The Washington times., 1916-02-06
National League Will
Celebrate Wednesday,
Washington Man Was First Secretary and His Work
Will Be Reviewed Around the Banquet Board
Griffith and Young to Attend.

Ou WGunG6uhN eNtIlHk hI lne w AIu-
orf-Astoria, New York city. the Ma
tional Baseball League will hold an in
vitation dinner celebrating the fortieth
anniversary Of It's organization. Clark
Griffith will be the only member Of
the Washington bail club present. He
was prominently connected with the
National League for many years prior
to his coming to washington. He leaves
tomorrow at 4 o'clock for New York.
Robert H. Young. son of Uncle Nick
Young, the first secretary OF the Ma
tlOnal League, will be another promi-
nent baseball man of Washington to
attend the banquet In New York We'd
nesday. Mr.. Young will leave Wash
ington Tuesday night.
The affair will be unique in baseball
and will bring together many Of the
men who were in the game years ago.
The old-time boys, who still declare
themselves young in spirit will be there
and Will tell about the days when base
ball was struggling to get firm foot
ing with the American public. The
lery at tho Waldorf, and there will be
$50 guests.
The national game, which now enjoys
euch popularity. will be reviewed by
gray-haired veterans who used to be
associated with the game in it's infant
days. There will be no set program OF
speeches. President John X. Tener. OF
the National League, who used to play
the game himself, will look about
among the guests and will call upon
several OF them to make remarks.
The dinner will attract many men
prominent in national llfe-clergymen
Judges, men noted in business affairs
literary pursuits and the world Of the
alricals.
Public officials will be present-men
who have followed the fortunes and
misfortunes OF the league since It was
started far back in 1875.
Mayor Mitchell will probably be there.
Theodore p. Shonts Dudley Field Ma
lone. Irwin Cobb, veteran ball players.
long since retired. old club owners. and
numerous individuals whose names are
written in baseball or other halls Of
fame will be the guests f.the league
on its fortieth birthday
The National League was orga nized
at q meeting at the Grand Central Hotel
in New York on February 2 1876. This
meeting followed a preliminary meet
ing held in Louisville the previous year.
IL was mainly through the efforts OF
William A. Hubert. of Chicago. that the
organization was brought about Mr..
Hubert was really the father Of the
National League. as 1t was he. together
with A. g. Spalding. who drew up the
firRt constitution.
-
The National League marked a great
change in the professional baseball sys-
tern. 1t was league of baseball clubs
instead Of baseball players No city
or less than 1900 population could be-
come a member, and the entrance fee
was made 800. A form OF PLAYERS con-
tract was adopted and rules were passed
prohibiting the pool selling and gam
bling evils which had wrecked the Ma
tional Association.
Morgan G. Bulkeley, Of Hartford was
elected the first president, and Nicholas
r. Young, of Washington, secretary, Mr..
Young received 500 a year for Ms serv-
ices. Mr.. BulkeleY was later governor
of Connecticut, and also United States
Senator from that State. In the forty
years of the leagues history only eight
men have ruled over its affairs. Mr.
Bulkeley served the first year, and vas
succeeded by William 4. Hubert, of
Chicago. He served until 1883. when A.
@. Mills. of New York, who was the au-
thor Of the reserve clause in players
contracts. took office and served for two
elected because the league reinstated
players who had violated the reservs
rule. Mr.. Mills was elected to honorary
membership to the National League,
but year later he resigned.
Uncle Nick" Young, OF Washington,
who had served as secretary since the
league was organized, was now elected
president, and he served continuously
for period of eighteen years. During
his regime the league passed through
many troublesome epochs. but weather
ed all storms 1t was during President
Young's term OF office that the league
was expanded into a twelve-club circuit.
This was in 1892, and the organization
was made up Of twelve clubs until the
end OF the 1899 season.
Then came the leagues stormiest
period. There was much dissension
strife. and trouble making. and condi-
tions became so bad that at the end of
the 1902 camhaiEn Mr.. Young left the
presidency. The league then was placed
In the hands OF a board Of directors,
with John T. Brush, OF New York as
chairman. This scheme did not work
we'll and then four OF the clubs tried
to elect a. G. SpaldinE president. Pitts
burgh, Philadelphia. Brooklyn and Chi
cago were behind Mr.. Spaldings can
didacy. The controversy was adjusted
by selecting a compromise candidate in
Harry c. Pulliam, then secretary OF the
Pittsburgh club. He took office in l90i
and served until 1909.
At Mr.. Pu'liam's deaht John A. Heyd-
Ter, who har served as secretary. was
elected TO serve during 19o9 as pres,-
dent. secretary and treasurer, Tn the
following year another eontroI crsy