To-day we have the confidence of the public and the press of the country in the methods and the integrity of base ball in larger measure than at any prior period in the history of our national game. It devolves upon us to continue to deserve and retain this confidence. We must endeavor to do it. The interests of clubs and professional ball players are identical. One cannot succeed without the other. Success means mutual benefit. The moment any suspicion attaches to base ball, public confidence lost or even chilled, the occupation of the ball player is gone. We must all stand or fall together. There is no middle ground. We stand by the fundamental law, our national agreement, which guarantees protection to players as well as to clubs, or we destroy it. One road leads to the perpetuation of the national game, the other to its decline. There should be no place, no standing room in base ball for any anarchistic element which never aids in building up but is ever ready to destroy. The time has come when some action should be taken to place this element without the pale of our ranks. The National Board, operating under the national agreement, was created to protect and guard the interests of all players, clubs and associations identified with the agreement. Any attempt to encroach upon that, to nullify or affect any of its provisions, is of direct and material concern to all alike. The obligations of contracts, the right of reserve, and the territorial rights of clubs, associations and leagues must be upheld, and shall be, at any cost. It is a matter of public rumor and is also a fact which has come to our knowledge that men identified with clubs, members of the national agreement, have been co-operating in the formation of clubs or organizations whose purpose is to conflict with the national agreement. In view of this knowledge, the National League and American Association of Professional Clubs in convention assembled respectfully suggests to and requests the National Board to declare A. C. Buckenberger, William Barnie and Fred Pfeffer ineligible to be employed either as manager or player or in any capacity whatever, by any club or organization operating under the national agreement, and they be forthwith suspended. Such suspension to remain in force until such time as they or either of them can satisfy the National Board that they have in no way been engaged directly or indirectly in the organization of any club, league or association formed or to be formed in conflict with the principles of the national agreement. And in the event of their failure to relieve themselves from this suspension within such time as your Board may direct, they shall be expelled and forever debarred from any connection with clubs or organizations identified with the National Agreement of Professional Base Ball Clubs.