The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-16
TBNBR ALLPOWERPUL
IN CASE OF MURPHY
Seven National League Clubs to
Make War on the
Owner Of Cubs.
TO USE THE FOGEL LETTER
One President Insists Circuit
May BE Continued With
Only Seven Clubs.

Gov. John X. Tener Of Pennsylvania.
president OF the National League. has
been clothed with absolute authority to
settle the case OF Charles w. Murphy OF
the Chicago Cubs. This information came
to THE SUS yesterday from a National
League source after the statement OF Ban
johnson that he. as president OF the
American League. could discipline any Of
his club owners with expulsion. IL neces-
cary, and that he had asked the National
League men to give similar power to
Gov. Tener.
Last week, 1T is learned. Gov. Tener's
election as president OF the National
League was confirmed when he signed a
four year ironclad contract, which also
was signed by an authorized representa-
tive Of each OF the eight clubs. The
Governors contract contains specific
clauses relating to his powers, which are
binding on each club member.
1t In known to be true that within the
last forty eight hours Gov. Tener has re-
ceived positive assurances of support In
whatever action he may take in the case
Of the belligerent Murphy from II. n.
Hampstead OF the New York club, G. II.
Ebbets Of the Brooklyn club. James T..
Carney Of Boston, W. r. Baker Of Phila-
delphia, Barney Drey fuss OF Pittsburg.
Schuyler y. Britton of 81. Louis and
August Hermann OF Cincinnati.
In view Of the fact that ban johnson.
Backed by the American League. declared
war on Murphy last week, as exclusively
published In Wednesdays Sun, Murphy
now stands absolutely without support In
the ranks of organized baseball. His own
ali n
Eooets. have turned against him. and It In
believed that serious trouble liz in store
for him.
When johnson and the American
League decided to make war on Murphy
last Tuesday. even at the risk OF breaking
on friendly relations with the National
League. Murphy's fate was sealed, ac-
cording to baseball politicians. The Ma
tlonal League promptly came to time with
the first blow at Murphyism by taking
Johnny Evcrs away from him. Evers was
handed over to the Boston Braves and
MuFphy's agreement with GafYney to take
Players Sweeney and Perdue In exchange
was cancelled by the leagues directors.
BY this action Murphy sustained a loss
OF about $4,000. 1t is figured. AS Evers's
release In cash would have netted at
least $4,000. while Sweeney and Fcrdue
II placed In the market could be disposed
OF for about 5000 each.
Murphy will be notified In a few days
that he must pay a big cash bonus to
Evers. II Is said. in the shape Of damages.
II he refuses TO abide by the decision
Of the directors, as he threatens to do,
he will be placed OH trial before the league
by Gov. Tener. II IL reported. and drastic
action will result. The National League
resolution, adopted In November. 1919.
to the effect that u representative Of a
club who fails to live up to the principles
nf fs f,,uv htvs rI,,,e n No r~
to the cetriment Of the other club owners
will be excluded from the leagues councils
will be the basis for Murphy's trial, SO the
story goes.
A certified copy OF the now famous
letter written by Horace Fogel in 1912
TO q. W. Forman. a Chicago newspaper
man, which Is said to involve Murphy In
the mess which resulted In Fogels ex-
puision, will he placed In evidence. This
document. together with the way Murphy
treated Frank Chance. Mordecai Brown
and Evers, will be grounds for a final
verdict So bitter IL the feeling against
the owner Of the Cubs that a prominent
National League club president said 10
THE Sun man yesterday:
III Murphy does not withdraw from the
control Of the Cubs he will be left high
and dry, and the National League will
dissolve TO reorganize new circuit and
TO play the season out with only seven
clubs. We will refuse to let our teams
play the Cubs either in Chicago or In
the other clubs. Murphy must 20. The
JIG 10 up and he will be 80 informed
officially this week. His case completely
overshadows the Federal League situa-
ton. He has been tolerated just LONG
enough and unless he Is eliminated the
National League will lose favor with the
baseball public
Gov. Tener returned here from Wash
ington last night. but he refused to dis
cuss Murphy's case In any way. He will
remain here to-day for several important
ha nehnll conferencea