The Washington times., 1907-12-25

AS to how the American League got a
foothold in Chicago. just as the Ameri-
can Association now is trying, there are
many stories, it being the general i'm
preston that the Johnsonites entered
the Windy City in defiance of the Ma
tionaI League and without the permis-
sion of James A. Hart. whom G Webb
Murphy succeeded as chief owner Of the
Cubs.
The true story. which is told here for
the first time, according to the New
York Press is that the younger body
invaded the desired territory with the
permission Of the Chicago owner, but
against the wishes OF the National
League as body. Charles A. Comiskey
and Jim Hart were close friends in those
days, and never afterward were they
bitter enemies, though, thanks to the
old fogies who then controlled the des-
tInies OF the National League. Hart got
much the worst of the deal he made
with Commy whereby the Old Roman
entered a field in which he has accu-
mulated more money than he ever
dreamed OF possessing
How Deal Was Possible.
Comiskey, upon leaving Cincinnati
years ago. acquired the St. Paul fran
chise IN the Western League Qorerun-
ner Of the American) and found he could
make little money in the lesser of the
Twin Cities. He was Hart's recruiting
agent in the Western League, and at
the end Of the season OF 1899 announced
TO Jim that he would like to place a
club in Chicago. using the argument
that the American Association now is
advancing-that a minor league team
would not cut into major league
clubs patronage COmmy told Hart how
ST. Louis and Chicago were represented
in the Western Association of 1883 and
how Improbable these investments
were, each club having to be trans
ferred to other towns by June /.
Before Hort had chance to express
an opinion on the subject, the National
League. at its December meeting that
year. passed a. resolution that Il was
inadvisabl to allow a second club TO be
placed in Chicago But each National
League club then. as now, possessed
territorial rights, and 1t was in reality
up to Hart 10 say whether he would
brook a rival. and not to the National
League.
The Agreement.
Before the spring meeting of the
league in 1900 Hart and Comiskey had
arrived at an amicable understanding
on the matter. the American League re-
ceivirg Hart's permission to locate a
club on the South Side provided the
grounds were so many miles from the
lair of the Cubs, and that there would
be no conflicting Of dates. except on
Sundays Furthermore, it was agreed
and stipulated that should the National
League club Of Chicago decide to move
its grounds at any time the distance be-
ffa urlyu Il a q
observed. Consequently ComisScy took
a long chance on having to seek a new
location should Hart decide TO shift his
teams fireside.
For and in consideration of this per-
mission. Hart was to have each season
the pick Of the White Sox and was 70
be allowed to select one or two men,
paying for selections $1,000. The o-ig-
inaI occupancy Of Chicago territory by
the. American League was, therefore,
matter between Hart and Comiskey, in
which the National League aCquiesceu
simply because II had TO do so.
T'cssbacks Precipitated War.
At the end Of the first season Hart
selected the men he wanted from the
Sox-one of whom was Roy Patterson,
the St. Croix wonder-but before Hart
had a chance to complete the negOtia-
tions. the mossback section Of the Ma
tlonal League had so spUrned Ban
Johnson in his proposition to take the
vacant territory Of Washington and
Baltimore off its hands, and Col. John
7. Rogers had tossed so many fits be
cause the American League wanted to
place a second club IN Philadelphia,
that there was nothing for the eXpan-
sionists 20 do except to go il alone.
which they did, to the CONSERVATION Of
the National LeaSuers and the ultimate
benefit Of the baseball public
Hart always asserted that even IL the
American and National lea gues were at
war he was entitled TO get the men spec
fled in his contract with Comiskey, but
Patterson. one of the players Hart par
ticularly desired. steadfastly refused 70
leave COnmy. who had discovered him
and for whom he has always worked
since he became a professional Hart
reward at the time open hOsulities were
declared was to have Comiskey come
in and grab Mertes, Griffith and Gala
han from the Cubs, or Orphans, as they
HT4ak--