The Washington times., 1907-10-29
MINORS DEMANDS
CAUSING MAJORS
TO TAKE NOTICE
War Talk DeCried, But
Changes Must
Come.
By SAM CRANE.

NEW YORK, oct. Representative
OF thirty baseball leagues, comprising
1876 clubs that have under reserve and
control nearly 3.1OO players. meet at
the Fifth Avenue Hotel today to legis-
late on questions OF very great impOr-
tance TO minor league baseball and II
is not lm portable that matters OF the
greatest import to the big National and
American leagues and organized base
ball may also come up for consideration
and decisive action.
While there appears to be a disposi-
tion among the delegates TO pOoh-pooh
at the war talk and scare started by
Mike CantlllOn. Of the American Asso-
citation, stiu, the action of the Eastern
League at its meeting in appointing
a war committee or consultation
board TO act with President Powers,
"in case the necessity arises" is signih-
can't inasmuch as it shows that the
powerful Eastern League. while it may
not take any stock in the prospects OF
way, as p. 7. Powers tried TO impress
on his hearers, Is going TO be prepared
for any sudden developments.
A. A. Demands Concessions.
The American Association delegates
on hand are still full OF fight and say
they viii demand more and bigger con
cessions than they are now accorded
under Class A protection. Whether this
VIII take the form OF major league pro-
lection exclusively for their own organ
ization is not known, but It Is rumored
that the rebel league has already per-
fected arrangements to locate q club in
Chicago, and If that IS SO and not an
fTEa1.
liable to be hot times at the session OF
the National Association Of Professional
Leagues. The Eastern League will ask
for a higher class protection than IL
now enjoys under Class A, and will
make the stifLest kind OF fight for IT
There are three other leagues now in
class A besides the Eastern and the
American associations They are the
Western League, Southern League. and
Paeihc Coast League, and they are not
going to see their prestige as leaders OF
minors 90 ghmmertnE.
Where Injustice Comes In.
The entire National Association, with
out regard TO the class OF protection
they are under. win be a unit in de-
manding further concessions from the
two big leagues on the player question
AS the case stands now, the National
and American leagues can draft one
p-eig CT from eaCn OF Ln6 class A clubs,
and al OF the players they desire from
classes 3, c. and y clubs. This, Of
course, works great injustice 70 the
lower classes.
There are several big league clubs who
have on their reserve lists anywhere
from thirty-five to seventy players. and
Of course, Il IS out OF the question for
any Cub 10 use any such number Of
players That IS unjust 20 the players
as well as the smaller clubs, who are
unable 10 secure players until the DUNN
ing process IS begun.
What Association Wants.
The National Association will. there
fore. advocate the PRONUNCIATION OF a
rule that viii prevent the Zig league
clubs from carrying on their reserve
lists more than twenty-five or thirty
players, or some stated number,
This seems a perfectly fair rule.
and doubtless the major league clubs
will welcome such an innovation, which
VIII enable them 70 reduce expenses.
The entire situation viii be thoroughIy
ventilated, and there is no doubt OF the
fact that the minor leaguers mean busi-
ness and will show their feelings to
the national commission in no uncer-
tain manner.
Powerful Organization.
The National Association was never so
powerful as Eow, and wttB a united
front It can make the supreme court
Of baseball knUcliIe. The corridors OF
tie Fifth Avenue Hotel were thronged
with magnates, managers, and players
this morning.
There are other delegates from all
ever the United States and Canada, and
it is surely a represen ntative baseball