Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-17
FIRST BALLOT SHOWS TIE
Vote for President of National League
Develops Deadlock.
sPURN TALK OF COMPROMISE
Ebbets and Murphy VIII Not Consent
TO Anyone but ward-RumOr
that Robisin was
kidnapped.

NEW YORK, Dec. 16.-The first ballot
for president Of the National league de-
veloped the forecasted deadlock. Four
votes-Philadelphia, New York, Brooklyn
and Chicago-all for John NJ, Ward; while
Pittsburg, Boston, st. Louis and Cincin-
natl voted for President Heydler.
Mr.. Brush suggested that a compromise
candidate be elected, but Ebbets and
Murphy declared against anyone but Ward.
Their declaration was followed by a gen
eral discussion.
The absence Of Stanley Robson from the
early deliberations of the council started
a rumor hat he had been kidnapped by the
opponents Of Heydler, but Robson was
found and hurried to the meeting before
the first ballot was taken.
PhiIadelphIa's New owner.
With the presidential situation undecided,
the National league magnates of necessity
confined themselves to routine matters yes
terday. Horace Fogol, representing the new
owners of the Philadelphia club, was ad-
mitted to the meeting, but many of the
club owners were not satisfied with his
statement that Charles w. Murphy of Chi
cago and Charles P. Taft of Cincinnati
are not the new purchasers. They are
seeking more Information along this line
The new club was admitted to membership
however, and Fogel named the officers as
being himself, as president; Frank b. Ell
lott, vice president; Morris scheck, secre.
tary-treasurer and /. Schwartz and c. II
w. Conway, directors.
The claim of the New York club owners
against the Philadelphia club for damages
sustained when the Philadelphia club FOR.
feited a game at the Polo grounds, DC.
tober 4 last, was referred to the new own
ers. as was William j. Murray's claim
against the old Philadelphia corporation
to carry out it's two-year contract witt
him. President Heydler announced thai
Players Moren. Doolan and Knabe, who
were fined for their conduct in the gamt
of October 4, had not yet paid their fines
and would be ineligible to play in the Ma
tional league until these were paid.
Benefit for PuIIian's Sister.
The committee appointed in Louisville
last August to arrange for the erection Of
a monument over the grave of Harry Pull
liam, former president of the Nationa
league, reported that action of this KIND
was unnecessary, in that Mr.. Pulliam''
family had erected a
The league decided to bestow a lump sum
not specified, on an invalid sister of the
late president and to give her the interest
on 5000 a year during her lifetime.
The president submitted his annual re-
port, in which he called attention to and
deplored the many p-ostponements Of
games. He argued that club owner!
should show the same consideration to thu
umpires that they do to players who los
games. The behavior of the players oil
the amo last season was better thai
ever before. said Heydler.
Figures submitted in the report shov
that the receipts of the National leagu
clubs last season were Just 100 per cen
more than in 1908. the first year in whic
National and American leagues worked i
harmony. 'js2
AmerIcannLeagu Meeting.
The American eleague meeting recon
mended the adoption of a schedule Of Il
games for next season.
Joe Cantillon, former manag Of tn
Washington club, giwas exonerated Of tn
charge OF ~disloyalty to the league.
The club owners passed up the questio
of wearing spikes to President Johnson an
Charles Comiskey, with power to act fo
the American league. Charles Somers {
Cleveland was unanimously reelected vic
president Of the league. TIL next meetin
will be held in Chicago in February.
The Boston National league club uncor
d~itionally released Catcher Al Shaw an
the st. Louis Americans will release SCI
ond Baseman Williams to Minneapolis
they can get waivers on him. Williams
destined to manage the st. Joseph clu
next season, as it is Joe Cantillon's inter
ton to buy the Pueblo franchise and tran
fer 1t to st. Joseph. TIL Cincinnati cit
sold Catcher Frank Roth to Minneapol
and Third Baseman Dolan and Pitch,
Lower to Denver.
Ed Ashenback of Altoona has. signed
manage the Syracuse club, and Georl
Heckert, Harrisburg's manage last SCI
son, will guide the Trenton Tri-State sta
team.
The Baseball Writer'S association
5 America. at it's first annual meeting, r
elected all officers.
The PittsburE club gave a banquet at Il
' waldorf last night to newspaper men, cit
, owners ana managers.