The hatchet. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1883-19??, 1900-09-16

fore the smaller leagues have had all
the trouble, This year the major or
ganization seems to have had more
than its share of trouble. There have
been seasons when practically none Of
the clubs, either of the minor or the
major leagues, has made much of a
profit on the season. This year, IL
losses there be. the majority of disap-
pointments will be among the supposed
stronger clubs. l do not mean to in
sinuate that most of the National
league clubs will lose money this year,
for don't believe they will, but they
will not make as much money as was
expected when the circuit was cut
down from a dozen to eight clubs.
do MOI Ieiic, tndt - singh CluS IL the
League with the possible exception of
Freedman's Tammany Hall Tigers,
will lose anything to speak of. Yet the
fact that the smaller leagues have all
done so well this year shows conclu-
sively that 1t has not been an off sea
son for the national game.
The dissatisfaction among the own
ers of the major league clubs would in
dicate that something is wrong In that
particular organization. The club own
ers have laid entirely too much stress
upon the mighty dollar, their treatment
of their newspaper friends has been
discourteous, they blundered when
they forced the single umpire system
back down the throat of the public,
and they Numbered most unfortunate
ly when they admitted that they were
unable to put a summary stop to rowdy
tactics on the field Let the moneyed
men of the game think calmly over
these few suggestions, adapt different
tactics next year, and the chances are
that the troubles of 1901 will be inslg
nificant
While not an admirer of lnsurrec-
tons and secessiOns in sports or any
thing else, cannot help thinking that
the coming winter will see some sensa-
tiOnal moves made I'm baseball. 1t is
admitted that the National league
must be recognized. simply because
that famous indianapolis agreement
will expire next season. The people
interested in the formation of new
association have not been idle during
the present summer. although they
have said nothing about their inten-
tons. Premature publications spoiled
their plans last winter. and they have
learned n lesson. The organization of
the Players association places another
factor in the field which is a practical
menace to the club owners Should the
players decide TO cast their lot with
the newcomers, then the troubles of
the fraternity will be varied and many.
The League men. remembering their
victory over the Brotherhood. are dis
posed to talk lightly of the new Play
ers' association. They seem TO forget
that the new organization includes
within its ranks not only the players
In the larger league. but in most of the
state, interstate. eastern and western
leagues as well The Eastern league,
presided over by +. Il. Powers is
friendly TO the League. but the chances
are that the loyalty of the American
league clubs is not as certain. Should
the Western association fall into line
and a general war be made against the
millionalres Of the National league. the
latter would have all the trouble they
could hope to handle. OF course the
club owners Of the big league have or
ganization and money. but a combina-
ton of the minor leagues and all the
players would win in the end. provid-
ed they stood back to back.
1t Is the general opinion that the
players have been wise In their selec-
ton OF officers. Charles thinner is
one OF the veteran and brainy men Of
the profession. He has the confidence
of the club owners and respect OF the
players. Hugh Jennings. the secretary.
upon whose shoulders much OF the ac-
tive work must fall is another brainy
player who can hold bis Own In de.