The Topeka state journal., 1914-02-23
Chicago Boss Sells Holdings to
Charles p. Taft.
WOULDN'T ATTEND MEETING
Evers Deal Responsible for His
Downfall.
Resigns as President of Club
and League Director.

American League president, known as
the car of baseball, beloved forth
loud-voiced threat declaring that the
National League must control its dis
cordant element and get rid Of Charles
Webb Murphy or witness the breaking
of the hitherto amicable relations with
the American League. Following a
meeting of the National League direc-
tors Saturday in Cincinnati came the
as far as baseball Is concerned.
The owner and president of the Chi
cago Cubs has sold his stock and re-
signed as the club president. Murphy
is no longer a director Of the National
League. Murphy did not attend the
meeting in Cincinnati. However. the
other seven club owners were there and
the Cubs were represented by Harry
Ackerland, vice president of the CLUB
and a minority stockholder. The infer-
ence Is that Mr.. Murphy knew what
was coming. And again Ban john
sons bark has carried In its wake
bite.
A Result OF the Evers Deal.
The downfall of Murphy. II 1t may be
considered downfall. came ABOUT
through the dismissal Of Johnny Evers
as managers of the Cubs. The EveFs
dismissal came after the manager nao
returned from a southern trip during
players and at a time when there war
much need for baseball peace rather
than an explosion such as the Evers
deal caused. The major leagues were
planning on getting together ana op-
posing a solid front to the advances OF
the Federal League. Murphys an
nouncement of the passing OF Evers
was a bomb in the peace powwow.
The National League took up the
Evers contract and appeased the Trojan
by giving him a large bonus for signing
with the Boston Nationals. Then Presi-
dent Tener and his club owners turned
their attention to the owner OF the
Cuhs and Ban johnson, president OF
the American League beloved forth his
now famous and far-crying war wnoop.
Ban johnson has had nothing more
to say since his fiery statement week
ago, but the National League people
evidently have been plotting. Satur-
in Cincinnati Presid mt Tener OF the
National League with Harry Acker-
land Of Pittsburg, vice president OF the
Cubs: Charles p. Taft OF Phtladelpnla'
the man who put Charles w. Murphy
in baseball. and John Conway Tooie'
legal adviser Of the National League,
were in conference. The announcement
of Murphy's passing came at the close
of this meeting. Murphy's holdings
in the club were purchased by Mr.. Ia1t.
The withdrawal of Mr. Murphy came
after a four hours conference, ana
solved a situation that had grown de-
cidedly delicate in National League cir
cles. While the conference was In ses-
sion the presidents of seven Nationa!
League clubs were also meeting ana
discussing the possibilities OF an ami
cable adjustment of the Evers case.
The statement issued by Tener and
concurred in by Taft II as follows:
"As the result of conferences held
Saturday tween Hon. John X. Tener.
president Of the National League OF
Professional Baseball Clubs, and iMr.
Charles p. Taft, Mr.. Harry Ackerland
and the other stockholders Of the Chi
cago National League baseball club. an
agreement has been reached by which
Mr.. Taft has purchased the stock In
tho Chicago National League baseball
club which has been heretofore held by
Chares w. Murphy.
Mr., Murphy has resigned as presi-
dent of the Chicago National League
baseball club and will have no further
official connection with its affairs.
director Of the National League. the
board of directors of which have been
in session today.
"a meeting of the stockholders Of the
Chicago club will be held at once and
a new president. agreeable to Mr.. Taft
and to the National League. will be
chosen.
"Mr. Harry Ackerland. one Of the
stockholders in the Chicago club. and
John Conway Toole. attorney for the
National League, participated in the
conference which resulted in the above
arrangements and which was held at
Mr.. Taft's office"
LEAvENWORTH WON TITLE.