The Washington times., 1903-04-27
!. MONTGOMERY WARD
DISCUSSES DAVIS CASE
Says Player May Have TOGO
to Chicago on May l.
REPLIES TO BAN JOHNSON
Asserts That American League Presi-
dent Has Been Laboring Under
Misrepresentation All Along.
REPLIES TO BAN JOHNSON

NEW YORK. April 27-In reply to an
INJURY as to what were the true facts
in relation TO John N. Wards conuec-
ton with Davis contract business. and
also what explanation he had to make
il answer to President Johnsoa's crit
cism of him in Chicago paper, Ward
says:
yes. I saw what President Johnson,
of the American League, is represented
TO have said about me and my .connec-
ton with George Davis contracts John
son IS apparently labor ng under mis-
take. It is true that I drew the con
tract between Davis and the Chicago
American League club a yerr and hall
ago. Davis paid me for my. services ana
that ended my connection With that fea-
ture of the case
: about two months ago. after the de
cfsfou OF the conference committee al
I Iottfrg George TO Chicago. he came TO
me and showed me a contract with the
New York club for the season Of 1903
and 1904 calling for a salary consideTa-
bIv in excess OF that which was to have
been paid him under mis- Chicago con
tract. and asked for my advice He told
me that the New York club had come to
him last September and said that they
believed they had a valid and binding
contract with him made in 1901 for three
Years which therefore did not expire
until the end of the present season; that
under the Lajoic decision they were con-
WINGED that trey could restrain him
from PLAYING with the Chicago club, but
that If he would agree TO come 10 New
York without forcing them 70 take legal
proceedings they would make new con
r tract with HIM at an advanced salary :
: that under these circumstances ne had
made the new contract with The Ne"
york club. I told him that il was also
, my oDfrion that the New York club stiU
. had a claim TO his services under The
s Te'1 contract, that his contract with
J Chicago was also a valid contract. and it
4 Was therefore for him to decide which
2 club he intended to play with
? Wanted to Play in Gotham.
aHe replied that because Of the large
salary he wanted to play with New
YORK. that anticipating just some situa
'tfou as had arisen he had incorporates
i'm his New York contract a provision
thai the New York club would pay hin
his salary in any event. that he va
: willing to fulfill his part OF the agree
mont with New York. and therefor
: believed that he had a right TO lnsls
Il tuUon the payment or his New 4oT
= tsaIarv- With this end in view ad
$ vised him along lines whereby 1 beliey
he win be able to hold the New Yor
. club 10 its contract with him.
e IF the peace committee, OF the Ne
Il York club. OF any other baseball intiu
e Ienra forces him TO 20 10 Chicago
p don't think Davis will offer any strenu
" .ovs objection. so long as the New For
l. club paws him The salary il had agree
Ito pay. and in order TO protect hi
rights in this particular I have ad
! vIged him 10 remain in New York an
: .re3ort 10 the New York club for dut
until such time as the New York clul
Inv some overt act, does somethin
~ equivalent 10 o breach Of the contrae
- on its part H. fHr example. on Ma
{ the New York club refuses 10 pa
sr Davis his salary on that day that eli
II cumstance will be a breach after whic
r. Iit will not be Davis right. but h
St duty. TO accept the best offer made
ID him. This viii doubtless be the offer
,y the Chicago club
ia You may see. therefore, that I a
nv not advising Davis that his Chical
as contract is invalid. aud / am not advi
ing him TO break that contract; simp
be as his attorney ] am looking after h
as ir,taraets IN the best Of nv ability"
r.