The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-27
SPORTS
HOPING FOR PEACE
Fans Desire Compromise Between
American and Western.
SPORTING LIES VIEW OF CASE
"A Rough Future for American Assoc
citation Predicted as u
Possibility.

The present squabble between the West
ern league and the ambitious American
association is deplored everywhere w
those interested in baseball and there Is
a general expression of hope that sohe
compromise may be effected before the
playing season begins. Sporting Life IN
Its last number gives an able preSenta
ton Df the status Of the present row.
though unduly impressed with the strength
and influence of the Western league ana
Its ally, the National association inere
need be no apprehension for the American
association. 1t has not one TENN W
contend with that the American league
had a year ago. In Kansas City and
Omaha only will there be composition
with the Western league. The only
place in which an entirely new team ana
new grounds must be secured is at Omaha
and there the sentiment of the press anu
the public is with the bigger and faster
American association. Sporting Llte mas
this to say of the controversy:
At present there appears no prospect OF
peaceful settlement of the issue between the
western league and the new American assocla-
ton. The Western league, spurred on by the
National association, at its meeting last week
declared for war to the knife and laid its lines
accordingly For this fight the American as
sociaton Is at present in better shape than
the Western league, as the former has
strong circuit made up, while the latter has
yet to complete and soldify its organization.
The question Of relative financial strength IS
an open one. The important factor In the
struggle is the National association, when
has decided to throw its full weight In the
scales with the Western league. Under the
circumstances, it will probably be hot light,
In which all hands will be more or less hurt.
The National association has taken the de-
lection of the new American association Sc
riously, because by its independent course
the new league has broken the National asso-
cations solidarity. has afforded handle for
the scoffers at minor league unity, has AFFECT
ed the value Of the National associations dis
culinary measures, and has impaired the ettl-
cacy of the laws protective of property rights.
The American Association has, moreover,
hurt the National associations pride and
prestige by compelling it, in self-protectlon,
to suspend the salary limit for class A
leagues, thus adding to the intense irritation
In National association circles.
The American association affects to regard
lightly the attitude and opposition Of the Ma
tional association, but in this it is making a
mistake. Probably for time the new league
will be able to navigate successfully alone.
But when triparttte agreement is reached
between the two major leagues and the Ma
tiona association-as it eventually must-it
viii go hard indeed with the American asso-
citation should it be excluded from fellowship
as seems to be the purpose of the National
association. AS a possible independent party
to al-embracing national agreement the
american association will not be accepted.
The arguments advanced by American asso-
citation partizans that that league can work
en- Independent lines quite as successfully as
did the California and American leagues Is
fallacious. The California league enjoys an
advantage geographical isolation not
shared by other leagues; but even that advan-
tage will not much longer stay In the way OF
that league joining the National association
The American league never ventured to go
alone as a sectional minor league but fought
and won it's battle for independence (aided by
National league stupidity as a major league
of national proportions, which the American
Association is assuredly not, despite its fine
circuit.
We do not believe that any minor league, no
matter how strong, can permanently maintain
itself in independence of or opposition to the
entire world of organized ball. At the same
time strong league, such as the new Amerl-
can association, can inf1ct considerable dam
age. especially at this transition stage. There
fore, we again plead that for the best interests
of all concerned, some way should be found
to bring the American association into the
told o. that very important, useful and neces-
sary body-the National Association of Pro-
fessional leagues. That is worth making
nome concessions even sacrifices, for