The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-05
WARS THREATENING CLOUD
HANGS OVER BASEBALL WORLD.
The National American Seem the Eve An
other Confctberfed and Davis the Cause of the Fracs
The National League in C ase of Fight Would Be
Split While the America Presents Solid Front.
WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC

WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.
The dove Of peace, which has nestled
over the baseball situation since last De-
cember. seems to have jumped its contract.
The peaceful birds acrobatic feat appar-
emily is the direct result of either q mis-
understanding or preconceived plot on the
part of the presidents of both leagues.
Primarily the cause of the present
strained relations existing between the
American and National leagues was the
transfer of Norman Elberfeld. formerly OF
the Detroit club. to the New York Amer
lean League club.
This transfer may have been justifable,
but Harry Pulliam thought otherwise. and
since the transfer has SO expressed himself
on several occasions. Pulliam's stand in
the matter is certainly based on Il founda-
ton that is not altogether fanciful.
Under charge by the management of
his own team for conduct entirely unbecom-
ing ball player, Eberfeld was traded to
the New York team without having 4
chance to prove his innocence.
Manager Barrows of the Detroit club, in
an open letter. practically accused Fiber
field of throwing games TO the St. Louis
American League team. and Immediately
after the alleged crooked work by Eiberfeld
laid him of without pay.
a deal was then fixed UP whereby E!ber-
teld was turned over TO the New York
american League club in exchange for
Long and Courtney. two infelders.
ELBBRFELD CHARGES.
Manager Barrows never fully proved the
charges against Elberfeld nor mas the lat
ter rid himself CT the pointing finger of
suspicion.
made no open protest, but it was common
~ understood that the exchange met with
his hearty disapprGval.
John T. Brush, who has caused more or
less turmoil in baseball, finding PulIiam in
this mood. instantly began TO work on the
National Leagues able president ard final
~ got the latter to consent to allow him
TO play George Davis. a player who has long
been In dispute, with tho New York
National League team. Of which Brush is
The playing of Davis by the New York
CLUB was certainly a display of poor juds-
ment on the part of those concerned in the
matter. johnson. the American League
chief executive, loudly protested against the
step, but the powers that be in the National
League turned n deaf ear 10 JohnSon's pro-
test. and at least showed much dscourteSy
to Johnson in disresarding his protest.
Johnsons protest was well founded, even
though he had made slight mistake in al
lowing the transfer of Norman Elberfeld
to the Invaders"
AT the peace Conference in Cincinnati last
December the status OF players was fully
decided on. and George Davis was awarded
to the Chicago American League Club.
For some ineXpicable reason Davis re-
fused to seriously consider the Chicago man
agement and did not report to them for
spring practice
Davis for nearly three months refused to
do any business with the Chicago manage
ment, but continually showed preference
for the New York Nationals.
Although 1t has never been proven, 1t has
been alleged many times that Davis has
not suffered financially by his buIheaded
stand. According TO some. Brush has handed
to Davis his pay envelope on every regular
pay day Whether this be true or not. Da-
Wis has been able to live handsomely with
out working.
DAVIS IN THE COURTS.
At the present writing 1t looks as though
the matter will be taken TO the courts the
straining Elberfeld from playing in New
York City. while the Chicago management
Is after a similar restraining order 10 keep
Davis out of the fray in Chicago; ,
The peculiar phase Of the whole situation
Is the fact, that Pulliam. the National .,,a
League head, is not backed W by all the
Hermann Of Cincinnati. F. deHaes Robi-
SON of St, Louis and Jim Hart OF CHICAGO
Pulliam made a mistake in awartiing
Davis to the New York club President
Robson of the local National League club
went further than his colleagues IN eX-
pressing his disapproval by writing Puiliam
a brief but pointed letter pointing out 10
the leagues head an its mi .ia leaves the Ma
tfonal League divided against itself. With
Hermann. Robson and Hart against the
head OF the leasue.
Dreyfuss Ebbetts and the Boston bunch
on the SIDE OF the president Of their organ
The American League forces are prac-
tically a unit. Not a member has expressed
disapproval of Johnson's action in the
So far the matter has only been verbal
and epistolary battle. each SIDE INDUCING
freely in the use of strong language
II an open rupture happens the war prob
sbly will be the fiercest ever waEed in the
history of the national game. with neither
Thts will not have a beneficial effect on
the game. and may result in damaging the
sport beyond repair.
PLAYERS MAY JUMP.
II tina open fight comes the players will
indulge in jumping feats that will make the