The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-17
W |I ON The COAST
Californians Attempt to Wreck the
Older Organizations Desertion !.
of Portland.

A baseball war with all that the term
implies is on in real earnest: in the Pa
cific northwest. ZEE 80 = :, - 8 - - j.
On one side is arrayed the Pacific North
west League, established three years ago
under the direction of President Lucas
League, an outlaw organization, practical
" owned and directed by Al Harris Of San
Francisco. - = = p =
These. two forces have declared an UNI
dying enemity and every effort is being
put forth by each Of them to thwart the
plans and cripple the popularity and power
Of the other. AS a; result much bitter
feeling has been engendered and the com
ing season is likely to produce some spec
tacular baseball features and will probably
result in the survival Of the f1ttest. Which
Of the two forces that will be remains to
be seen :. ~. ...s
The Pacific, Northwest League was or
ganized three years ago this winter and
was a. first composed Of clubs represent
| ing Portland, Ore, Seattle, Tacoma, and
Spokane, Wash. Last year Butte and
Helena were admitted into the league and
most prosperous season was enjoyed
The receipts of the various clubs of the
league compared more; than faVorably with
those of other minor league organizations
in the country. = ~ $500 - ~
The baseball prosperity in this league
was such as to attract the attention of Mr.
Harris Of California and attention led tc
other things. A visit to Portland and Sc.
attic followed and the result was that 8
new league was formed, called the Pacific
Coast League, composed Of the California
League clubs and one club in each Of the
two northwest cities, Portland and Sc.
attic. -.. F.. -. s':;'. =. ..-
! Portland Franchise Forfeited.
Managers Vigneux and Marshall of Port
land heartily favored the new league. an(
! have been largely instrumental in the pro
mitigating the present conditions Of un
rest. They endeavored to hold the Pacif,
Northwest League franchise, Intending t,
put in a cheap team and thus avoid pay
ing forfeit money and still have the new
league paramount in the public eye. Thi
plan was frustrated however, at a meeting
of the league directors at Spokane abou
| two weeks ago. At this gathering of tn
magnates Portland's franchise was de
clared forfeited and the, clubs forfeit
money was turned into the leagues treas
ury. >.
+ Manager Dugdale. Of Seattle is true t
his first love and is going to fight the goo
fight and keep faith with the Pacifi
/ Northwest League. He states that he mad
good money with the league club last sea
son and that he is willing to lose it all i
, the good cause this season. Meantime tn
EPacif1c League has secured grounds an
the necessary backing and is to have
Seattle club -.t,>g a.r-; 49,, ~.
President Lucas Of the Pacific North
west LeagueE.is very sanguine as to til
outcome OF the struggle. He has the back
ing of the National association OF base
u ball leagtues and attpfesent other member
of that organfzationa are ijunlping lin an
picking 1upf SO n1anyGof the good Californi
players that the Harris league Is apt
find >itsef. in bankrupt condition whe
, the season really opens. Lucas turtle
maintains that his league is we'll 3estab
!. ltshedd can afford 80 pay as high If nc
higher salaries as the new league, an
;; that it will be able to put up the kind {
;, ball that the public wants: and will pa
, to see. r. :"
: Neither Seattle nor Portland is larg
( enough to support two ball teams and til
J result will be that the best team will Wi
; out. The struggle is attracting much in
: terest all over that part of the country an
the result is awaited with more than a
) ordinary amount Of interest Manage
t Harris Of San Francisco states that if til