The Washington herald., 1910-02-16
National Leaguers Wrangle
Over Schedule.
BITTER FEELING IS SHOWN
Three Clubs Opposed to Long List
of Games-An Agreement May BE
Reached TO-day-ROEer Bresnnhan
Buys Pitcher Willis for $4,000.
Pitcher COnkley Brings Suit.


journed at o'clock tonight without
adopting a playing schedule for the COM
ing season. At . o'clock tomorrow after
noon they VIII reconvene at the Waldorf
Astoria. but whether they can reach an
agreement or not remains to be seen.
Bitter factonal feeling manifested dur
ing the Ward-Heydler deadlock at the
December meeting, which was broken by
the election of Thomas J. Lynch to the
presidency, caused to-days wrange, and
so heated was the argument that the
magnates who entered the star chamber
at o'clock forgot all about the dinner
hour When they finally left the as
-sembly room they were in anything but
good humOr.
The situation when the reporters were
called in was just this:
Five clubs, New York. Brooklyn, Chi
cago, Philadelphia. and ST. Louis, were in
favor of adopting a schedule calling for
16S games, while three clubs, Cincinnati
Pittsburg, and Boston, were holding out
for one of 154 games. AS it requires six
votes to adopt a schedule, and as the
other side was not willing 10 concede an
allLlif tllc uHAAt AAeaA " hI NoiiNA bAA ~
enable the delegates TO recuperate
Ebbets and Murphy Lead.
Ebbets. Of the Brooklyn club, and c.
w. Murphy, of the Chicago's led in the
argument for 16S games. In the course
of a heated discussion, they practically
charged Hermann, of the Cincinnati club,
and Dreyfuss OF Pittsburg. with making
"a secret compact with President Johnson,
of the American League. TO force the
adoption of the 154-game schedule. Ebbets
recalled the fact that at the December
meeting the league voted unanimously TO
adopt a 1eS-game schedule, and instructed
the schedule committee, of which Ebbets
IS chairman. TO draw up an arrangement
of dates on these lines.
Ebbets pointed out that before he
could complete his task Dreyfuss and
Hermann rushed into print with state
ments scoring the plan and advocating
ii54 games, which will prevail in the
American League this season. 1t was
further pointed out that Dreyfuss and
Hermann aided Ban johnson in bringing
about the defeat of John NJ. Ward for the
presidency Of the National League.
"MAEltUpun Lllt AlHCllllldLA anu IllLSUulE
men jumped into the fray In earnest
When John 7. Brush declared himself
in favor OF 16S games the night waXed
hotter. and the climax was reached when
NJ S. Robson showed similar partiality
Robson made an extended argument
against the shorter schedule. He showed
that last year he had at least ten open
dates in ST. Louis during the month of
June and seven in September. He said
that it was purely a matter of business
with him. and that the longer schedule
was worth trial: also. that if it proved
unpopular this year the league could go
back 10 first principles.
Robson Has Kick Coming.
Robson argued that the worlds series
could be played after October Is without
Inconvenience. and said that as the play
.ers' contracts did not expire until that
date, it was unfair to ask fourteen of the
sixteen major league clubs to remain
idle nine or ten days, while the others
took part in the worlds championship
games.
Hermann and Dreyfuss, in reply. en-
deavored to show that the public did not
want more than 154 games. and that any
thing that might interfere. with the
worlds series would be extremely un-
popular. They said that if the I6S-game
schedule should be adopted the National
League would be roundly scored, and
that the club owners would be charged
with greedy motives. They also made it
plain that they had three votes and they
mn
any circumstances. Horace Fogel. Of the
Phnlies, was unable to attend the session
because his attack Of gOut was so pain
ful, but he authorized Murphy to cast
his vote for the longer schedule.
Fogers crippled condition also made
it impossible for the board Of directors
to take up the case of W. J. Murray VS.
the Phillies. It could not be explained
why the directors did not hold a session
in FOgers room. but it developed that
iFogel had filed a demurrer with President
Lynch
Togels contention was that 1t was a
civil contract that Murray held. and that
the matter should be decided by the
courts. Baseball men who knew the in
side Of the controversy said that it was
q clear case Of lodging the issue. and
that if the National League men did not
take some action their organization would
receive black eve. If Murray had broken
the contract instead of the Philadelphia
club it was pointed out that he would
have been promptly disciplined.
Bresnahan Buys Willis.
Roger Bresnahan, manager of the st.
Louis Cardinals. made another deal to-
day that viii probably strengthen his
team. He purchased the release Of Pitcher
Vic Willis. Of the Pittsburg club. for
$4,000, it was said. The Pittsburg club, in
cidentally, signed the noted second base
man, John Miller, who has been holding
out for more salary.
The Philadelphia club has decided 10
ask the National League directors 20 re-
consider the 800 fine which Capt. Doolin
has been asked to pay for his part in the
forfeited game at the Polo Grounds last
fall.
The Brooklyn club has sold the releases
of Players Catterson and Finlayson to
the Lawrence club Of the New England
League.
Pitcher COakley has brought suit against
the Chicago club for $3.50. said TO be
back salary. President Murphy was served
with papers tonight
Business Reserves Want Games.
The Business High School second team