BASE BALL, TRAP SHOOTING AND GENERAL SPORTS Vol. 52-No. 19 Philadelphia, January 16, 1909 Price 5 Cents HONOR! The Grave Issue ized Ball Grandly Which Threaten Settled by the ed the Dignity and National Commis Autonomy of the sion to Universal World of Organ- Satisfaction. BY FRANCIS 0. RICHTER. each side laid its case fully before the Na HE most important, and incidentally tional Commission, which was thus enabled also the most imposing, meeting to get the fullest insight into the conditions of the National Commission was within the National Association that led T held at Cincinnati, January 4, 5, up to the rupture and crisis. Secretary Far- 6. The importance was due to rell, on behalf of the National Board, pre _ the fact that apart from the Com sented a reply to charges and arguments made mission©s routine business the by Mr. Killilea at the New York meeting. controversy between the National Association This report was most exhaustive and would, and revolted American Association and East if space permitted its publication, occupy ern League was up© for final settlement about two pages of "Sporting Life." la upon which rested the question of peace or his statement he went into the history of the war for 1909 in the minor league arena, with National Association from its organization grave possibilities and consequences for the to the time of American Association aud entire world of organized ball in the event Eastern League withdrawal, and also gave of final disagreement and resultant war. in detail the National Association©s contro That the gravity of the situation and the versies with the two revolted Class A leagues. importance of the issue put up to the Messrs. Powers and O©Brien replied to Mr. Farrell©s statement from a dissenting point National Commission was realized, was at of view and then Mr. Killilea made his ar tested by the presence of a host of base gument for the concessions demanded by the ball men of all degrees, including major revolting leagues as already given several league dignitaries, minor league magnates of times in "Sporting Life." His contention all classes, and a small army of managers, that the National Association©s tenure of life players, scribes and local fans the whole was but five years and had therefore ex making the occasion seem like a major league pired was combatted by Secretary Farrell, annual meeting. but the point apparently made little impres THE NATIONAL COMMISSION sion upon the National Commission. The was fully represented, Messrs. Herrmann, question of National Commission power and Pulliam and Johnson being aided at all ses jurisdiction in this case was also discussed sions by Secretary Bruce. Moral support by lawyer Killilea and the National Board, was afforded by the presence of National but the National Commission wisely refused League magnates Ebbetts, Dreyfuss, Dovey, to declare itself on this point the purpose Robison and Murphy. The only American being to first exhaust every means of mak League magnate present was President Frank ing the disputants reach a compromise be Farrell, who came all the way from New fore disclosing its own position and assert York to help his league chief. He also did ing its authority in the premises. splendid work in the way of pouring oil THE STAGE OF COMPROMISE. upon the troubled waters, and was undoubt When everything was threshed out the dis edly one of the chief factors in paving the puting factions were directed to find some way to a settlement by his unostentatious ROBERT SPADE basis of compromise in the interest of har and non-partisan attitude which elicited Pitcher of the Cincinnati National League Club. mony and peace. From the first the Na praise in all quarters. The American Asso tional Board members made it apparent that ciation and Eastern League clubs were all Robert Spade, pitcher of the Cincinnati Club, was born In Akron, Ohio, January i, 1879. He they were willing to make concessions, but represented in person to give aid aud com flrst attracted attention as a hard-hitting inflelder and pitcher, with the independent team of Kent. Ohio. He started his professional career with the Youngstown club, in 189G, After that year this in general debate could lead to nothing fort to their committee men, Messrs. O©Brien he played independent ball season after season throughout , Northern Ohio .until 1905, when he tangible, so at the suggestion of the Na and Powers, flanked by lawyer Henry Killi- joined the Jacksonville Club, of the South Atlantic 1-eague. Before that season was over he was tional Commission Mr. Killilea, for the bolt lea. The National Board was fully repre traded to the Macon Club. .In the fall of 1905 he was drafted by the St. Louis National League ers, and Mr. Farrell, for the National Board, sented, with the exception of Tim Humane, Club. After a two months© trial in 1906 he was released to the M.icon Club.1 with which he©finished were directed to act as a committee to reach for whom, however, Dr. Carson, of the Cen the season. For 1907 he was drafted by the Atlanto Club, of the Southern League. With that team he did such splendid work all season that the ©Cincinnati Club drafted him for 1908. In ©this a basis of agreement, after which the session tral League, proved an able substitute. The season he was used as a substitute pitcher for half the season and in mid-season would have been adjourned until 10.30 on Tuesday. After National Board was backed up in addition turned over to the New York Club but for a waiver technicality. The failure of the deal proved many hours of conference the two reached by President Morton, of the Ohio-Pennsyl a lucky thing for the Cincinnati Club, as thereafter©-Spade found himself and in the second half an agreement for submission to their re vania League; President Carpenter, of the of the season proved the Cincinnati team©s winning pitcher and mainstay. spective leagues which embodied the main Tri-State League; Secretary Glass, of the features of the compromise subsequently ac South Michigan League, and by a number of so protracted that much time was consumed, everything had been reduced to a business cepted by both parties and ratified by tha club owners from various minor leagues. and this was wearing upon the minds and basis, there was no friction. When all was National Commission. This provided for sepa A TRYING TIME. trying to the tempers of the various par over the only soreness left was among the rate classification of the American Associa It required all of three days and many ticipants; nevertheless, the debates and ne National Board men who still felt a lingering tion, Eastern League and Pacific Coast sessions to thresh out all angles of the acute gotiations were, in the main, conducted with resentment against Mr. Killilea for his at League; additional drafting privileges as to situation and this amply proved the wisdom dignity and there was but one disagreeable tack upon their probity in one instance and players and territory; control by the three of the National Commission in postponing incident. This was due to a hasty charge for what they considered bulldozing methods big leagues of their own affairs, except where further action at New York, where major against the integrity of the members of the in other instances. It may be said in review, a lower class player was involved, subject league business absorbed time and attention, National Board made by lawyer Kill^lea in however, considering the importance of the to appeal to the National Commission. The to this Cincinnati meeting where time could the course of a heated debate. This was issue and the conditions attending the battle, question of withdrawal from the National be found to do the business properly and to met with angry denunciation and challenge all parties thereto bore themselves admira Association and separate admission to the s finish. The National Commission disposed to proof. This Mr. Killilea could not meet bly and reflected credit upon their respect National Agreement was not included in this of its routine business on the first day (a and he retracted his statement entire, after ive causes and organizations. compromise as that was a matter for Na full report of which will be found on another a personal conflict between himself and Mr. STATING THE CASE. tional Commission decision. page) and thereafter was always at the Kavanaugh had been barely averted. There THE LIMIT OF CONCESSIONS. service of both parties to the minor league after, however, the relations between the The longest joint session was the first one On Tuesday this basis of compromise wa» controversy. The sessions were many, the contending factions became gradually more of Monday, which lasted from Monday after arguments were long, and the negotiations amicable and in the closing sessions, when noon until late at night. At this session (Continued on the second page.), JANUARY 16, 1909. into legal form and language as an appendix Boise and Pocatello. Grim will have the Salt Laka of the national game as conducted under the franchise. W. H. Lucas will be the president of tfc« National Agreement. He went into the mer to the National Agreement. new league. its of the conditions submitted, and in THE CHAIRMAN©S VALEDICTORY. Two claimants appeared for the Hot Springs fran chise in the Arkansas League, Dr. Fortes and A. S. courteous terms advised the two bolting With matters in this satisfactory state the Riggs.