The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1908-01-21

professional baseball and never will go to
see another game as long as l live. This
is as strong a statement as | can make.
The political side of baseball has got to
be on the level, or l will have nothing to
do with the game"
Pulliap, in one sense, has taken a
noble stand, fighting for the ball-players,
with the possible result Of sacrificing his
position, which carries with 1t national
prestige and a handsome yearly income.
But the question is this: Is Pulliam en-
tirely in the right, and did the minor
leaguers trespass the rules of organized
baseball? What the outcome of the issue
will be is n problem. 1t is scarcely likely,
however, that Pulliam will be compelled
to resort to the extremes he names and
the rival factions will probably come to
an amicable agreement before long. 1t
Is necessary In order to preserve organized
baseball and organized baseball is neces-
sary for the success OF the game.
Puliiam's statement reads as follows:
The other day when l issued a state
ment ON the matter OF the now celebrated
blacklist Of the National Commission.
was my purpose. Had those at whom this
statement was directed confined them
selves to the truth IN their reply, L
would have remained silent, but they have
not, and therefore l take this measure
of trying to set this issue clearly before
the baseball public.
The signed statement as submitted by
+. T. Powers, president Of the National
Association, and presented in the New
York papers, was interesting, If true, but
not being true, 1t follows that 1t could
not be interesting From the standpoint
of wit, it was dead. 1t contained no airy
persifiage added nothing to the gaiety of
nations and was a labored, heavy docu-
ment.
in Powers's communication of January
There is no blacklist, but there is an
Ineligible list
Please mark his words. l submit to
any poor immigrant boy who slaves by day
in sweat shops on the East Side and goes
to school by night that the resolution as
adopted by the National Association In
October. 1907, is a blacklist pure ana
simple.
Quotes from the STAR.
ION Thursday, January IL, in THE
MORNING STAR of Newark, N. j., there
appeared an authorized interview with z.
T. Powers. He stated that us a result OF
The compact with the Tri-State League,
tw enty-two ball players were. doomed ~
remain for life in that organization; and
quoting from his own words-he says:
Now then, on top Of that agreement
to which the National Commission was a
party, the latter body has turned round
and reinstated some of these players. Docs
that action d~ovetail with the original
agreement
7'On January 1e p. T. Powers spoke by
the ard. He simply reiterated the state
ment made over the signature of Il. L..
M%urnane, president of the New England
League, ADD a IN of the National
Board of Arbitration of the National AS
ISOLATION, that has the power to define the
status of ball players. as we'll as enforce
Chicago Record Herald and the Cincinnati
Enquirer, and | quote his words:
1.-THE National Commission has now re
instated, four men who were on the in
eligible list for jumping contracts, Dein'
niger, Hayden, Campbell and Wiltse
Four aces, as it were, back In the bust
ness. are to he allowed to play with or
ganiDed baseball the country over (meaning
Hayden) and the other three still handi-
capped and barred from the National AS
ISOLATION
''There was n reason for this qualifica-
ton in this statement of that cAiyllrous
Gaul from the sunny cltmes of. france,
because the man he excepted from the
National Association blacklist, Hayden,
was the mai who was reinstated at the
urgent request OF the Boston American
League club. owned by theua present en-
plOyer Of Chevalier Murnane. Marquis
of the beautiful Rhone, also spoke by the
card, because, quoting from the report OF
the New York Globe on the action OF the
National Association in creating TINS
blacklist. the Globe reporter said;
'Burnham and O'Rourke created the
blacklist order because both have what
they consider just cause for grievance;
O'Rourke is determined that having made
his bed thai player must lie on it"
Burnham's grievance was with Lew
Wiltse. the former Brooklyn pitcher, and
a brother of the New York twirler.,
I'm conclusion. / note that p. T. Powers
takes great satisfaction. in publishing
ire adcast a statement from the Hon
August Hermann, chairman Of the Ma
tional Commission. in which Mr.. Hermann
defended his (Powers) position. That tact
does not surprise me, notwithstanding that
I have three letters from Mr.. Hermann.
xy,r{ttpp In Natanhpr affair the action OF
the National Association, in which he says
over his signature that the action OF the
National Association was unwarranted ana
would not be allowed TO go unnotlcea by
the National Commission.
Slap at Hermann.
"Mr. Hermann is a politician great
politician-and that explain the reason
why he takes n different position in jan
uary, 1908, to chat In November, 1907. Who
ever saw a politician stand hitched to any
proposition for a period Of three months?
I never did. AS a weather prophet the
genus politician can give the United States
Weather Bureau cards and spades IN
ascertaining which way the VII blows
I'm conclusion, I want to say that my
position in this matter Is fixed and irrev-
ocable. I don't care how many. times
Mr.. Hermann changes his coat like the
chameleon changes It's color. l know only
one system OF life, and that is to play
tho game in the open and deal the cards
above the table.
THE issue is now Joined. It is mp. to
the powers that be to make the decision.
! realize full well that my position Is not
secure, because l have offended those who
sit in the seats OF the mighty. II l go
down in defeat, I Will retire from the
game. that l have served faithfully for
fourteen years with out regret. I Will
have that that I had when I entered the
have in addition the gratitude Of the ball
player-the clean ball player-who knows
what I risked 10 preserve his rights; and
| will have also the respect and confidence
of the great ball public, who believe that
the politics of the game should be played
ms Clearly and fairly in the legislative
halls as in the anne itself on the diamond.
so. therefore, II seemingly defeated, the
victory will be mine. Respectfully.
"HARRY c. PULLIAM,
president National League
AArnnc cr IN EcrrnM