The St. Louis Republic., 1903-07-20
Outcome of Meeting of National
League Magnates Anxious
ly Awaited.
WILL 1T BE PEACE OR WAR?
Elberfeld Injunction to Ee Argued
and Other Important Matters
to BE Attended To.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
New York. July ls.-The present week
promises much for the iut IRE OF baseball.
Tomorrow the Elbe,ield Injunction argu-
ment is to he heard in the Supreme Court
and special meeting CT the National
League club owners will be convened at the
Victoria Hotel.
A good deal of interest centors in the spe-
cial meeting of the National League called
by President Pulian, as on the outcome OF
1t depends the continuance Of the peace re-
lations. That the PLAYING of George :. Da-
Wis by the Ncw York National League club.
made possible by the permission given the
rnans cement by President Puliiam, will be
the priucipa! matter discussed at the eX-
trsordinary meeting goes without saying.
Three Of the Western National League
clubs have taken i firm stand regarding
this acton of the Leagues executive, and
possibly two others may coinciic with them
in ;hs adverse opinion which they have an
nounCed as to his right or authority TO
do SO.
Opinions differ as to the outcome. Some
well-informed persons IN pom camps s.!
that the almost Iuinous war which was
waged between the National League and
the American League iOr nearly two years
will not be renewed. Others. however. ue-
lieve that the fight Will be resumed and
continued with more severity and bitterness
than before.
The wiser heads among those most deep
ly Interested as well as the watchfuI ioi-
lowers and supporters Of the game. are OF
the opinion tn,tt neither side is either
anxious or able to rekiudie the flames which
burned SO fierCely eisht months ago
Nothing. they argue. is to be gained by
such an outbreak OF hostilues. as u recuf-
fence OF the trouble must necessarily mean
additional expenditure, continuance OF
Ligh salaries Tor players ana me ultimate
wIpiug out of one Ur both orsan!za tons.
PLAYERS NOT WOiiRliNG.
Meanwhile the players are not worrying,
as they have all TO gain and very liItie 10
lose, 50 Iong as the rival camps keep Oh
the ragged edge OF an outbreak
AT the outset OF the present playing sea
son the presidents OF the Two big i.agUes
and the president OF the National AssOc.a-
ton Of Minor Leagues instructed their re
spoctive corps OF umpres to the enforce
meHt OF the stringent rules a4opted for the
purpose OF maintaining otuer and discipline
on the baseball field.
The urnpiLcs Were assured 10y the excel
tives that they would receive all necessary
support IN the discnarse Of their arduouS
duties, and they began the season by or
dering recalCitrant players out OF the gaIns
and off the fields every time any OF The
players Kicked against the official ruI-
ings.
his severity had the desired effect for
couple OF months. during which ut least
four team captains were ordered off the
field and subsequently suspended. in add
tion to Il score or more players. When the
men saw that the umpIr.s We're in earnest
and that the reports OF these officials Were
received ana ratified by the executives, the
objections became less frequent and fell to
nearly a minimum.
"Rowdyisnl' on the bail field was consid
cred TO De pretty nearly ended while there
were no clouds in sighi,
But all this seeming quietude was dis
rupted as soon as the resumption of the
began to dispute the decisions of the UNI
pires with impunity. They fought with op-
posing players on and OF the field. Man
ayers and captains of teams became en-
broiled In fist fights before thousands of
spectators. and. to cap the climax, hith-
erto unheard-of row occurred on the dia-
mond when an umpire SO far forgot himself
as TO strike an offending player, only 10 be
off the field in custody of police
official and hauled to court the following
on charge of disorderiy conduct
WADDELL'S LATEST ACT.
This row occurred nearly two weeks ago.
but neither the umpire nor the players who
provoked him has been called to account
for his action. President Ban Johnson. who
now is in this city, said yesterday that he
had not taken any action in this case UP
TO the present because he had left Chicago |
the day the disturbance occurred at Amer |
lean League Park, and the umpire's report
Of the affair had gone to his Chicago office. |
As soon as these papers reach him. Presi- |
cent johnson will infict whatever punish |
ment he deems proper, and BY his action in
the case of Pitcher Waddell OF the Phila- |
ieiphia Athletics It would seem that he in
tends to punish every offender without any
waste Of time.
Waddell jumped into the grand stand and
attacked one of many spectators who were
him during a game in Phila-
:elphia last Friday and President Johnson
suspended him for five days yesterday.
in dealing with the New York and St
Louis National League players who acted
so disgracefully IN st. Louis nearly two
weeks ago, but he claims that he is MAX |
ng close and careful inquiries regarding
that affair and will pass upon It some time |
during the coming week.
WESTEnS JEafI-E