Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-16
Four Clubs for Ward and
Four for HeydIer on
First Vote.
OPPOSE COMPROMISE
Night of Caucusing Fails to
Bring About Any Change
American Finishes.

New York, Dec. 16.-When the
presidents of the National baseball
clubs met this afternoon the ques-
ton of president was as much in
doubt as ever. John T. Brush, who
left a sick bed to attend the meeting.
declared himself in favor of Ward.
AS soon as the presidents convened
President Heydler withdrew from
the room.
Four for Each.
On the first ballot for president
Philadelphia, New York, Brooklyn
and Chicago voted for Ward and
Pittsburg, Boston, st. Louis and Gin
cinnati for Heydler. Brush suggest
ed compromise candidate, but Eb-
betts and Murphy declared against
any one but Ward. A general dis
ctfssion followed.
Conferences Avail Little
New York, Dec 16.-"Who's who?"
in the affairs of the National league for
the coming season was the sole topic
of discussion today when the magnates
of that organization met to select
president for the league. All signs in
dicated stormy meeting Over night
conferences did not seem to develop
any progress in bring about solu-
tion of the tangle in National league
affairs
St. Louis Not for ward
Pittsburg, Cincinnati and Boston are
holding out for the reelection of John
Heydler and Barney Dreyfuss. head
of the Pittsburgs, says Stanley Robin
son of st. Louis, has informed him ne
will not vote for John M. Ward. though
not indicating that he will stand by
Heydler New York is making a fight
for Ward. and John T. Brush. owner Of
the local National league club, it was
said today, feels that if Ward is thrown
down it will be a victory for Ban John
son. president of the American league
and that in such event the National
league will become subservient to the
interests of the American league.
Ebbets for Ward Alone.
Il won't vote for anybody bu
Ward" said C. H Ebberts of Brooklyn
today When the magnates went into
session today Heydler was backed by
Cincinnati, Boston and Pittsburg
Wards adherents were New York. Chi
cago Brooklyn and Philadelphia.
BASEBALL-NEW YORK
Limits Players.
The chief item of interest III the do
ings of the American league yesterday
was a decision to limit the quantity of |
playing talent which can he carr :tl on |
each clubs roster. It was voted to per
init only 25 players to a team between |
May l and Aug. 20 of each year and /
35 players from the latter date until /
the following May. This - the limit |
to which both major leagues were |
ready to cut their forces last winter at |
the request of the ,uiE1r leagues, hut /
the matter never was adopted on ac-
count of the objection If the class 4 |
minor leagues, which wanted tie mai
ors to agree to lower limit.
How much this will reduc3 the rlay-
ing talent carried by Anr.icd1 leaeue /
clubs can be estim arad from the state
ment that practically every club in the
league now is loaded up with many
more than the 80 piaye:'s which will be
permitted on the reserve list next win
ter.
The question of lengthening the
playing season was discussed, and
while there was some sentiment III
favor of shortening it, there was none
La favor of the 16S game .chedule sug-
gcsted by National ieaG.s club own
ers. The vote to continue the previous
arrangement of 154 games was unani-
nous.
CantillOn Gets Clean Bill.
Taking up the matter of the former
Washington managers request for a
hearing on the charges that he had
heen disloyal to the league a resolu
t1or- was offered by Prcstdear johnson,
sc conded by President Noyes of tie
Washington club, and ainpted. as fol-
lows:
Resolved, That the American league
hereby expresses its confidence in the
loyalty to the American league of Joe
Cantillon during the tine he acted as r
manager of the Washington sehail II
club, and expresses 10 him its best
wsSies for his future prosperity
Tafk of AboIishing Spikes.
In the matter of abolishing the :
players spikes the question was lefl /;
by the American league to President {
Johnson and c. A Comiskey. Numer- I