The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-16

afternoon. Dave Davenport, pitcher
and former teammate OF Marsans. re-
ported to Miner Brown In St Louis yes
terday. Heine Schulz, u southpaw OF the
New York Americans, ran out on Frank
Chance at Detroit Sunday afternoon. lie
has signed three years contract with the
Buffalo Federal League club. Hal Chase,
first baseman of the White Sox, admitted
yesterday that he also would sign with
the Buffeds. He said he would notify
Comiskey last night that he would ter
inmate his contract with Chicago at the
end OF ten days.
Word came from Buffalo late last night
that Harry Lord the veteran third base
man who quit the White Sox month
ago, had come to terms with the Buffeds.
While in the East to attend the opening
OF Washington Park, Brooklyn, more than
a month ago President James A. Gilmore
Of the Federal League declared that his
colleagues Intended to go after National
and American League players whose con-
tracts embraced the ten days option or
release clause. This article. the chieftain
of outlaw ball argued. nullifes contract
rights. Gilmore admitted at that time
that he had designs on all such players or
the major leagues, but said he wished TO
await the decision of Judge Foell OF Chi
cago In August Herrmann's suit against
Pitcher George Johnson. Gilmore was
sure that Judge Foell would hold inequi-
table the ten day clause to which the In
dian had subscribed Anticipating a YER
diet unfavorable to the Interests OF or
ganized baseball as represented by tho
1914 contract, Gilmore and his associates
had planned a coup. This was a whole
sale desertion by players whose contracts
held the ten days option clause.
Judge Foell's decision In tho Johnson
case, however, substantiated the Cincin-
natl contract in all It's clauses. This
jurist held as valid not only the option
| clause, but the reserve clause as we'll.
This blow momentarily staggered the
Federal League promoters II spoiled the
plan or general walkout OF players from
| the National and American circuits.
| However. several big league players
| who had promised to desert to the new
! league In case the optional clause was
held OF inequity anticipated the decision
! of Judge Foell so far as to notify their
employers before hand that they would
4 terminate their contracts at the end of
ten days. Among these were Marsans and
| Davenport Of Cincinnati and Schulz of the
/ New Yorks All three now have carried
, out their bargains with the Gilmore or
ganization. All three received long term
contracts from clubs OF the new league
as well as substantial bonuses for signing
them.
AS Is usually the case in matters of
this kind. the assertions have had a moral
. effect upon other major league players
/ Il IN known that Gilmore and his agents
| within the past month have approached
| practically every major league player or
worth Glowing promises and much cash
have been dangled before the eyes OF the
athletes, and even the decision OF Judge
Foell has been held out as lure toward
disloyalty. Federal League hackers have
used the argument that It is a poor rule
even in law. that does not work two ways
They argued that II the ten day option
of release held good for employer 1t con-
sequenty furnished loophole OF escape
/ for employee. Marsans, Schulz and Dav-
export all left their managers upon zen
days notice. The Federal League has
guaranteed the deserters to stand all cost
, OF chance litigation as well us full salary
iu case injunctions are secured by the
organized baseball powers.
Manager Charlie Herzog of the Gin
cinnati Reds declared last night that he
had not been apprised Of the desertIon OF
, Davenport. He admitted. however. II
would be no surprise to him II the report
from st. Louis to the effect that the pitcher
has reported to Miner Brown were true
! Davenport got permission to remain
, over Sunday In Philadelphia" said the
former idol OF the Polo Grounds. He
was TO have reported to me at the Ansonia
Hotel this morning. He did not put in
an appearance nor furnish any excuse for
his absence. | should not he at all sur
! pr!sed II he has carried out mis- threat to
desert. / shall not worry myself gray
headed. Davenport is no; OF sufficient
Importance to make much difference one
way or the other
! Max Eleischman. one of the directors of
the Cincinnati club. who Is here for the
Brooklyn SERIES was seen at the Polo
Grounds yesterday afternoon He said
he knew nothing of the desertion of Dav-
export. 1t WAS learned that Mr.. Fleisch-
man earlier In the day had been in long
distance consultation with President Au-
gust Hermann of Cincinnati. 1t In be-
leved that the chairman OF the National
Commission was consulting his directors
with a view toward some policy of retalia-
ton against Marsans and Davenport.
According to story that originated
in st. Louis yesterday afternoon. the
desertion Of Herzog's stars Is just about
to begin. This rumor said that Pitcher
Leon Ames and Rube Benton and Catcher
Tom Clarke intended to desert. Ames
and Benton at the Polo Grounds yes
terday afternoon denied all intention o!
, quitting Herzog.
, II am perfectly satisfied where am.
, said Ames. 81 have been treated fairly
by the Cincinnati club and am enjoying
, one OF my very best seasons. | would
} be fool 10 leave n club with which
have been SO successful, especially as
that club. to my mind, has an excellent
Cnunce or TAKING DOWN snare OF tnt
worlds series money. We are not W
. in the race on nerve alone"
Benton also denied that he ever haC
, considered seriously a Federal League
offer. Clarke could not bo found. He
had gone to his home Mt Corona as soor
as yesterdays game In Brooklyn was de-
! clared off on account Of wet grounds.
Manager Herzog of the Reds said he
did not know what action would be taker
by the owners OF his club against Marsans
aud Davenport. He had not been in con
sultation with President Hermann. Mr.
fleischman appeared equally in the dark
; Ho did not think /; case for the cele-
br;lted board OF directors of the Cincinnati
club. Last winter both the National and
American leagues vested In the National
, Commission absolute power in dealing
with the Federal League fight. As chair
man OF tho National Commission Presi.
! dent Hermann of the Reds appears well
qualified to guard the interests OF Gin.
cinnati.
The announcement that Hal Chase was
ready to throw down Jimmie Callahan
comes as no surprise to those familiar
, with the career of this sensational FIRST
baseman. who was once the idol OF the
New York Americans. Chases cardinal
sin always has been insincerity Away
, back in 1908 when Clark Grlfiiths New