Arizona weekly citizen., 1890-08-23
BASEBALL'S WAR.
Players Said to Have Made an
 Offer of Compromise.
THEY MAY HOLD A CONFERENCE.
What ". I. Harris Thinks of the Exist 'ng State of Affsirs-He Discusses the Subject of Two Circuits-The Baseball Outlook Is Very Dismal One.

| nB state or Auairs-He Discusses the | Subject of Two Circuits-The Baseball Outlook Is a Very Dismal One. The Players league has made an indi- rect offer of compromise and the National league has indirectly repudiated it One reason for the promptness with which the | proposition was discarded was because the | only concession offered was a change of names by the Players league. I hope a compromise measure can be agreed upon, because the game and all concerned with l it will be benefited; but 1t must be a com promise having different basis from that | offered in the proposition recently sub mitted to the National league. There is still another reason for the apparently absolute refusal of the latter to compro- mise, and that Is Q belief on its part tha: the successful operation of two first claSs leagues on the present lines is impossible The National league, however, is not so sure of this that it would refuse to,conEa with it's opponents in seeking a way to end the war. Nor could it afford to refuse a conference
 "We have not refused to compromise" said a prominent league man to me. ''Ns proposition has been made to us directly by the Players league. If they ask us to meet committee for the purpose of a settlement of the war do not think, or indeed do see how, the league could re- fuse. At the same time do not think any agreement could be reached"
 It is admitted by most authorities that the only compromise that could be of any definite value in restoring the public tn- terest in national championship to the vogue of 1889 is one that has for its basis the relinquishment of certain territory by both organizations so as to reduce the number of cities where there will be con- fiict of clubs, and also to reduce local partfsanship to the minimum figure. And it is this fact that would render the work of a conference committee such difficult and almost impossible task.
 In a recent article on this subject sug- gested two circuits that might enable both leagues to do 6 profitable business and re- store the game in a measure to the univer- sal favorit enjoyed from 1883 to 1889, which the present dissensions have temporarily abated. This is the division:
 National League-Brooklyn Philadel- phia, New York, Boston, Baltimore, Chi cago, Cleveland and Cincinnati
 Players Ieague-Buffalo, New York. Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Pittsburg, with Louisville, St. Louis or Columbus to fill up.
 These circuits are not the best by any means, but 1t seems to me that they are the most available, inasmuch as there might be some possibility of such an ar engagement. One objection would Ebe that it would place two clubs In New York and continue three in Philadelphia, and an- cfh fhaf Nrk sA- American Associations circuit
 Candidly do not believe that New York city, large as 1t is, will ever support two first class clubs satisfactorily, mainly be- cause of the intense feeling of local pride existing there. Two may possibly worry along if they have different names. Neither do believe that Philadelphia will support three clubs so that all hands will make e profit. A consideration of all the facts and the difficulties attendant upon a solu- tion of the problem naturally leads one to the belief that TO compromise can be reached Still an effort should be made, and the Players league would lose very little in public estimation by asking point blank for a conference
 President Byrne, of the Brooklyn club, ridicules a compromise. President Rob
  cided as Mr. Byrne.
 what then5
 Well, the outlook so far as I can see int the future of baseball Is dismal enoug The result of this fight has been justtwh.s .s I predicted 1t would be. Financial disastrous for both leagues, bod for tic players and later bad for high salaries. and hurtful to the game and public Inter est in it. To continue the fight means these things in greater degree, and possi- bly the injury to professional baseball may be so great as to put 1t back to the condi- tion it was when rescued by the National league in 1S76-T7. 1t Is true that the fight, if continued, will not be so direct in 1891, for there will be no conflicting dates, but there may, and probably will, be other things far more injurious to public esti- nation.
 It is greatly to the credit of the com batants that there has so far been no hip performing and no real suspicion of tt in the public mind. The maenates, and by this term I mean the capitalists and man agers of both sides, must bear in mind that once let such a suspicion take firm root in the public mind and it could be easily kindled too; the actual absence of the thing itself would not save the gate. Hippodrom- ing or crookedness would ruin professional baseball. It is not generally believed per haps how bad an influence was exerted on the public attendance at games by the pc euliar actions of certain players and man agers last season.
 Now what will a continuance of the war lead to2 Neither side will respect contracts pr reserve. And I do not believe that the contract will be carried into court. Players will be found on both sides who will be persuaded to jump to the other. lis true that in some cases the Hopping ,an be done gracefully, especially where have expired, but what will be ts effect on the pubicf Surely not one hat will inure to the benefit or asgran- lizement of professional baseball Already here are indications of Hopping. The man lgers of clubs should consider wen betprs hey insusurate the system, and if they ind it absolutely necessary only men whose have expired should be taken. Twould be better to take none at all. It ,eems to me that no club which takes in .he foppers, or the foppeys themselves. Ire likely to benefit by the deal where 1t is clean case of contract jumping.
 WHAT IS SAID.
 That in Nichols, Getzefn and Clarkson he Boston club has e tho of pitchers likely O land the penpapt-
 That Mike Kelly Is beginning to cover hort field like veteran
 That Danny Richardson's recent work in he same position has equaled the best yer done by John Ward.
 That the success of the PbAadelph1e -eaguers with only ope really reliable ,itcher has astonished the coupTy.
 W. 1. HARRIS