The Washington times., 1904-01-23
MAJOR LEAGUES
AGAIN At ODDS
"New York Will Play Sun
day Ball." Says Johnson.
FARRELL ALSO DETERMINED
Invaders and Giants Likely to Have
Conflicting Dates This
Season.
FARRELL ALSO DETERMINED

President Ban b. johnson. of the
American League, who is now in New
York, announces that the season will
open in New York April Ia. Boston meet
ing New York On April IS New York
VIII open a series in Philadelphia
President johnson had several confer
ences with Frank Farrell. owner of the
3 Greater New York club. and also con-
ferred with President Barney Dreyfuss
OF the Pittsburg club. on the scheG-
ules 20 be adopted by both the National
and American leagues
There is likelihood OF a war between
the two major leagues over the Ridge
wood matter. Both President Johnson
and Mr.. Farrell are thoroughly con-
vinced they are right in the stand the
New York Americans have taken on
the Sunday question, and a stiff hight
viii be made before the national COM
mission on the Sunday privilege.
Manhattan Never Mentioned.
President Johnson says about the
y American Leagues right to play in
Ridgewood.
There has been a misconstruction
put on the American Leagues stand in
regard to it's rights under the peace pact
Ito locate in Greater New York The
borough of Manhattan was never men
toned in the transaction. Brooklyn
was. and we have no right to enter
Brooklyn But that is the only borough
we are barred from under the peace
agreement The Giants have just as per-
feet right TO play Sunday. games at
Ridgewood as we have. President Herr
mann has placed himself on record by
saying he thinks the Brooklyn clubs
protest is well taken, and he has placed
himself in an awkward position ny so
doing.
The much-talked-of telegram that I
received from Hermann. in which 1 am
reported as answering. We only want
Manhattan has been misconstrued. 1
received telegram from Hermann ask
ing me If we would confine ourselves
to Manhattan I answered back, and 1
have a copy of the telegram: Under no
consideration Will the American League
iconsent to change in the national
agreement. We will have grounds on
Manhattan Island
we would have been foolish to bind
ourselves to Manhattan Island. 1t was
only nine days after the meeting of the
peace commission that we lost an
chance of getting the Lenox Avenue
rognds we eO now % have 'aT on 0oI Wssbineton i'm t0
Heights and also in the Bronx We
certainly would not waive our rights to
q the Bronx location, so how could
we agree to eonfine ourselves to Man.
haitian Island alone2 IL is ridiculous
We were not absolutely sure even OF
the washington Heights grounds then.
We only waived rights in Brooklyn
Now, the Brooklyn grounds are in Kings
county and Ridgewood Park IS in
Queens. We have a perfect right to
play there as we claim II we are wrong
In our contention. however. we will bow
gracefully and accept the adverse de-
cisiou. but We certainly consider we
have the best Of the argument.
Willing to Divide.
Again" continued President Johnson,
1--WE are perfectly willing to divide the
Sundays with the Brooklyn Club. Moth
ing could be fairer than that. We viii
give them Ridgewood every Sunday we
have not contracted for. and it appears
TO me as IL that would be the easiest
way out or the difficulty.
The original place OF meeting of na-
tfonal commission was set for Cincinnati
on February II, but am Of the opinion
that il will be held In New York city.
This is where the chief interest in the
case is. and i think both Presidents
Hermann and Pullfam win agree to
the change. shall advocate it..
Presidents johnson and Dreyfuss will
further consider the schedule. 1t is said
that the National Lea que schedule pre-
pared by Mr.. Dreyfuss. calls for the
Bostons 10 open at the Polo Grounds on
April Il. AS the Giants opened the sea-
son IN New York last year, Owner Far
rell is OF the opinion that IL is the High
landers' turn To have their opening in
Gotham this year. There is liable 70 he
a clash at the start on this important
question, for the opening day in the
metropolis Is a big plum.
President johnson Will remain in New
York city until Sunday when. with Man
ager Hanlon, he will leave for Califor-
MIA They will meet President Hart. OF
the Chicago Club, in Chicago and the
three viii be a committee TO endeavor
20 get the California League, which Is
nov. an outlaw orga nization. TO join or
Ranized baseball.
War or No War
Frank Farrell is still firm I'm his de-
termination 70 play Sunday ball at
Ridgewood with the Highlanders. war or
no war.