The Washington times., 1903-12-19
JOHNSON REFUSES
A GIFT OF $1,000
His Salary. However, Is In
creased to $4,000.
WASHINGTON IS IN DEAL
Sale of the Senators TO Local Capital
lists Is About to
Close.
WASHINGTON is IN DEAL

CHICAGO. NJ. Dec. 1s.-Plans wore
formulated by the magnates OF the
American League at the Auditorium Ho-
tel yesterday afternoon. whereby the
weaker clubs in the circuit next year
will be made stronger and the league
race will be more spirited than ever.
St. Louis and New York especially arc
the clubs that viii be bolstered, up in
order to attract TO the formers grounds
the crowds which will come West to see
the fair at the Mound City
Frank Farrell. who is the hacker of
the Highlanders. is determined TO spend
thousands more 70 put a championship
team In New York. and declares he is
satisfied with the work OF the team dur
ing the first year and hopes TO draw
large crowds next year with the com
pletion of the subway
The champion Boston team will prac-
tically be made up of the same timber
as last year
The magnates convened shortly before
2 o'clock yesterday and after discussing
various routine matters created a sen
sation by requesting President Johnson
to leave the room for few minutes.
When he was permitted to return he
was confronted with the proposition thai
his salary had been increased from 81
800 to $4,000 annually. and that Christ
mas present Of 5000 in gold was at his
disposal
Johnson Refuses Gift.
The American League executive. who
has led his organization through three
years of success as a major league
was overoowered by the oners. but in
stinctively offered fight. He held the
league session for nearly two hours Of
argument, pushing aside the golden
tributes offered by his colleagues. and
finally succeeded in avoiding the s., 900
gift.
The salary Question was settled by
the magnates themselves. however.
with IN utter disregard 90 the wishes
Of their executive and for the next
year their leader will be forced to ac-
cept a $4,000 salary whether he wishes
it or not In the original plan IL was
expected that his salary should be
awarded to cover the next six years
the term of the present National agree
mnt--but johnson would consent to the
increase for one year only. This trib-
ute to the American League leader was
the feature Of the afternoon sesslS0
which closed the present meeting. and
was harmonious throughout An ad-
Journment was taken to March. -
Prospective Ownership.
The prospective change in the owner
ship OF the Washington club was dis
cussed at length and President John.
son was in conference over the Iong
distance telephone with Attorney W.
J. Lambert at Washington. who is en-
cheering the deal. The league was
given fun information in regard to the
proposed changes. which were found On.
tirely satisfactory. and President John.
son was given fun authority 70 act He
viii go to Washington within the next
two weeks and arrange the details which
viii close the deal and put prominent
Washingtonians in full control of the
Senators for next year
Several trades were discussed in the
meeting. and it is probable that Pitcher
Mullin. of Detroit. will eventually find
berth in the New York American
League Club. but up to a late hour last
night the details of the proposed deal
were not perfected. These matters, to-
gether with the general run of routine.
occupied the session Of the league
At the same time that the increase
70 President Johnsons salary was de-
cided upon he was formally reelected
TO the presidency for another year. and
Charles SOmers. of Cleveland. was also
renamed as vice president.
Only Sixteen Players.
A resolution was adopted by the
league TO the effect that no club shall
have more than sixteen players on the
salary list after June l. Several Of the
magnates objected to the resolution. but
after considerable discussion they were
prevailed upon TO vote for it's adoption.
President Johnson was authorized to
appoint committee to change the con-
stitution to conform to the present con
ditlons or the new national agreement
A schedule committee was also ap-
pointed. which viii confer with a cor
responding committee Of the National
League. While this committee was un-
instructed. the general sentiment OF the
magnates was for a shorter schedule
than the l54 games agreed upon Thurs
day. and IL is said an effort win be
made TO bring the National League COM
mittee 10 the same view.
Wilton J. Lambert attorney for the
Washington club left the city for New
York this morning at l115 O'Clock. and
viii meet Ban Johnson in New York on
Monday. when the deal for the local
franchise will probably be closed.