Evening star., 1909-02-19

CHICAGO February 19-After Pro
lonxed discussion by the National League
maenates. in session here yesterday. over
The diSaoreement between President
Harrv G. Puliam and certain National
League club owners, it was finally decided
to grant PuIliam an indefinite Rave OF
absence. This was done at Pulliam
own request in order that he may re-
cover from the nervous strain to which
he has been subjected for some time
past Pulliam has been very irritable
for year past and has taken trips to
California, Canada and other points to
rest I'D. His row in New York with
President Barney Dreyfuss of Pittsburg
and President Charley Ebbets of Brooklyn
and his recent wordy battle with Presi-
dent Charley Murphy of the Cubs con-
vinced the magnates that he needed an
extended vacation.
Of the league because he was wearied OF
conflict and Garry Hermann of Cincin-
natl presided. During Pulliam's alb
sence John A. Heydler. secretary ana
treasurer of the National League. VIII
attend to the business Of the organization
Before the vote was taken granting Pul-
liam a vacation the club owners testified
to his efficiency as an executive.
The Umpire Bribery Case.
Before adjourning the magnates con-
sidered the alleged attempt to bribe um-
pires KLEIN and Johnson to throw the
deciding game of the season. played at
the Polo Grounds. between the Giants
and the Chicago Cubs. President Ban
Johnson of the American League was
present at the meeting upon invitation
for the purpose of telling what he knew
about the scandal. Be. ore Johnson SAID
anything Charley Murphy apologized to
the American League executive Tor Ger
tain remarks he had made about john
son.
The entire bribery problem proved to be
so difficult In handling that 1t was de-
cided that the statements of the umpires
and all the evidence in the hands of the
special committee appointed to investigate
the affair be turned over to the national
commission, to be acted upon as that body
may determine.
Matter to Be Sifted.
Chairman Hermann of the commission
NAV call a meeting of the commanding
powers of base ball to start the task OF
getting to the bottom of the scandal. but
after the close of the league meeting he
expressed himself as undecided when the
matter would be called UP for considera-
ton.
The information presented by Ban John
son to the National League magnates was
kept a secret for the time being. the
matter being of such vital importance IN
the affairs of the national game that II
was considered desirable to withhold ru
mors and allegations until the natona
commission is ready to make report.
No Passes for Players.
The ticket complication during the
championship series in Chicago between
Chicago and Detroit was gone into a.
some length. 1t was decided that the
matter be threshed out more fully by
President Murphy and the chairman o.
the national commission. In handling the
problem of tickets the magnates brought
woe to the players by adopting rule tha
no passes be issued to the latter either t.
the home grounds or while they are IL
other cities.
The proposed amendment to the ma
tional agreement was ratified by thu
league. Clubs will be limited in the ma
jor leag agues to twenty-five players betweer
May Is and August 20, and thirty-fivt
players after the latter date mentioned
In the Class AA leagues they will be linn
tied to sixteen and twenty five In the
same arrangement as regards dates.