Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-05
AMERICAN LEAGUE MEETING.
Magnates Get Together in Chicago
Next Wednesday.

On Wednesday next the American League
will begin its annual meeting in Chicago,
and the preliminary skirmishing and mend
ing Of fences for the campaign of 1903 viii
be on. In these piping days of peace the
meetings Of neither league are fraught with
much Importance to the grand army of
cranls. These semi-annual conclaves OF
the moguls are apt to become decidedly
perfunctory and prosaic affairs, at which
nothing is done to appeal to the partisan
spirit of the different heelers. Outside of
the length of the schedule and the probable
action of the delegates on the asinine foul
strike rule the various matters that may
be discussed will possess local interest only.
The long-drawn-out schedule of 154 games
was cunning piece of legislation on the
part Of John 7. Brush to stall off, In fact
to make practically impossible, series Of
games in cities in which both leagues are
represented. While Mr.. Brush accom-
plished his purpose, 1T was at a terrible loss
of prestige. Even his most stalwart parti-
sans on the New York dailies had to re-
treat under the fire Of public disapprovel
of his unsportsmanlike methods and come
out fiat-footed in favor of a post series OF
games Even Mr.. Brush had to bow to
that sentiment. He did so reluctantly, and
sought to hedge about the playing of the
games with conditions which were just as
absurd as they were superauous. Not since
the days of Hall, Craver, Devlin and Mich
OILS has the integrity Of the game been
questioned. From 1884 up to the 1ndianap-
oils amalgamation, series Of games was
played for the worlds championship
and the honesty of the contests was never
questioned. Barney Dreyfuss showed that
he was animated by the friendly feeling
which dominated the Cincinnati peace
meeting by playing Off with Boston in 1908,
when his team won the championship of
the National League, and again at the close
of last season, when he played series of
games with the Clevelanders, who finished
in the nOSitiOn in the American
League that Pittsburg did in the National
square craftsmanship, and though he lost
both series. he gained in the esteem of
the American people, who think as well of
a game loser as they do good winner.
1t is not likely that Mr. Brush will be
able to put through his extended season
schedule this season. Garry Hermann of
Cincinnati has put himself record as
being in favor of making provisions for a
series of inter-league games and he will
doubtless be cordially backed up by a ma
jority of the National League. An ex-
change of games between the two organi-
cations cannot but help stimulate interest
in the pastime. and 1t makes not a particle
of difference which league happens to win
the majority Of the games. To make a con-
vincing test Of strength II might be well to
postpone the playing Of the games until
the fall, when all the teams should be at
their best, and where the element of luck
would be less likely to affect results. At
this meeting. though, the American League
magnates can only make suggestions. The
length Of the schedule will have to be de-
termined later-at the spring meeting.