Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-05
SPORTS OF ALL SORTS
Peace Conference the Topic in
Base Ball Circles.
TRICK cry FEARED
NATIONAL LEAGUE BATTING
AVERAGES PUT BEAUMONT FIRST
Interesting Golf Matches in MetropoH.
tan District-Cornen Captured Rice
Trophy-Lajoie Getting Well.

The action of Ban Johnson, president Of
the American League, in calling off the pro-
posed peace conference which was to have
been held In Cincinnati today does not sur
prise those who have been in touch with the
situation ever since the National League
magnates sued for peace says the New
York Sun. 1t is not defining the case too
plainly to say now that the American
League has never cared for so1called
peace" under the existing conditions and
that President Johnson has all along sus-
pected that the National Leaguers had
something up their sleeves which they did
their best to conceal.
AS matter of fact, the National League
men knew a week ago that a conference
with the American League was impossible,
although they hung on to the last. The
National League men were unit in desir-
ing the restoration Of the twelve-club cir
cult. Robinson, Soden Rogers, Hanlon and
others expressed themselves openly in IA
vor Of 1t, and only last week Hanlon. taking
time by the forelock, secured the lease of
the abandoned American League grounds
in Baltimore. But. surprising as it may
seem, the American League men, from the
moment the twelve-club plan was first
preached would not even consider the mat
ter. and as late as last Wednesday 1t Is
said that the National League men receiv-
ed an ultimatum to that effect. That was
why Garry Hermann of the Cincinnati club
who Is new" in National League politics.
could not secure full power to act for his
committee, the National League magnates
being heart and soul in favor of twelve
clubs and finding that they were up against
it, good and plenty.
The American League It Is not breach
Of faith to say, was never In favor OF
patching up existing difficulties with the
National League, especially after Johnson
was insulted by the magnates two years
ago, when he wanted permission to expand
the American League circuit. When last
season ended the American League had SO
completely won the day In Boston, Phi!a-
delphia, st. Louis and Chicago. which were
formerly National League strongholds, that
johnson & Co decided definitely to put a
club in this city. with Pittsburg posslbil-
ity. They have gotten things in such excel
lent shape. especially in this city. that they
feel the coming season they will sweep the
country. They say that the National
League would never have sued for peace II
1t had not been practically against the WALL
and that the old magnates do not deserve
clemency. in view of their unmerciful treat
ment Of would-be rivals In years gone by.
The American Leaguers also recall the
settlement Of the Brotherhood fight in $780,
when, though the National League was
beaten to standstill. the magnates, BY
League hackers neatly into camp and then
quietly oblterated all opposition. with profit
to themselves. One of the American League
men said recently to the Sun reporter:
"Why should we make peace with dead
body? While we were infants in the base
ball business the National League had no
use for us. We tried several times to Sc
cure some sort of recognition, but we were
simply told to go to the woods. Instead.
we just went ahead and beat the old mag
mates out of their boots, virtually putting
Soden of Boston, Rogers Of Philadelphia
and Robson of st. Louis out of business.
When we said, them that we were going to
put a club in this city. In opposition to
Brush, the National League men suddenly
woke up and said:
"'Oh, Mr.. American League we are your
friends. Let us have twelve-club league.
You give Soden, Rogers and Robson about
S5O.O0 each to quit. and keep out Of New
York, and the circuit Is easy
pray tell me what would become of the
American League in such a deal? For eight
years we have been building up an organi-
cation until we have the public with us.
The identity Of the American League Is de-
manded by the public to be kept intact.
We are in need Of no favors from the Ma
tional League, will be able to meet all OF
our obligations and will also provide the
best ball teams in the United States. Let
the National League die a natural death.
1t has outlived it's usefulness"
President Johnson and other American
League men are likely to drop into New
York this week. They have much impor-
tant work to do there, and are glad that
the peace bugaboo" has disappeared.