The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-21
TAFT WILL RESIST
GUSHING OF MURPHY
Makes Positive Statement just
Before Boarding Train
for Cincinnati.
WILL BACK HIM TO LIMIT
ChicagOan, Taken Ill, Unable to
Attend His Trial by
League To-day.

President Charles Webb Murphy will
not be present to-day In Cincinnati at the
National League conciave which may
Gust him from organised baseball. Muir
ply Is III, according to reports from Chi
cago, and cannot be on hand. But he will
be represented by "A powerful ally and
champion in the person OF Charles y.
Taft. the actual majority stakeholder Of
the Chicago Cubs.
Mr. Taft rode away from New York
last night on the Penn fier for Cincinnati.
On tho same train. without any prear-
rangement as far as Mr.. Taft was con-
cerned. was Charles II. Ebbets and Ed
Mckeever OF the Brooklyn club; James
Gaffney and George Stallings of the Bos-
ton club National League secretary John
Heydler and Attorney John Conway
Toole. This chance meeting with the
Cubs owner gave an unlocked for oppor-
tunity to talk the situation over before
Che magnates go into actual session.
Mr.. Taft appeared only mildly inter
ested when list OF Murphy's alleged
shortcomings was recited. He listened
attentively, however, and then made
positive statement that he intended back
ing Murphy to the limit and would re-
sist any effort to Dust his representative
from the National League.
1t Is not believed that Mr.. Tafts atti-
tude can save Murphy's scalp. The COM
plants against the man. who practically
Is to be placed ON trial. are too numerous
to admit of any change In plan, provided
thsy are proved. Tampering with Joe Tin
ker after that players services had been
awarded to Brooklyn, IL one Of the
charges ordering Perdue and Sweeney to
5t1l the Cubs after the league took these
mss away from him IL another. Whether
or not he is within his legal rights. Muir
ply has long been "a thorn in the side Of
the National League, and ii is a pretty
we'll settled fact that he is going to be
thrust out to-day unless he accepts a
chance to sell his stock and go peace
fully.
Three Dodger ball players and . horde
OF newspaper correspondents will sail
away for the South to-day on the City
Of Macon. The Newark ball club. fifteen
strong. and also having a few reporters
in tow, will embark OIL the same boat.
The Brooklyn party goes 10 Augusta and
the others 10 Columbus. Ca. to prepare
for the coming baseball season. An
official announcement from Ebbets's
office says: Doth parties will be in
CuarBe Ol =. H. fhDets. JT., VINO Will be
accompanied by Mrs. G. II. Ebbets, Jr.,
Charles II. Ebbets Sd. Dorothy Ebbets,
Virginia Ebbets and 4 friend"
Manager John McGraw OF the Giants
at last has broken the long silence Of his
world trip with the baseball tourists. Ia
letter 10 Secretary John Il. Foster ne
warns Gotham to look out for n real
ball player when next they set eyes on
Jim ThOrita Mct,rnW mo tad
change In National League presidents.
saying that he did not believe President
Lynch always treated him fairly, but
that the National League could congrat-
ulate itself II the next four years were
as successful as those under President
Lynch.
Not 10 shove the Federal League en-
drsly OUT of the limelight even for one
day. an organized baseball magnate sug-
sested possible case yesterday that
gives some food FOR thought. Hero is
the idea:
The Federal League is signing up bali
players at salaries r.putcd TO he fabulous
ana which are not warranted by condi-
lions. II these ball players report to the
Federal League and actually play ball
with that circuit they will automatically
blacklist themselves. What is TO prevent
any Federal team from dschartng any
Or All or It's high priced men unGcr the
ten day notice of release clause: Or
9aniZed ball won't take them back
They've got to live. That would make IL
look like a case OF either going to work
or making new terms with the Feds,
wouldn't III"
1t would
word was received from Birdie Cree in
te'eeram sent by the little outfielder
from his homo n Gu ID,
satisfied with his transfer from the New
Iorks to the Baltimore lnternationals.
rms Is taken to mean that there is no
danger OF the Feds snaring him and that
ne can be expected to sign a contract with
JACK Dunn in the next day or So