Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-28
WILD RUMORS IN
BASE BALL WORLD
Philadelphia Deal May Dis
rupt the National
League.


" Murphy Of the Chicago club has
raused a sensation in base ball circles and
aseady rumors of serious complications
are in the air The attitude of Ban
Johnson. president of the American
League, toward the possible election OF
John VI. Ward 10 the presidency Of the
National League instead of John A.
Heydler, was used today the basis for
tie opinion that if Ward Is selected there
may be another big base ball war, caused
by the jumping of the Pittsburg and Gin
einnati clubs, controlled, respectively. by
Barney Dreyfuss and Garry Hermann,
to either the American League or new
major league circuit. The American AS
ISOLATION, it was pointed out. is ready to
expand. and. with the sanction and the
assistance OF organized base ball, a new
organization can be formed, leaving the
anti-Heydler element in the National
Lergue out in the cold.
While il is a trit!e early to SO into the
possibilities OF such an upheaval, 1t was
freely predicted today that ii Murphy is
permitted TO boss the affairs of the Ma
tional League. and Incidentally bring
about the downfall of Heydler, the old or
gantzation may be wrecked
Hermann and DreyfLSS control the
Boston clubs vote, and when noses are
counted Robson of the st. Louis may
decide TO vote with them because OF
latter and Hermann. But even In that
event there will be a deadlock unless
John T. Brush OF the New York club or
{. II. Ebbets of the Brooklyn club decides
al the last moment to turn away from
the Murphy clique.
Brush Not in Syndicate.
Brush declared today that he was in no
way connected with the purchase of the
Philadelphia club by the syndicate OF
which Horace Focel is announced as the
head He went further and stated posi-
uvs.y that he did not know anything
apou: the deal until he read Of it in the
u.pers. that he was not consulted by any
one regarding the purchase and that no
money OF has was used to pay Tor the
stock any part of it. He could not eN-
pain where such 4 rumor originated nor
understand why ne had been named as
member OF the syndicate.
Il nave been out OF touch with the
base ball situation to great extent,
saia MIR. Brush In fact, many things
nave been kept from me, doubtless owing
my Illness, that | should have been
told about
Are you pledged 10 vote against John
A. HeydIer for president of the National
League" was asked
Il have given no pledges, but | am
not in any combination To defeat Mr..
ueydler Ii may not be generally known
that Murphy and l We're tie only ones To
insist heydler's election last spring.
The balance of the league voted 10 re-
tain Pulliam in office, but TO give him
leave of absence.
Have you spoken to John NJ Ward
concerning the possibility of Offering him
the presidency
MIR. Brush hesitated moment before
replying, and then said:
Il prefer not TO discuss the question.
Ward Makes Statement.
Johnson's quoted objection to Ward is
said TO have been due to the of
Player George Davis, who signed con-
tracts with the Chicago Americans and
the New York NATIONALS and was after
ward enjoined from playing with the
Giants by the federal courts. 1t is said
that johnson blamed Word. as Davis
legal adviser. for the tangie. ami that
he notified Ward several years ago that
he would always oppose him. When
asked about Johnson's statement that
he would not sit a member of the
national commission if Ward was elected
president OF the National League, Ward
replied:
1t is hard to believe that Johnson
has been quoted correctly. In fact, l
Go not believe lie ever said such thing.
As far as Davis case is concerned /
did nothing Illegal and simply acted as
that player paid attorney.
w hen George Davis and Clark Grif-
nth came 10 my office l out of base
ball. 1 had no interest in any associa-
ny profession as a lawyer. Griffith said
he wanted to sign Davis to three-year
contract with the Chicago American
League Club. and Davis insisted that I
draw up the contract 1t was to be an
ironcIad contract without any contingent
cies, and | drew it UP that way. 1t was
nGing on both parties. and / told them
nothing on earth could break 1t.
Davis Couldn't Lose.
1T appears that Davis was on the re-
serve list Of the New York Giants at
the time. but I had nothing TO do with
that Davis played year in Chicago.
and the following winter again came 10
my office. He had another contract for
one year signed by John McGraw as
manager OF the New York club. in which
the club agreed absolutely 10 pay him \
certain sum OF money 10 play with the
Giants, but to pay in any event should
he be stopped from playing through no
fault OF his own.
Can / collect money on that paper!'
asked Davis
Il told him the contract was binding,
but that the Chicago club could sue him
Tor damages. Asked ii he could be
Joined | told him 1 thought not, at least
In this state. l acted merely in legal
capacity. not moral one | collected
fee from Davis for the advice. as my
books show and he will corroborate.
''Comiskey, the Chicago owner who
was the one most injured by Davis &C
lie is one OF my warm friends.
John T. Brush knows all the features of
the and we are friends today. Mr..
Johnson may imagine that | draw up
the second contract and induced Davis
To- sign II. He is mistaken"
Look Who's Here. the Wagners.
II Murphy really controls the Phladel-
phia club il is believed that he swung
the deal with the financial assistance of
Charles p. Taft. who helped him 10 buy
the Chicago club. If Murphy is not in
terested in the Philadelphia club base ball
men said today that Horace Fogel could
convince the public that he is backed By
locai capitalists by coming out in favor
OF Heydler Among the new officials of
the Philadelphia club is Judge Frank FL
lott, who was or is the legal adviser OF
the Wagner brothers, George and j. Earl,
former owners of the Philadelphia Play
ers' Lea que club, and the Washington
club II was said several weeks ago that
the Wagners We're after the Philadelphia
Nationals. that Ell.ott's presence in the
deal is causing much gossip.
MurphyS opposition TO Heydler IS due
10 several reasons. During the final series
in PIttsbur. several of the Cubs INDUCED
III faerant rowdysm, and Heydler, who
was present handed out discipline with
ne Their tear nor favor. Murphy then de-
clared that he was after Heydier's scalp,
and his antaeonisrn increased when Heyd-
To fine Murpny 800 for tampering with
one OF the Toronto clubs players. John
son declared several weeks ago that Muir
~. - SHatrI6 ha driven Of ORGANIZED