Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-21
"pE1" MUST PLAY HERE.
Presidents of Both Leagues Issue
Orders to Delehanty and Davis.

The National League is prepared to make
a legal fight against George Davis playing
with a National league club. This was
contained In an official announcement re-
gariing the Davis and Delehanty cases.
made yesterday by President Pulliam of the
National League. Davis Is to make legal
fight to play with the New York Nationals
and as two can play at this game, the Ma
tional League. respecting the Cincinnati
peace conference, will fight Davis In the
courts, If necessary. There Is food for
thought for players pf the Davis and Dele
hanty sort in the statement by President
Puliian, which follows:
1.-THE position Of the National League to-
ward George Davis and E. T. Delehanty is
this: I'd -
'Neither man will be eligible to play in
leased from the contractual obligations with
the clubs holding contract with him. The
fact that George Davis is now practicing
with the New York club or the fact of any
litigation, friendly or otherwise, between
Davis and the New York club, will not
operate to change the attitude Of the Ma
tional League in this matter until it is de-
creed by court Of last resort that this po-
sition of the National League shall be
changed. Then, and not till then, will 1t
change.
The National League is prepared to
maintain Its position in the courts in this
sci its reason for its action. There was no
secrecy, chicanery or unfair dealing at the
peace conference OF the committees repre-
senting the Natfonh League and the Amer
lean League in Cincinnati. The National
League, which ratified the action Of this
peace conference satea subsequent meeting
in Cincinnati, and which action was unani-
nous. has nothing to Gbe ashamed of and
nothing to conceal. Its entire action was
dominated by a desire to restore order In
base ball and to put this professional sport
on clean, sportsma Mike and honorable
basis and save organized base ball from
impending ruin. The rights Of no man were
teopardized.
In the case Of Davis it. only asks him to
live up to q contract Rentered into by him
and drawn up by his own attorney. There
Is no hardship here other than asking a
man to do what he contracts to do. When
Davis entered into this contract with the
Chicago club he repudiated q moral. IL not
legal. obligation to Andrew Freedman,
late president of the New York base bali
club. He elected to do this and leave New
York to go to Chicago, and all that the
peace committee and the Nationai League
by its ratification asks him to do fs to live
up to this. 1f
THE reason why, the two base ball legaues
got together In a. peace conference at Gin
cinnati was because that. owing to the So
called base ball war, the expenses of main
tanning ball clubs were reaching a ruinous
figure, and the anomaly presented itself Of
dishonorabie players receiving extortionate
salaries at the expense of the honorable
loyal players of the profession. To do away
with this state Of affairs the conference at
Cincinnati was held and Its proceedings
speak for themselves.
If. as result Of any litigation to ensue
1t shall be established by the courts that a
player Is justified in repudiating an obliga-
tion one year and then wrapping himself In
Its folds another year to shield himself in
wrongdotng, 1t will be sad day for profess
sional base ball. because 1t will mean to
capital that disorder, double dealing and
worthless contractual obligation will prevail,
and with the many avenues open In leg1ti-
mate ventures 1t Will cause capital invested
In professional base ball to be withdrawn
In panic. 1t will be sadder day for the
honorable professional, who only seeks a
legitimate means Of selling his skill and
labor on fair and liberal basis"
President Johnson of the American
League. who Is still in New York. supple
mented Pulliam's manifesto with the state
ment that Davis and Delehanty will not
even be traded to the New York Americans
who have been trying to get both of these
men for the last ten days.
Davis will have to live up to his con-
tract with Chicago or remain idle" said
johnson. 'and the ease of Delehanty Is the
same He will play in Washington or not
at all. Neither will be allowed to get away
from the personal contract he signed last:
year. 1t Is matter Of principle. and for
that reason say that the New York Amer
leans need not make any further efforts
to secure their releases"
1t would seem to be up to John 7, Brush
to define the exact position of the New York
Nationals in regard. to the rebellious be-
havior of the two players In question