Atlanta Georgian., 1914-02-22
National League Magnates Gust
the Chicago Club Leader
After Conference With Tener,
Who Insisted on Such Action.
Dismissal of Evers, Diamond Hero,
Last Straw in Career Of Charles
Webb,' Who Repeatedly Stirred
Up Strife Throughout Circuit.

CINCINNATI, Feb. 21.-President
Charles Webb Murphy, of the Chi
cseo Cubs, has been officially kicked
ont Of the National League. The big
boot was applied to Murphy late this
evening. after long secret confer
ence between Governor Tener and
Charles P. Taft, the man who bought
the Cubs for Murphy. Murphy has
sold his interest in the Chicago team
to Taft and will retire from the presi-
dency of the club and as a director of
the National League.
Govern Tener, in a lengthy state
ment, issued after the conference, de-
clared that a new president would be
chosen to head the Cubs, who will be
agreeable to all concerned. Harry
Ackerland. who bought Frank
Chances stock in the Cubs, is men
toned as Murphy's successor
Every National League club was
represented at the meeting. Preced-
ing the meeting the presidents OF the
various clubs had an informal discus
sion, from which all outsiders were
barred.
Probably Barred for All Time.
Ackerland and John Conway Toole,
attorney for the National League
participated in the conference which
resulted in Murphys resignation,
which means that Murphy is out ct
not only the Chicago club, but also
organized baseball He probably
never will be able to get back into the
game.
Efforts to oust Murphy, who has
been disliked by other club owners,
came to climax in New York a short
time ago at the meeting of National
League moguls when Murphy sum-
marily deposed the popular Johnny
Evers as manager of the Cubs. At the
same time the Cub president declared
Hank O'Day. veteran umpire of the
league, would succeed Evers.
The magnates, whose tranquility
already had been upset by raids Of
the Federal League on organized ball,
were further aroused when Evers was
declared to be in conference with
Federal Leaguers. 1t was generally
considered that Murphy had made a
grave mistake in ousting Evers when
fight was being made on organized
ball
Evers Deal Costly.
Evers had a contract to manage
the Cubs this year, and he insisted
that his rights be preserved, at the
same time maintaining he would not
again play for Murphy. The Cub
President, under cover, engineered a
trade of his star second baseman for
Bill Sweeney, infielder and Hub Per
due pitcher of the Boston Nationals.
With the Evers ultimatum that he
WoulL not go to Boston IL Murphy
profited thereby the National League
was forced to pay Evers big money
10 keep him in line.
The National League owners then
decided Murphy should be eliminat-
ed for the peace of their organiza-
ton. The matter was placed in the
hands of Governor Tener, the head
Of the league.
Taft, who is a brother OF the ex-
resident, had expressed the opinion
That Murphy was not to blame for
'he trouble heaped upon him. Tart
said others were jealous OF the Cur
ooss because he had made SO much
money. 1t is thought tonight that
ne made strong fight for Murphy,
out that he gave up when Tener and
others told him he would jeopardize
MS own interests by trying to keep
Charles Webb" at the head Of the
Chicago club.
AFTER it seemed apparent Taft ana
iener had reached a basis for set
uement, Taft conferred for an hour
shd half on the long distance tele-
Pnone with Murphy, who was at Chi
saso Murphy did not come to Gin
'nnati, it being said that he was i'll.