Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-06
JoHNSoN's HOT SHOT.
American Leagues President Replies
to Mr.. PulHam.

American Leagues PIooA0SAS AsoeAAs'
to Mr. Pulham.
Harry Pulliam. the youthful president OF
the National League. got 1t coming ana
going Saturday. President Johnson OF the
American League made public his answer
to Pulliam's letter regarding the DAVIS
case and the answer in no uncertain way
calls down Puliiam and his league for their
alleged untenable position. Then to top It
OF, President Hart Of the Chicago National
League Club fled a formal protest against
the playing of Davis In Chicago. and asked
that the league as q whole act on the pro-
test.
That another war In base bail is serious
ly threatened IS shown by the attitude OF
both johnson and Hart. johnson concludes
his communication to Pulliam by saying
that the American League Will enter into
no further agreement with the National
League until the American League KNOWS
what to expect from the compact signed AZ
Cincinnati This practically breaks on re-
and his hackers recede from tneaf pfeseA'
position of population
President Hart says that mo executive
in my opinion, Is strong enough to over
ride the wishes OF . majority OF three IN an
without giving the entire organization
which he represents a chance to take ac-
ton on his position.
Still. again. Hart said: Puiham mas
broken the peace treaty and n leaves me In
the dark as to the status OF my property.
I do not know whether war or peace now
exists. The American League at this mo-
ment may be signing my players: ano In
my opinion they would have perfect right
to do so under the circumstances.
President Johnson's letter to PuInam.
which is document which may prove
epoch-making in base ball history, Is, IN
part, as follows:
."There was never a question raised in re-
gard to Norman Elberfeld OF the Detroit
club, nor was there any room for discussion
in regard to this player. He was an asset
of the Detroit club. The peace agreement
placed no restrictions upon Mr. Angus. and
he was free to make any exchange Tor Ell
berfeld that would work for the benefit OF
his team Conceding nothing. and to en-
phasize the fact that no trades would pc
entertained for Davis and Delehanty. told
you the players must go to the cities where
they had been assigned. Is there any rea-
son why the New York National League
club should have been consulted as to the
disposition of these men? Both were legally
bound to American League clubs when they
signed contracts with Brush. 1t was the
spirit of the peace conference at Cincinnati
to blacklist both men for the good OF base
ball.
these facts are known: George Davis
has a business contract with the Chicago
American League club for the season of
1903. The members Of the peace commits
sion recognized that Davis was legally
bound to the Chicago club. and made the
award accordingly. The New York Ma
tional League club has tempered with the
player and prevented his fulfilling the con-
tract with the Chicago Club.
George Davis expressed desire to come
here on the 10th Of last May and fulnn his
Chicago contract. Money and transporta-
ton were sent him. but at the eleventh
hour he changed his mind. It was the
Brush influence and the New York club
money that kept him from reporting. AS
made to bring him to Chicago. It then de-
veloped that 1t would be necessary for the
Chicago American League club to pay out
something more than 81 800 in order to
cancel Davis obligations to the New York
National League club. You know some of
the above facts as laid them before you
some weeks ago. Did you warn Brush that
he was violating the Cincinnati agreement?
Read carefully the peace agreement a
simple and straightforward document and
you will appreciate how absurd is your
decision in the Davis case.
Il have your letter requesting that meet
you and Mr.. Powers the latter part of this
month In New York to take steps in the
framing OF a new national agreement. The
American League will enter into no further
agreements with the organization you rep
resent until we know just what we are to
expect from tho compact signed at Gin
cinnat in January last and later ratified
unanimously by both leagues"