New-York tribune., 1909-12-14
MORE TALK OF WAR
LOOKS LIKE TICTORY
FOR WARD.
Baseball Clans GafheT-C. II.
Taft Oscns Philadelphia
ClUb.

Ran r. Johnson. president OF the Ameri-
can League u Baseball clubs. arrived in this
city Yesterday 10 preside at the annual
meeting 81 his league al the Hotel VOL
cou Tomorrow. and lost no time in declar-
ing that Tic election of John NJ. Ward 20
succeed John 4. Heydler as president Of the
National Lesgue. would moan war
He did not say this with much enthusi-
asm. however. snd tho feeling was general
that John n Ward would be- the next presi-
dent Of the National League. and that the
chances for an uprising were not worth con-
sidering.
Next in importance 10 the discussion over
IN. presidential fight came the announce
rlsnt from a source which carried cOnvic-
rion. that Charles p. Taft brother 10 the
President. was she new owner of the Phila-
delphis National League Club. u Is said
that he had sold his stock in the Chicago
club 20 Charles W. Murphy. and for that
reason no charge of syndicate baseball
could he made.
The National League camp was pitched
~ the Wsldorf-Astoria, and Il was the
storm centre all the afternoon and evening
Owners and managers and players were on
hand IN numbers, talking baseball politics
snd laying the foundation for trades The
fcht over the election Of a president for
.h. National League was the chief topic OF
conversation, and some new hsht was
shrown on the situation.
Stanley Robson Of the s.. Louis club,
%ould not declare himself beyond saying
thst ME vote Was not pledged, but IL was
understood that he would Join forces with
John T Brush. Of New York: Charles W.
Hurphy, OF Chicago: Charles II. Ebbets. OF
Brooklyn. and Horace Fogei. Of Philadel-
piia. which would insure the election Of
81 Wsrd.
John Dovev az Boston. reiterated the
statement he made some DAYS ago that he
would vote for NIr. Heydler. while August
flerrmsnn. % Cincinnati. and Barney Drey-
fus Of Pittsburg. had little 10 add 10 their
prsvious declarations in favor OF tbs pres
ent incumbent Mr. Hermann admitted.
however that IL looked as il Mr. Ward
would get Eve votes. and that Mr. Heydler
Vas beaten. although he was stii hoping
80 get Stanley Robson 20 think as he did,
which would bring about deadlock. He
sdded II Ward is elected I viii accept
defeat with good grace"
noual League said yesterday that he ex-
pected that when the owners got together
sh.y would quickly settle down To business.
and that the presidents who have been ad-
Nocating a change I'm the head Of the league
would bs brought around 10 a realization
thai = change would mean harm. If not
disruption lie admitted. however. that II
Vas only ms personal opinion. and that he
might be mistaken.
Among the players seen al the hotel were
Fred Lake, the new manager OF the Bos-
ton National League club: Fred Clarke,
manager Of the champion Pitfsburg team.
John McCluskey, OF the Louisville club.
and Captain A G. Anson, known 10 base
han fans as Pop" who has been men
tioned as q possible successor 10 President
Reydler- He, too, was silent as 10 the
election
Real business viii begin to-day with a
meeting Of the board Of directors OF the
National League Al L O'Clock a. head
quarters No enc knows OF would predict
what might happen al this meeting. After
this the league Win convene al the Waldorf
and then the night viii be on.
President Heydler will read his report as
president End as acting secretary treas
NFer. N was authoritstivelv stated that
rhe report of The treasurer would show
fhs most prosperous year that the National
League has ever had and that this would
he used ~ an argument for The men who
sre unwilling that change should he
n sde 10 bring over The owners who want
new president.
As outlining his position on the eve 81
the National League meeting to-day Ban
y. johnson made public letter which he
Eenl 20 August hermann chairman 0f ;he
Maternal commission. who was instrumen-
tal IN ending tht war between the National
snd American leagues in 1909. The letter,
which j. aated chicago. November 80. and
scdresseG TO Nj. Hermann al Cincinnati,
sals:
When information was brought 10 ere
from an authentic source that John n
Ward was seriously considered FOR the
lresidcncs of tie National League n or-
Cssioned me much surprise and raised the
Question IS - The sincerity - purpose 81
sour organization. since the signing of
the peace pact and the creation OF the
nsuonal agreement organized baseball has
moved along IN p broad. straight channel
with moderate friction.
The chief snag encountered was our
encrt 30 recover George Davis. a player.
sftor he had been awarded 20 the Chicago
American League club 81 the Cincinnati
peace conference Air Ward, acting as
the attorney FOR Davis. drew up the origi-
nal contract With the Chicago club. II
was a slree-year agreement iron bound
and riNcicd. Al subsequent date Davis
signed another contract with the New York
NstiOnsl League club
The NeW York club sought te retain
Davis. regardless Of the Cincinnati award,
and m fact did use Him IN one game. de-
spite a vigorous protest from the American
League. The Chicago club was finally
obliged 10 40 into the courts 10 enforce ils
contract. and John n. Ward represented
the player IN Tire proceedings.
Davis was checkmated. but the Chicago
clab did not have his services during the
entire sessOn. The cost Of litigation 60 the
chicago club exceeded 5000 Tie entire
transaction wantou violation of the
peace pact entered into al Cincinnati
American League interests must be consid-
ered snd weighed in the construction Of the
National Commission each yea
1t r. far from cur purpose 10 say. a.
even suggssi whom the National League
should eleci a. is president. but common
sense nrd the interests Of other parties 10