The Washington times., 1907-04-07

team, appeared before the National Gem
mission today and argued his grievance
against the Washington club. President
Noyes and Manager Cantiiloa appeared
for Washington.
1t was a strenuous battle of oratory
and argument that lasted more than an
hour. Garry Hermann. chairman of the
commission, and Ban Johnson, president
OF the American League. were ,he MEM
hers present. Harry Puiliam, president
of the National League, being the abb
sentee. No decision was announced. but
it viii be made known in two or three
days. What the outcome VIII be is hard
10 say, but there is a strong prospect
that StahI will lose his appeal and re-
main the property of the Washington
club.
Sought Release on Two Grounds.
stahI Sought his freedom from his
present reserve on two grounds. The
first was that Washington had promised
him, at the end Of last season, that it
would send him to any club he might
select in the American League
The second was that having once been
. manager, and practically deposed, il
would be unbearable for him TO play ia
the same city under another man. and
That. therefore. Washington should be
compelled to accept the first reasonable
ofer for him.
In regard to the first proposition Stahl
told the members OF the commission thar
after looking over the ield he had de-
cided upon Boston as the place for him.
but that after he made his selection
known the Washington owners contu-
ar.sr.n nsr fn
offers of a trade from the City of Beans.
and had proposed such unreasonable
conditions that Boston could not accept,
and hence deal was never made.
Boston Made Two Offers.
Two trades we're offered by Boston.
one was of Grimshaw, the first base
man. and Harris. n pitcher, and the
al her was Grimshaw and UngIaub, the
ufility player, whose jumping 70 VII
Transport of the Tri-State League,
caused something of eommotion- StahI
claimed that either of these trades was
FAIR. but that Washington turned them
down and thereby practically broke the
agreement made with him at the end Of
last season.
His. second proposition, that Wash
ington be compelled 10 name a price
Tor him, was a novelty and stumped
the commission He argued how hard
II would be for a former manager. who
had been unsuccessful. TO play in the
e1ty Of his failure that IL would be
impossible for him 10 get a fair deal
from the fans. if he had the least hard
luck IN the field or al bat. and that he
should not be compelled to play UNI
der such a handicap
VIII Hardly Be Accepted.
The sentimental arguments in sup
port Of this are many, but the practi-
cal objections are so numerous that
there is hardly a chance that it will
be granted. AS pointed out in The Times,
the setting of such a precedent I'm the
case Of deposed managers would prae-
tically preclude any high-class player
getting the Job of directing club, for
In the event Of his nOn-success as a
manager the owners would have to sell
his services as a player
Lajoie, the greatest player in the
game, is a case in point. He has not
delivered the goods as manager and
Cleveland IS even now said to be con-
sidering the advisability of getting
man TO handle the team from the
bench. but it would practically ruin
the Cleveland club for the time to dis
pose of the Mighty Larry"
Boston's Offers Unreasonable.
President Noyes did most Of the talk
ing for Washington He claimed that
none Of the trades suggested by Bos-
ton was reasonable. and that his club
would let Stahl go when it got what
il considered his real value
Mr.. Moves said that StahFs action in
81 H. -.
in Boston had given that club the idea
il was gong to get him anyhow. and All
il would offer in the way Of exchange
for the former mar ager vas the cast
of material of a tan-end team.
Stah1 was considered a most promising
first sacker Tor whom there would be
several bidders, while Grimshaw was
not ranked as good enough for cellar
champs, and Unglaub was a most I'M
certain quantity in fast company. Pitcher
HAMS failed to make good last year
ana there was no reason 10 believe that
ne would be anything Of star this
season.
Washington Expects Decision.
Mr.. Noyes was very earnest in his re- (
marks. as he was convinced that if the /
commission decided in StahPs favor a /
serious blow would be struck at the re-
serve system and other players would be /
encouraged 10 hold out and trust to the /
commission u let them go where they
pleased
The opinion here is that Stahl will lose, 1
although it IS believed that he has the /
hearty support Of Ban Johnson. whose /
Vroteges ne has been for several years. /
Johnson has never overlooked an oppor- /
iunlty TO interfere with the washington /
club, and generally TO its disadvantage. /
This stahI affair IS right in his line and /
it would be perfectly natural for him to |
support the player against the club. re- /
sardless OF the damage that might be 1
done by the ruling.
StahI's View of Case.
stahl was around the Grand Hotel /
this afternoon talking to the members /
Of the Chicago White sox. whose game I
here TO-DAY with cipcinnati was called I
ef beeause of bad weather. He said /
he had no idea about the probable out
come OF his case. bat that all he had