn .as aa Ss, dens soad
In regard to the signing OF Fielder jones
Of the Chicago Americans to contract Tor
New York Nationals. President johnson ssid
.Mcirsw'is talking hot air. BY the terms
Chicago AmerGanss, NSG m.s r ia: no right
cant. nse'' %so S s Jones 70 tSrss-Ye:f
contract in 1900. said when he heard Mcarsw's
ASH McGray TO consult With the owners
OF the seven national League CLUBS ouusde
OF New York, and also with President Pulliam.
I shall be guided perhaps by their opinion.
awarded to New York II would ,encouraee
manasers 70 date their contracts Win playeIs
the signing Of the peace agreement. with the
see where McGraw sSys he may get Georss
Americans this year OF retire from baseball.
Barney Dreyfuss. who recently suo0eeded
In buying out Reach and Rogers in Phils-
delphia by means OF a syndicate, IL now organ
ling syndicates TO buy out the Boston people.
soden. Billings and Connsnt and also Frsnk
i. the ruler OF the Nation al League to-day,
and he controls dI-club combination asatnse
mean that be thinks he has q chance TO 90 up
against the, American League neIt year With
already that the brooklyn club y slatsd 70
20 into the Eastern LEAGUE nsxt year. BIT
that Brooklyn will stay in the GauonaEan
expression OF extreme confidence for Ebbeeta.