Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-19
PULLIAN READY TO RETIRE
President Of National League is Tired
Of Friction and Worry.
SAYS JOB Is THANKLEss ONE
story of HIS Ordering Dreyfuss and
Ebbetts from His once starts
Controversy Anew-ChanEes
In Playing Rules.

CHICAGO. Feb. 1s-President Harry Pull
liam Of the National league made II plain
yesterday between sessions OF league meet
Ing that he was willing TO foreso the glory
and salary attached TO his position in or
der to save himself worry.
Mr.. Pulliam had intended making a
statement at the dinner given to the news
paper writers on the previous evening, but
the spirit Of good cheer conquered and ne
decided to forgive and forget for the
time being at least. 1t is known in base
ball circles that the best OF feelings do
not exist between Mr.. Pullism and Garry
Hermann, chairman OF the National COM
mission, and President Charles w. Muir
ply Of the Chicago National league club,
but II was not until today that the war
fare assumed a serious aspect.
In the hotel corridors II was said that
Mr.. Puiliam had ordered Barney Dreyfus
and Charles Ebbetts, owner, respectively,
OF the Pittsburg and Brooklyn National
teams, TO leave his office in New York, and
while the demand was complied with, it
is said both Dreyfus and Ebbetts vowed
vengeance upon him.
Palliam Ready TO Retire.
when MT. Puliiam learned the incident
referred to had been divulged he issued a
statement today which voiced his senti-
ments. In substance, the National league
president declared he was tired of war
fare and after leaving for California next
Monday he would not be surprised to hear
that he had been deposed by those in the
league whom he claims to be anita gonistic
to his administration. President Pulllam
issued his statement after the meeting.
and supplemented It by saying his ex-
perience with the contending factions of
the league had caused him to fail in
health and lose his cheerful disposition.
IT expect" he said, that there are
enough of the opposition to depose me as
president and as a matter OF fact / would
not regret such action on their part. The
Job is a thankless one for the most part
and the friction that one has to contend
with lie not worth the trouble. As a matter
of fact. 1 did order Dreyfuss and Ebbetts
out Of my office in New York and would
do the same thing again II the circum-
stances were similar"
Harmony on Surface.
But Notwithstanding the difficulties exist
ing between some of the magnstes and
officials OF the league, the session was har-
monious for the most part. Contrary TO
expectation the reported attempt at bribing
Umpires KLEIN and tombstone was not re-
ferred to.
The proposed amendment to the national
agreement in relation to the Class "A
leagues was discussed at length, and while
no definite action was taken, the sentiment
appeared TO favor the change. A similar
spirit was manifested at the session of the
league directors during their brief
- WWaAA L.
on the part of the major league magnates
1t is probable that the American associa-
ton. Eastern league and Pacific Coast
league will be placed in a class by them
selves according to their desire.
Changes I'm Rules.
In the National league session 1t was de-
cided to amend rule GA so that the umplres
will not have the power to fine players or
men on the coaching lines. In future, vio-
lations OF the rules of the national game
may be punished only by ordering the Of
fender to the club house. but he may not
take up a position either In the srandstsnd
or blAachers. Another innovation was the
adoption Of a rule that managers Of home
grounds win not be permitted to voice any
sentiment regarding ground rules in case
the visiting team enters a protest against
existing conditions. The umpire is to be the
sole Judge in such IN emergency. In the
major league clubs it was decided by the
rules committee that a limit Of twenty-five
players shall be the maximum during the
playing season on and after May Is. and
thirtyEfive during the so-called off season
which precedes the warmer contests Of the
clubs striving for pennant honors.
The committee decides to stop the prac-
tice OF certain managers of shifting pitch
ers during games In order to give their
teens an advantage when the batters on
the opposing tcams were showing too great
strength at the plate. When one pitcher
IL taken out his successor must remain in
The box until he has retired at least one
man.
The scoring rules were smended at the
suggestion of a con mittee of sporting
writer's and it was decided that the umpires
in the minor leagues might use their own
Judgment In the matter of imposing fines.
In the major leagues the fines in the past
have been settled by the clubs and as a
result the penalty did not fail sufficiently
heavy on the playing offender.
For this reason IL was decided that in
the minor leagues, where the fines imposed
by umpires have been settled in the ma
jority OF instances by the players. this rule
viii be allowed to stand tor the good of
the base ball game.
Trades and Purchases.
The annual proposition Of trades and
purchases experienced a lun during the
sessions Of both leagues. but a few an
nouncements were q by the managers
who visited the scene of base ball activity.
Third Baseman Conroy OF the New York
American club was sold to tine Washington
team and Sid Smith OF the St. Louis Ameri-
can aggregation was shifted to the Atlanta
club OF the Southern league.
President Comiskey OF the Chicago Amer
lean league team announced that he had
secured Infielder Perry Downs OF Detroit
and President Murphy congratulated him
self upon obtaining the services of Pitchers
Donahue and Ferguson of the Boston Ma
tionais. Catcher James OF the Boston
Americans, It was announced. had been Sc