The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-18
PULL|AM DECLARES
WAR ON POWERS

Harry c. Pulliam. president OF the Ma
tonal league, yesterday declared war on
President Pat L. Powers, the president or
the National Association of Professional
Baseball Clubs Mr., Pulliam gave out q
scathing statement in which he criticised
Mr.. Powers for blacklisting 22 players
in the minor leagues. Mr.. Pulliam In
sists that a resolution passed by the Ma
ticnal association last fall blackisted
certain men. although Mr.. Powers has
Il am done with Powers forever" said
Pulliam, "and cannot understand his un-
just action. / will fight this matter to the
end. even IL II costs me my position at
the head OF the National league
MINORS MUST OBEY.
"rhe minors must obey the orders of
the National commission Just as tne
Giants did In tho recent fine Tor forfeit
ing games in New Orleans, and If cam
not make them obey / will get out. We
have given the minors everything they
asked for raising the drafting price from
drafting rate. and they viii find they will
be heavy losers by lighting the big
leagues. who pay them thousands for men
every year. II war comes comes tnry t o,hl wil
find we can take their players LOT hoih-
ing; ,a oo., ,,,o 90 haso-
ball. and will fight just as hard FOR the
magnates when they are right as for the
helpless players when they are being un-
Justly treated.
Powers has no right to blacklist these
men directly or indirectly. as a simple Pc
rusal OF the rules will show him.
Mr.. Pulliam's written statement In part
is as follows:
National association. BY O'Rourke Re
solved. That all National association
players adjudged guilty or the onense
known as contract jumping ana placed on
the ineligible list by the National ;tsso-
ciation shall be forever debarred from
playing with any club OF the National as
ISOLATION, excepting the Tri-State league'
and that the National commission is mere
by respectfully requested TO enforce TINS
rule of law with strict and innexible i'm,
partlality to major league players
Adopted.
Powers says that conditions are intol-
erable. Powers says rightly. The condi-
tlons are intolerable when n great Dig
body like the Nationhl assoclation, dLo hah1 sa,,
ing command OF 200 cities and JOp pan
players, can sink so low that a nhere n
handful OF men can use II 10 vent 'helr
spite. -.
where major league ball players are con-
cerned the National commission relnsiates
those players that are wanted Dy eItnef
tho American or National league. foW-
ors knew this was a misstatement When
he uttered il. He knew That Sebring, one
OF the best ball players in the country
was denied reinstatement not only once;
INT twice when the Chicago National
League club was ready 10 take nIih anu ailu
mt hin, upon its team. He knew that
the petitions OF owens and Reisllng OF
Rrool<lyn were refused. lie knew that tne
uetition OF Ward. OF Philadelphia was
refused. He knew why they were re-
fused; because these men were not tight
and II was not yet time TO extend leni.
cnry TO them, for they had not condoheo
their offenses. - .,.,.o~s
While admitting that the ball players
,nd the nress have been allowed TO labor
under a wrong impression for two months,
Mr.. Powers contends that the Natlohai
commission has not acted fairly loWaru
the National association, ana ne Is Nory
bitter i'm his denunciaton OF tne sui. e'iiu a.,
court OF baseball for the manner ia
which he claims the rights OF the MINOR
leagues have been neglected ,,,
.S,hcre is no occasion Tor MT fatIsA
IN reply to Pulliam's TRADE. sald MI.
Powers. land don't expect him TO lower
his dignity by answering an unlouhueus
charge Pulliam has habit or going OH
at half-cock and in this case he negiect-
ed. as usual. 10 equip hlnseii WIN i"'''
before no began talking; ....~,oo,-
"But IL Mr.. Farrell chooses 10 oNeriooh
Mr. Pulliain's charge. i don't L want 10
say something. and don't care s how
strong YOU make IT. i do not cohslucr
that the National association mas over"
stepned the rights it is supposed 10 pos,
sess under the terms OF the national
ngreement | do not admit that the COM
mission has any right TO prevent our or
ganization from Furnishing minor ieasue
Offenders We settel many cases IN o,l our
various leagues. The Natonai coinnms
sion Is practically n court OF last resort
and has no business meddnng IN our al
fairs unless appealed TO-
o-s.r The Ncws-DcmOcrat left at