The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-10

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TO 8 +. NJ enabled the National League
to conclude its spring meeting at the
Waldorf-Astoria Yesterday afternoon In
time for the macna;cs to primp properly
I for the big banquet In the evening tina,
celebrated the fortieth anniversary OF the
birth OF the parent major organization
Tener' and his associates accomplished
little of a startling nature in their iinal
confer cnce. They voted to amend the
national peace agreement so ~ to allow
minor leagues to tender contracts to
ilayers as late as March / each rear In
stead Of making Il compulsory to for
ward the instruments before February I.
The major leagues will observe the Feb
Iuary 1 date as heretofore. The matter
OF course IL one which must be con
CURED IN 10y the American League. ban
Johnson already has pledged his league
To- grant the boon to the minors.
The rule which provided that a player
under suspension should not he paid FOR
the time lost was modified in order 10 in
dude the club In the same
category, 4 fine OF $3.50 for II club VIC
lating this new rule was established.
The rule abou; calling games by mutual
consent IN order to make trains was
clarified. Hereafter the last" train will
be considered the latest schedule to max.
the next city at least one hour before
game time.
Charles II. Ebbets's suggestions ~ a
new mode of draft were considered IA
vorably and will he recommended to tn.
American League. The idea. OF course
also will have to be ratified by the Ma
tional Association. which governs the
minor leagues. The Ebbets idea. az .N-
planned by him, Is TO give the eighth
place club in each major league first
pick Oh players eligible to draft by that
league. the seventh club second pick and
SO on up TO the p%ennant winners. In.
process 10 he repeated In rotation until
all the players subject to draft hay,
been disposed OF. In all prob;. oility tn,
lsbbets draft plan. with certain moditica-
;lous. VIII become the standard OF draft
next fall
Ebb'ts. however. batted only 500 in
the conversational box score. as he wou
one argument, lost another and drew a
eaciiiic. on the third His proposition 10
provide 1000 quarter bleicher seats was
withdrawn by the Squire before ii got "a
III" issue of a vote. lie was defeated in
u motion to increase the number OF
members of the board Of directors from
five to eight.
After n long drawn cut discussion il
was decided not 10 make any change In
the roster limit of twruty-onc PLAYERS
that obtained last season. Boston and
chicago backed New York in a plea &c
loosen this number by one one or TIVE
clubs thought twenty players quite
enough. on account OF the amalgama-
t!on of the Cubs and Whales in 'hicag,
q. a.-. -HA-..
Charl.~ Wceghman might have an adj
vantage. as he is not required by IN.
i"ace agreement 10 conform to the tween.
ty-Onc player roster reserve until May |
1917. After May | of this year. how.
ever. Weeghman Will not be permitted to
maintain an eligibility list Of more thar
twenty-One. lie assured his colleague
that they need hay. no fear OF any jug
CLING on his par; to make changes o'
permanent lineup. as he would take only
twenty-six players TO the Tampa. Fla.
training amp.
The league decided To- - -cIud the rul.
prohibiting ante-seasun exhibition am
between National League teams. Thes'
will he permitted but to the far Soutl
only while the clubs are really at theiI
spring quarters.
~ aNhNAtlfHNA 80
bratci the fortieth anniversary of IL
organization with a banquet at the Wal
dorf- Astoria last night. attended 10y ia,
great lumInsiieS of III" game and a mum
Der of the distinguished lights Of the pc
litical world of this and adjacent States.
An,oug the speakers were Morgan q
Buckley, first president OF the Ndtiont
League ard late Governor Of Connect
cut a q Mills, the third leagu" presi
dent \. II. Solcn, former Boston mag
nate. Al Reach. irwin :. cobb, George
Graham, Tim Murnane and sam Crane
veteran National League players Of tn
late seventies August Hermann. chair
man Of the National commission JOIN
T.. Hrurc. secretary az the same organ
eaton. and AL Of the National League
club presidents. President % X
T'erer OF the National League was toast
master.
The new National League maEnates
Percy r. ilaughton of Boston AM
Charles W~ceghman of Chicago, made
most favorable impression -. both thci
colleagues and auditors. Iisught"n l''
proved himself throughout tn" m"ct!u.
q sportsman Of really red blood and Al
all round good fellow besidc lie Mt
in baseball.
Among the guests ~ honor who spoE,
was William Howard Taft, former Pres
idcnt of tho United States. Mr.. Taft
who is an ardent fan, eulogiz"d TN
great summer sport and expressed th'
hope that the game would continue IL
prugreSs in the future as II has through
tho forty years of the National League.
life.
Among those present were tn" Hon
Robert Adanrot, Charles A, Angel
Harry Ackerlaud, william T.. nalJ"r, I'D
ward q. Barrow. Dighy Boil. Sol Boom
George W. Bradley. PANEL NJ. Irtdy
schuyler T.. Br,tton. l.. NJ. RranuIck, JOh'
T.. Bruce. James ! callahan. Fred 7
CHAMBER, g. 7. chaplin, Thomas \ 'ogar
William r. 'onant, y. 4. Cornish, VIII
lam II. Cowcn.
John II. Day, Cyril de Cnrioya, Fran
Do"lSrr, Barney p~reyfuss, William II
Draper. John Dunn. Robert II. Davis. e.
II. Ebb'ts. ~ Edwards. the Rev. y VI
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