The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-11
Noah HenIine Gives Inside h. formation Concerning the
 Interesting Situation
SAYS JEFFRIES PREPARES
 ID FIGHT JACK JOHNSON
Chance Will Certainly Return To Chi cago-Makes Inquiries About Downey-News of Former
 Southern Leaguers.
By NOAH HENLINE.

By NOAH HENLlNE.
 Los Angeles, Cal, January 10.-(Special) Since I wrote The Age-Herald two weeks ago things are beginning to thicken up in a baseball way out in this country, and I see that the national commission has done that which it thinks the fair thing in reference to it's bad children, the American association, the Eastern and Pacific leagues. Nearly everybody wheth- CT they be fans or promoters, are in terested in the efforts of organized base ball to bring the California State ''out- laws" under protection, and l believe few words will not be amiss since am at present in the very storm center of the controversy. Presidents Pulllam and Johnson came west about two weeks ago, ostensibly to meet the moguls of the outlaws in an effort to bring them under protection, but the demands of the state leaguers were such that the whole deal was declared off and war became inevit- able I want to state that l am reciting my observations as they occur to me per sonally and without prejudice one way or the other Ultimately l think the out laws will be compelled to come under protection, but just how long it will re- qure to freeze them out remains to be seen, and the fight will be much harder than the powers of organized baseball anticipate.
 Leaning Toward Outlaws.
 The fans of the coast, as a class, seem to lean toward outlaw baseball! This fact is evident in the amount of patronage given the coast outlaws in opposition to the Paci..c National before the coast league was taken under protection ana about the same conditions, in spite Of the further elevation of the Pacific Coast, appear to be shaping themselves again. The outlaw league as it was last sea son, encroached but very little on the coast league, but the coming season will be very different and merry war is i'm minent. The San Francisco and Oakland teams of last year which were the only teams in a coast city, were very poor or ganizations finishing seventh and eighth in an eight-team league, but this year all this will be changed. The pennant win ming Stocton team still clings to the hope that Hal Chase will remain here, and be it's manager. The team is composed of stars from every section of the coun- try and has a park within walking dis tance from the heart of San Francisco. When it is remembered that the coast league management is not popular in San Francisco, it begins to appear as if the outlaws had an even break coming, If not a decided advantage. Across the bay in Oakland the outlaws have strengthened their team to compete with the coast team of that city and the balance of power will naturally go to that club which furnishes the best article of baseball, and has the most convenient park. However, Los Angeles is the place in which the outlaws as a whole, will either conquer or meet their Waterloo. The supreme rulers of the outlaws are now in Los Angeles completing arrangements for team and grounds and as Los Angeles is the best city from a patronage stand point it will be a war to the knife here The outlaws will be up against the real thing here, as the management of the protected team is exceedingly popular with the fans. Henry Berry Is exceed ingly popular here, and is financially able to remain for the big show. but as I have stated, the fans here do lean toward outlaw baseball, and I believe that if they secure a park near the business section of the city, and if they put in a team headed by ex-big leaguers. that they will give the coast team a run for It's money.
 From every standpoint the situation is
 AI,s,, Because the Pacific Coast league has been elevated to Class A the fans are no warmer adherents than heretofore. The belief here is that the Pacific Coast league has been given that which it does not deserve.
 Jeffres Will Fight.
 .sNow I have a little prizefght gossip for VOL There is no doubt in the world, you may take 1t from me, but that Jim Jeffries will make the negro Jack John son jump out of the ring within space of ten months.
 q can report it straight that Jeffries ia at present in training and has been in training for four weeks He will appear fin a vaudeville boxing stunt in San Fran cisco next week at salary of $S0OO per week. This is the first theatrical engagement he has ever accepted. This looks as if he is going to fight, doesn't if? Jeff sees about $100 900 awaiting him. win or lose and he will fight. There Is no doubt in the minds of coast fighting fans but that this is true.
 Dungan on Deck.
 'In my last letter I forgot to mention that the old Southern league favorite, Sam Dungan, formerly with Memphis, umpires our Sunday games for us. We have just signed new man, Altizer, last season with Washington, but who since has been traded to Cleveland and the White Sox. He was i'll during last sum mer, but has fully regained his health, and will make rlelder Jones valuable shortstop next season.
 New Years Day We defeated the Salt Lake team 3 to l. A young pitcher by the name of I.igger, who pitcher for Shreveport last year and who next sea- son will be with Mobile, pitched for Salt Lake and we hit him freely.
 Gossip of Chance.
 You Southern league fans may rest as- sured that Frank Chance wiiI return to the Cubs. I am passing my opinion on the conversations l have had with him. He told me that he would return to the Cubs if Murphy gave him what he want