The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-30

instatement will be made TO tho Ma
tiohal Commission members II once nv
wire. At least one of the National
commission is with me on the PROPOSE
non. Ban johnson told me to GO ahead
WIN kauh and that he would stand
behind me-"
President Harry n. Homestead Of the
view york Nationals refused 10 go into
detail In the matter of Kauff's connec-
ton with the Giants.
can assure YOU positively" he said.
mat the New York club has violated
none or organized basehalrs rules i'm
SIGNING kaun. We have acted through
out In the best Of faith and time will
prove the Justice OF our contentious"
President John *. Tener seemed
quite positive that Kaun would not he
eligible to play in New York livery FOR
some time II ever
"kauif." said he. deserted organized
baseball and played with an outlaw
club. There are set rules and regula-
lions which must guide the conduct "
kaun $ future relations with organized
baseball. In the first place he must
make personal application to the Ma
tlonal Commission for reinstatement
ne must submit minute evidence in de-
fence Of his desertion. Then IL will be
up 20 the commission to say whether o.
not the offender Is to he forgiven
You Will realize that a great prln-
ciple Is involved IN this case. "A prin-
clple Affecting not only Kauff but every
other player who has deserted organ
lied baseball for the independents.
There Is a rule in organized baseball
which likes set penalty, under exist
ing conditions, for just such an Offence
as kauff committed when he disregardod
the reserve clause Of the indianapolis
American Association club. That ruiz.
established when the Pacific Coast out
laws We're taken into our organization
provides suspension for term of three
years
II do not know whether or not the
National Commission would see III 70
take such drastic action against Kaufr
IL he were TO apply for reinstai cment.
But ! DO know that whatever action Il
might take would establish q pr.ceden:
which would influence the POSSIBLE APP
plication of the many former players ~
organized baseball now associated with
the Federal League.
Mr.. Tener also spoke In no uncertain
terms of his displcasurc AT having his
league confronted with even tine techni-
cality Of contract tampering al this
particular time when the Fundamental
principle involved Is stil being consid-
cred 10y Judge Lands of Chicago
Robert r. Ward. president Of the
brooklyn Federal League club when in
formed of kaufr dcser,ion to the
Giants, declared most empha'ically that
the player was bound to his organ.za.
ton by ties mat could not bc broken
ny outside parties. Mr.. Ward refused,
however. to discuss any Possible action
on his behalf until he learned just wha;
attitude President Tener Of the National
League might assume As soon Is Nr.
Ward was made acquainted with KHufr's
hop to the Giants he sent tine follow
ing telegram IL BON President Tener
and Harry y. Hempst"ad of the Giants:
ReCardiny reported Jump OF Player
Kauff to New York National League
club | wish to advise that the Broof-
Ign Federal League Baseball club 30,
At all times respected valid contracts
with players also wish TO inform
you that Player kauff hasa valid and
binding contract with the BROOKLYN
Federal League Baseball club. Would
he pleased 20 have you advise me
what action YOU propose To- take IN
the matter.
BROOKLYN FEDERAL LEAGUE RAsr-
RAIL CLUB
Il. q WARD, President.
That Benny Kauf rad some fancicd or
real grievance against his employers was
evidenced by "A letter from the player 10
Robert n. Ward under date of April -
Wednesday,, which ran as follows
As have not received a reply to my
former letter with reference 10 my
contract ! must have the same 10y TO-
morrow, Thursday, Apri, ~. at /.
o'clock noon. II cannot go on in this
uncertain condition. l must have re-
ply in writing.
In the statements of McGraw and
kauff after yesterdays game it was in
situated that Robert b Ward lad made
null and void the contract his club held
with Kauff by refusing to pay the player
20 date his salary AZ the rate stipulated
in the bond. This allegation Mr.. Ward
denied. He said that the first payday
of his players fell on May to-mor-
row., but that Kauff already lad re-
ceived 1880 from the club--s1500 adj
vance salary when he signed and $500
additional through occasional touches"
Manager Lee Magee OF the TIN Tops.
az we'll as Business Manager Dick Car
roll. declared that no effort had been
made to evade the terms of kauff's con-
tract They added that If Kauff really
had signed with the Giants he would
regret his act
President Gaffney declared last night
that he had acted IN the very best OF
faith in refusing TO allow his team to
participate in a game against kauff
Il was sure" said he. that kauff was
ineligible by the rules of organized base
ball. | did not refuse to sanction the
game. however. until by calling UP
President Tener ] made sure OF my
ground Had ! fooisEly permitted my
club to go ahead | would have left every
member of the worlds champions open
to suspension for having participated in
a game with an ineligible player. |
took my stand for self-pi election. No
one was more pleased than | when New
York finally agreed to proceed without
kauff"
Benjamin Kauif. around whom CEN
tired all the excitement and furore, is by
no means "A stranger i'm these parts. He
broke into fast company with the YAM
KEGS under the Farrell regime when
Hal Chase assumed the management in
III. spring of 1917. Benny's greatest ac-
complshment n that time ,as u busher)
was the foat of chewing tobacco, smol.
ing a cigar and taking IA glass of beer
without interruption To any of the three
pursuits The ninetceu-year-old buddin-s
phcnom, who maintained at the time
that he would live to see the day that
he would eclipse rs cobb, might have
attracted more attention hut for the UNI
fort innate habit of running too far on his
hits The only chance he had of ever
being safe on one was to hit for the
circuit
Chase farrned Kauff 10 the New England
League. He returned the following spring
to Harry WOlvorton, who had succeeded
Chase, Kauif appeared still too green
for fast company, Wolverton sent him
TO Gene Mccain in New London
Through some oversight the New York
American League club lost claim 10 tho