The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-18
DENY DOG TRADE
O. B. Men Say Player Wasn't
Traded for Canine.
The Mich 'pfputsdoPup Be-
longed to Hopper Himself.

Chicago, Jam 1S.LAdditional aff-
davits were filed today in the United
States district court by various officials
of organized baseball supporting their
contention that the Federal League is
not entitled to the relief asked in its
suit for the dissolution of the national
commission and it's affiliated clubs as
violators of the federal antitrust act
In one of the affidavits Roger p. Bres-
nahan, now manager of the Chicago
Nationals, denied the assertion that
while manager of the ST. Louis Ma
tionals he traded Booth Hoppec,
pitcher, for a bird dog.
Bresnahan with much detail told of
meeting Hopper in Tennessee while on
a hunting trip and of trying out the
pitcher on a training trip and of see
ing there a bird dog which he adj
mired.
The dog belonged to Hopper, the
affidavit declared. and was offered by
the owner to Bresnahan. The Bres-
nahan affidavit then continued:
Il told him l could not use the dog,
! as / then had five of my own. Just
before the opening Of the regular sea
son, Mr. Kipsella, then manager and
I owner of the Springfield. ILL.,, baseball
club, came to st. Louis in search of
a pitcher. 1 told him that we had a
young man of the name of Hopper
whom we were going to let out and if
he wanted to talk with him and sign
him for. the Springfield club he could
! do SO.
Hopper Needed Money
! ..Whereupon Mr.. Kinsella told me
if Mr.. Hopper developed and showed
any ability at all he would give the
st. Louis National League club the
first opportunity to purchase his re-
/ lease that fall During the converse
ton Kinsella had with Hopper at our
club house in st. Louis Hopper again
asked me to buy his dog, as he needed
money. Kinsella asked me all about
the dog and if 1 wanted it. 1 told him
that liked the dog. but as l then had
five l would not buy it, whereupon
Kinsella said he wanted to do some
thing for me, and if l would accept
1 the dog he would buy 1t.
Il do not know what transaction
Kinsella had with Hopper or any
thing concerning the term of the con-
tract between them. but do know that
Hopper sent for his dog and Kinsella
brought the dog to me at st. Louis.
| THE statement that l traded Booth
Hopper for a bird dog is an absolute
falsehoOd, and I would suggest that
| Booth Hopper be communicated with
on this matter as he can verify my
statements as can Mr.. Kinse1la.''
To Keep Sport Clean.
Il Bresnahan included in his AFFIDAVIT,
q description Of negotiations which he
made last fall with federal league of
ficials relative to accepting the posi-
ton of manager for the Brooklyn
Federals. Herman d. Seekamp, man
ager and treasurer of the American
Baseball and Athletic Exhibition com
pany of St. Louis. operating the St
Louis Nationals. deposed that he has
no knowledge of the alleged bird dos
incident and that his records showed
that the services of Hopper were pur
chased in August. 1913. by the St
Louis Nationals for $1,000.
In a sworn statement Charles H
q Ebbets, president of the Brooklyn Ma
tionals declared that the Nationa
league Of professional baseball club
, at its birth forty years ago shoulderes
, the heavy responsibility of cleansin,
Americas national passime of tn
evils OF gambling. bribing Of players
deliberate violation OF contracts b.
players, intemDerance and insub0rdi
knntiOn.