Evening star., 1909-02-17

CHICAGO, February 1.-THE opening of
the sessions of the annual meetings of the
National and American base ball leagues
developed no excitement yesterday, not
withstanding the rumors that have cirCu-
lated about possible wordy wars.
At the session of the National League
the schedule was adopted without change,
and 1t was decided that in future the an
nual meetings will he held In New York
on the second Tuesday in December Spe-
cial meetings of the league Will be de-
cided upon by the directors whenever
emergency arises
The alleged attempt at bribery of I'm
pires KLEIN and Johnstone during the
closing game in New York between Chi
cago and New York teams was not dis
cussed, although a special committee,
headed BY President John T. Brush of
the New York Nationals, had been looked
to for report. The club owners were
not Inclined to discuss the proceedings OF
the committee.
President Brush of the New York Ma
tional team may not be able to attend
the league meeting, and his absence may
result In a postpOnement of the subject
until such time the committee is able
20 make it's report public.
Although trades and purchases were
freely discussed during the day. little was
accomplished by owners and managers
bent on improving the playing material
already In hand. The two important
moves of the session were made by Presi-
dents Comiskey and Murphy of the Amer
lean and the National Chicago teams, re-
spectively.
Browne Joins Cubs.
The former announced with show of
satisfaction that he had procured &. c.
Cravath, a Boston American pitcher. and
at,1ia tod inns 20
on the fact that he had added George
Browne to hts fielding staff. Browne has
been star performer with the Boston
Nationals
The American League succeeded in
transacting It's business In almost record
breaking fashion. The playing schedule
was discussed, but final action was post
poned until today. The ciasp
league teams. comprising the American
Association Eastern League and Pacific
Coast League, were under consideration
during the greater part of the se7s.1n, nut
action was deferred until the playing
schedule has been passed on today.
President Comiskey Of the Chicago
American League team was bes!eged dur
ing the day by base ball enthusiasts to
know something of Manager Fielder
Jones President Coniskey was confident
that Jones would be back when the sea-
son opened. In spite OF Comiskey S op-
tirnism in this regard, rumors were rife
that William Sullivan had teen slated to
succeed Jones manager OF the team.
The base bah season OF 1879 will open
April II. according to the National
League schedule made public. Brooklyn
will play at New York, Philadelphia at
Boston. Pittsburg at Cincinnati and st.
Louis a Chicago.
The first meeting between Chicago and
New York who finished so closely last
season. will not occur until May II. at
New York. Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Chi
cago and st. Louis get one holiday each
I,rrrc fS civ nj q
other teams two each. The Saturdays at
home are evenly divided,
Plums for Pirates.
Pittsburg drew the plum having three
holidays at home. and will have a big
opening day for the new grounds. Brook
Iyn was also we'll treated. having two
holiday dates at home, and in addition
the Superbas will open the season at the
Polo grounds and then have the Giants
as the opening attraction on their own
grounds.
The dinner given last night by Presi-
dent Harry c. Pulliam of the National
League to the writers of sporting events
on the Chicago newspapers resolved itself
into love feast before the banquet table
had been cleared. President Pulliam had
been expected to express himself on the
recent utterances of President Murphy of
the Chicago National League team but
when time for speechmaking came Pres
dent Pulliam appeared to reconsider his
announced intention of saying unkindly
things about Murphy and decided to make
the feast one of rejoicing.
This occasion. said President Pull
liam. lis too joyous to permit of our en-
tering into controversies. and / have de-
cided that whatever differences may have
existed in the past between base ball
magnates and myself will be put aside for
the time being at least
There seems to be n disposition on the
part of every one concerned to allow
past differences to drop in the interest of
the national game Toward the close of
the day il likewise appeared probable that
President Ban Johnson of the American
League and George Stallings. newly ap-
pointed manager of the New York Ameri-
can team, would see their way clear to
patch up their differences 1t was while
Stallings was manager of the Detroit
team that disagreements arose between
Johnson and himself. In the American
League deliberations the word "Har-
mony appears to be uppermost in the
minds of all present.
In the short session held by the ma
tional commission the national agree
ment was the sole topic for discussion
Bemis in Critical Condition.