The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-18
BASEBALL WAR
BIG LEAGUE MAGNATES ARE AT
 LOGGERHEADs.
National Board Involved ln q Control versy Which May Have mn Im- POrtant Barring on the
 Southern League,

It looks like some shFewd diplomacy Will De necessary to avert a rupture and possibly another baseball war It will be seen from The Advertisers s telegraphic account that the American League yesterday refused to accede to the demands of the minor leagues the National Association. The compro- mise offered by President Johnson of the American League looks extremely fair. Instead of $1 500 for Class A. he Is willing for $1,0OO and $75o in- stead of $1,00O for Class A, etc He further agrees that if at the end of a years trial his plan Is not satisfactory the original drafting prices proposed by the National Association shall be adopted.
 Howard Griffith. representing the Ma tional Association, fatly refused to ac- cept the compromise, and demanded the plant of the minors or nothing.
 It Is now up to the National Board the supreme court of baseball. consist ing Of Harry Pulliam, President of the National League: Ban Johnson, Pres ldent Of the American League, and Gar ry Hermann of the Cincinnati Club in the National League. The National League has already agreed to the de- mands of the minors, and as there are two National League men to one Amer ican League on the National Board if Is possible that the demands of the minors will after all, be granted.
 In the event that the National Board decides to uphold the action of the American League of yesterday, it Is possible that the minor leagues will secede from the national agreement. If this is done it will mean another disastrous baseball war with the Ma tional Association (minor leagues), on the one side and the two big leagues on the other.
 There is no question that the minor leagues would present an adamantine front, for a few days ago President pnVUnFG -nFa National Association sent circular let ters to the different minor leagues ask ing their views. and in every instance there was an unqualified resolve to- stick to the demands made at yester- days meeting.
 The amending of the National agree ment requires a unanimous vote from the three parties to 1.-the National Association, and if the latter gets out of 1t there will more than likely be a hot fight. The mipors with their thous- ands of ball players, hundreds of cities vlously have the best of the fight. The big leagues could not take a single ball player from any of the minor clubs while the latter could take men from the ranks of the big League at any time. The minor leagues could en- croach on the territory of the big leagues and put rival clubs in the prin- cipal big league towns.
 l ne SEE HlHCdnFS or the SlLQatlOn can hardly be exaggerated, and 1t Is possi- ble that President Johnson does not realize the gravity of his action yes terday
 It is to be sincerely hoped for the good of baseball that everything will be patched up and made harmonious again. Baseball is now in 'he most fourishing condition ever known in the history of the great game and another baseball war would be extremely harm ful. Salaries would again go out of all reason and things generally would be turned topsy -turvy.
 The brilliant outlook for the com ing season in Montgomery is a fair sample of the existing condition throughout the length and breadth of the National Associa ton. President kavanangh has in a remarkably clever manner steered the Southern League through some storms, and the baseball people in Montgomery have unques- tioning confidence in his ability and lastuteness. If there is any possible chance he will strike some heavy blows in New York in the interests of pre- serving inte"t the peace that prevails ir the world of baseball. His cool, clear head has overcome some ugly breakers in Montgomery, and if he does this he should assuredly be placed at the head of the baseball hall of fame.
 The action of the National Board will decide whether the Southern League meeting to be held here one week from today will be stormy or peacetuL