The Washington herald., 1907-12-30
WANT CHICAGO CLUB
American Association Would
Change Circuit.
WILL ASK FOR PERMISSION
President O'Brien Appointed Conn
mittee of One to Confer with Ma
tional Commission and Try TO Ar
range DeaI-LittIe Likelihood OF
Major Leagues Consenting.

Chicago. Dec. 29.-The American Asso-
citation Of Baseball Clubs has at last gone
on record as favoring a change in its
present circuit so that Chicago will have
place on the list.
At the annual meeting at the Audi
torium Annex this afternoon it was de-
cided that such change would be en- ex-
cellent move. and President ]. d. O'Brien,
OF Milwaukee, was appointed a committee
of one to confer with the national COM
mission at its meeting in Cincinnati on
January and try to arrange such a deal.
On the surface this looks like a good
start for the invaders, sut it is really an
easy way Of letting the association out
OF a stiff BLUM, without admitting that it
is retreating. The Sdea Of the national
commission considering the proposition
was laughed at by President Ban John
son. Of the American League. VIII. d.
ciares that proposition TO give up terri
torial rights in Chicago or any other city
must be decided by a vote of the eighteen
clubs in the two major leagues.
President Comiskey, of the local Amer
lean League club. does not think the
American Association has any chance to
get permission to put a team in Chicago.
President Murphy of the National
League, viii not discuss the matter.
Sworn 20 Secrecy.
Before the meeting was called to order
the invading faction did no end Of talk
ing. Among other things was the plac-
ing Of the Louisville team in Cleveland.
The talk question was apparently one of
the principal topics OF conversation at to-
days meeting, for when the meeting had
adjourned mum was the word on every
hand. The magnates have decided. no
doubt, on what action they will take.
but have sworn solemnly not 10 tell
what it is until after the national com
mission and the major leagues have
given a. final answer
AFTER the meeting was adjourned the
magnates made haste 10 get back to their
homes. In answer 70 the questions as TO
the latest invasion news. each-one re-
fused 10 talk and referred 10 President
OBrien as the official talking machine
OF the association for the next few davs
outside OF the action on the invasion
or Chicago, little Of interest was done bv.
the association NJ. Z. Cantillon. Of Min
heapoHs was reelected vice president
ana George Tebeau was again Selected
aS chairman OF the board of directors.
A schedule committee composed of
Thomas Bryce. OF Columbus; NJ f Can
tllon, OF Minneapolis and George Tebeau
or Kansas City, was appointed on sched-
aie, and instructed to arrange a list Of 154
games The season will start April 15.
To Arrange Schedule.
President Johnson has called a meeting
of the American Leagues schedule com
mittee to confer with the National
Leagues committee at Cincinnati on Jam
uary Z. following the meeting of the
national commission in Redand. The
absence Of John l. Taylor in California
makes necessary the appointment Of a
substitute, and Frank Farrell. of New
Aork' has been named to act with Messrs.
johnson and Hedges for the American in
joint session with Messrs. Dreyfuss. Herr
mann. and Ebbetts of the National
League.
President Murphy, Of the Cubs. has
written Chairman Hermann. Of the na-
uonal commission, suggesting a rule de-
signed TO remove one Of the hardsbips
against which minor lea6Ue club owners
complain. That is the traffic in drafted
payers at profit 10 the majors.
Nhiie the majority of major clubs fre-
quentIy accept smaller than the draft
prices for surplus players. there have
Deen instances in which major clubs
nave held out for more money tba, thcv
paid Tor drafted players before returning
them 10 minor clubs. II is Mr.. Murpbv's
belet that the abuse Of the draft priv-
ilege should not be allowed in tha. wav
and that when a drafted player Is found
10 De too inexperienced for fast company
lhe major league club should be willing
10 surrender claim to him for what was
paid for thar claim, ~