The St. Louis Republic., 1903-10-27
WORK OF THE COMMISSION.
Absolute Right of Major League L
Drnft PLAYERS Conceded.

Cincinnati. Oct 26-The Natia!aI Com
mission, with Chairman August Herr
mann, Secreary J. Z. Bruce, Harry c.
Pulliam, president OF the National League
and Ban B. Johnson, president Of the
American League, present, was in session
here all day and adjourned tonight with
out taking action on the cases of Ambrose
Putnam. John Hickey. L. S Quick
Arthur Devlin. Charles Jones. Gus Dun
don. o. J. Ferry, NJ. Mcintyre, John J.
Dillon. Z J. DOnavan, Mcpherson, Terry
and Mr.. LaudenslaEer.
Among those who appeared before the
commission during the day were President
Z T. Powers and Secretary ! H. Fdrrei
OF the National Association Of Minor
leagues; II. W. Lucas, president Of the
Pacific National League: T. H. Murnane
president Of the New England League; II.
IasTS r. a'I f. r. P.eTsGfRs BGfRe r Briee VIII WIT
lam ClyneT. Robert Quinn. Columbus. o.;
T. G. Grifiiths. J. J. Nevtn, William Muir
ray, Jersey City; Edward Hanlon, ISalu-
more: W. W Burnham, Newark, y. j.;
George Stallings. Buffalo; George Tebeau.
Louisville; Edward BarrOws. Detroit, and
W. N. kavauaugh.
MAJOR LEAGUES DRAFTING RIGHTS.
The most important work was the de-
cision establishing the absolute right Of
the major leagues to draft players from
the minor leagues, and when this matter
Nd< -FLlleu II carried WIN II results AZ
fectiHE most OF the twenty-One contests
presented for players. The claims for
August Doerner. drafted by Cleveland
from Columbus and claimed by Decatur,
Tho first case decided was that Of Ros-
COc Miller. a pitcher. awarded 10 the Pitts
burg Nationals instead OF the New York
Americans
James Cockman and E b. Kaufman
claimed to have been purchased by the
Ihladelphia Nationals. we're awarded to
Milwaukee. Two additional rules. Nos. q
and -, were added to the national agree
mont
Rule "A provides that each club must
send TO the secretary of the National
Commission before August 20 in each year
a list of its purchased players. and that
no one not on such list can ever be claimed
after that date.
No PURCHASE IN DRAFT PERIOD.
Rule . provides that there shall be no
purchases Of releases OF players made dur
ing the drafting period, and that such
purchases would not be allowed, as against
the draft Of any such players. 1t WIS hell
that section Of the National agreement
definite Interpretation was made, so that
the drafting period would be from Sep
tembeT to October Il. with no sales per
mitted during that time.
After the commission adjourned the fol-
lowing official document was given out:
COMMISSION MAKES STATEMENT.
Regarding the contention of committees
representing the National Association rel
ative to sales. agreements, purchases and
contracts for and with players for lsoi,
made prior to September II, 1905, it is
rontended by Messrs. Powers, Farrell and
Sexton the committee that represented
the National Association when the nation
al agreement was adopted. that all sales,
"a ar-rceneutg purchases and contracts for
and with PLAYERS for 1904 by club members
~ said association, made prior to Sep
tember II. 1903. the day of the adoption
Of the national agreement, are binding
and cannot be disturbed
Article Vi section 6, Of the National
agreement, providing for the drafting or
plavers does not apply TO these cases
The members Of the committee have
given this question a great deal Of con-
sideration and we are OF the unanimous
opinion that the contention OF the COM
rnittee OF the National Association with
respect TO this matter Is not lustliled by
any provision OF the National agreement
PLAYERS AWARDED.
Champ Osteen, awarded TO Washington
club. American League; Id A. Walsh.
awarded 10 Chicago. American League;
Thomas Jones. awarded 10 St Louis.
American League; James Deiehanty,
awarded 10 Boston. National League; Al
bert jacobson. awarded 10 washington.
American Lesguei Fred c. Raymer'