Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-20
Local Officials Home From
American League Meeting.
TREATED HANDSOMELY
PRESIDENT JOHNSON ON MINOR
LEAGUE SITUATION.
Virginia and Georgetown Make Up
Spring Races Near at Hand-ln-
door Tennis and Racquets.

President Noyes and Secretary Minor of
the Washington Base Ball Club returned
home from the New York meeting of the
American League late Saturday afternoon.
Both gentlemen were highly pleased with
their treatment by their fellow magnates.
il being their first experience at SUCH
gathering President Noyes devoted most
of his time hobnobbing with the other mag
rates and looking after the politics or the
game while Secretary Minor conferred
with the many managers OF the dinerent
clubs who were present. There was no I'M
portant news developed OF interest to the
Washington fans although plans were
set on foot which will bring certain players
10 this city If necessary.
There was something of a sensation
eated at the meeting Friday when trio
of Philadelphia gentlemen presented them
selves and notified President Johnson that
they stood ready to purchase the WASH
ington club at once. It was the UNDER
standing of these gentlemen that the own
ers of the Washington club had been given
until last Friday to buy the stock In the
hands Of the American League ana assume
all It's obligations. They had not peen
notified that the deal had gone through
with the present owners in a very satisfac-
tory manner and that President Johnson
and his fellow magnates were highly pleased
over the fact that the club was at last
in the hands of local stockholders. The
Phiiadelphlans had gone to the trouble 10
organize a company and two OF them nad
made arrangements TO move TO TINS city
and become residents of the District In the
event of securing the club.
The reported deal between Boston, WASH
ington and Milwaukee whereby Huelsman
comes to this city in exchange for y Nel!i
and Mccormick, the developments or Wmch
were said to have been started through the
Nla,,t Pony "a
Huelsman never belonged to Boston, and
therefore could not be turned over TO Mil
waukee as promised. President Taylor was
given TO understand that he could buy
owners secured the local club all deals
were instantly called off. AS the case stands
now O'Neill and Mccormick may finally
drift into the Milwaukee camp, but 1t Will
be after 1t has been decided that they are
not wanted here. Manager Jake Stahl no
titled President Moves to hold on to Huels-
man and the big fellow will assuredly start
the season IN a Washington uniform:
The deal for Second Baseman Mullin has
already been told, and the terms whereby
Catcher Hayden comes to this city will
shortly be agreed upon with the Chicago
club.
The magnates of the different American
clubs did everything in their power to show
Messrs Moves and Minor that they were
welcomed to their organization and. when
ever possible, the new magnates from TINS
city will be given helping hand. All or
the clubs have excellent players under con-
troll for next season and many will have
To be turned back to minor leagues after
the regular teams have been decided upon
IL is understood that these players Will all
he given a chance to play in this city, 1r
wanted. before being relegated once more
to he minors. This situation speaks vol
Umes for the friendly spirit and solidlty
Of the American League and Will asSuredly
strcngt hen the different clubs wonderfully.
President Moves that the umpireS
Were given strict orders to enforce the Dalk
rule the coming season, and also TO see that
The pitchers boxes are on level With the
rest of the infield. These rules handicapped
the National League pitchers in a marked
degree last season, and 1t Is believed that
it VIII greatly increase base running ana
also help the batters fully 20 per cent in
the American.
Before leaving New York for home Sat
lrday night President Johnson said:
The minor leagues have nobody to blame
but themselves. They were represented
here by men who were looking out for their
bwn personal interests and who muddled
things In most unfortunate way. l have
the opinion of many persons interested In
minor league clubs that the proposition
made by us yesterday was perfectly fair.
As the National League had approved of it
beforehand. the minor leagues stood alone
In their opposition to il. 1t would have been
good policy on their part to have accepted
II. but IL Is too late now. The American
League has been fair TO the minors at all
times. and Will be fair in the future: but l
cannot say that the minors have been fair
no rs. AS the case stands now, the minor
leagues are not In harmony with one an
other. and have not bettered themselves a
particle. in spite OF the fact that they had
an extraordinary chance TO do so yester-
day.
Base ball should enjoy a greater boom
this year than ever before. The American
league race. I believe. will be just as in
teresting as last year. if not more so, as all
of the teams have been strengthened. Pub
lie sentiment in this city. far as the
Americans are concerned has changed Won
derfully. and l think Clark Griffith and his
men will enjoy the most liberal patronage
in the future. They have had an uphill
fight for popularity. but that has been
nearly won now. 1t will be time soon to
begin the campaign on the diamond, and
then base ball politics can take a back
Scat"