Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-10
BASE BALL MACNATES MEET
Peace Conference Preliminary Session Held
Between Committees.
OUTLOOK is GROWING MUCH BRIGHTER
Prospect Good for Agreement a. Go
the Basis on which Terms of
settlement May Be Ap-
preached.

CINCINNATI Jan. All the members
Of the Joint peace committee Of the Ma
tional and American Base Fall leagues met
here today. The National members are
at the St. Nicholas and the American mem
bers at the Grand hotel. They met sepa-
rately during the forenoon with the owners
and managers in their respective leagues,
many Of whom are present, as well as
President Harry Pulliam and Ban johnson.
The American members want the dispute
over the players passed on first. Chair
man Hermann, after spending the night
With Robson. Dreyfus and others, met
James A.. Hart and other National leaders
this morning and afterward called on
Charles Comiskey. Henry Killilea, Charles
somers and others at the headquarters Of
The American conferees.
Session Lasts Eight Hours.
The Joint conference went into execu-
tive session at 2 and Presidents Johnson
and Pulliam were made the fourth mem
bers Of the committees Of the American
and National leagues respectively. The
eight representatives we're the only ones
admitted to the conference.
The discussion lasted from 2 until almost
I this evening, when a recess Of an hour
was taken. The conferees then went to
huOIutT IOOils Mutlt hAAhNl hoA btNh u
Tered, and the executive session was prac-
tically continued while they we're dining.
A crowd Of reporters and base ball men
gathered on the outside, among them being
J. e. Bruce and c. J. McDiarmid. counsel
Of President johnson. and stockholders in
the st. Louis club; Manager Frank c.. Ban
croft Of the Cincinnati National league
club and Manager Charles Nichols Of the
Kansas City Western league club. The
peace commissioner we're interviewed as
they passed into the public dining room
and stated that no action had been taken,
although they had discussed all the ques
lions in dispute. They had not yet agreed
on the extent OF even the character of an
agreement, and we're therefore unable to
decide on the order OF bus. ness or what
questions should be taken up first.
There seemed to be a consensus OF opin-
Ion that It would be necessary TO reach @
compromise on the questions OF territory
and disputed players.
One proposition discussed was that about
score of players who have signed con
tracts with both leagues should remair
where they were at the time Of the peace
meeting in New York last month. 1t wa,
also proposed that the American league
should hold it's franchises for clubs in Pitts
burg and New York.
AS to Pittsburg, there is some doubt, bu
1t seemed to be understood that the Amer
lean league would gain a foothold in New
York.
One OF the conferees said that the ex
change Of opinion had done much towart
establishing confidence between the oppos
ing forces. Before the meeting each sid
had mistrusted the other, as there bad beef
considerable Misrepresentation.
The general discussion was opened b.
each one of the eight conferees being calle
on to explain just what he favored. what h
thought ought to be done. how It could b
done and how far the conference should &c
Then a general discussion followed, of tn
opinions thus expressed. some taking shar