The Washington herald., 1910-11-05
Carlisle Braves After Vrgna Scalp Capital Gon This Afternoon
FLETCHER'S LEAGUE
WORRIES MAGNATES
National Commission Plans
to Put CruSher on 1t.

New York, Nov. 4.-D A Fletcher. OF
Toledo, who has threatened a third major
league for next season, has organized
baseball more worried than the magnates
care to show. Fletcher himself Is not
seriously regarded. He is a professional
promoter. and himself admits that he
depends upon the capital OF others 10
swing his enterprise. Yet Fletcher is so
persistent in his hobby and is so open
in his maneuvers that the powers Of
baseball have at last begun to take
notice
Fletcher states that he has raised
100000 backing. and that he already has
secured five Of his proposed eight clubs
He Is soon coming 10 New York TO open
offices, he declares, 10 be on hand 10 meet
the baseball fraternity at the big De-
cember meetings here, at which time. by
the way, the national commission intends
TO put a crusher on Fletcher and his
aspirations.
There Is no doubt that Fletcher could
rob the two big leagues OF the best
playing talent if he had the necessary
capital. but ii would take millions 20
turn the trick. Ban Johnson started the
American League on a shoestring. II was
the moneyed men behind him. Ike
Charles Somers, William Yawkey, and
Frank Farrell. that finally enabled John
son 10 bring the National League to sub
mission.
The idea Of Fletcher putting clubs in
major league towns which already have
two representatives is ridiculous. Two
rival clubs dovetail nicely and improve
the sport. Three would be disastrous 10
all. for that would involve continual
conflict In playing dates. There is a bet
terfield outside the East and those who
at all seriously regard Fletcher's Skin
mishing are convinced that the American
Association. or some part OF II. could
easily be Influenced TO cast its lot with
the Toledo reformer For several years
now the association has talked war on
he majors. George Tebeau has been
one Of the reyolutionists Joe O'Brien,
deposed from the presidency after fall
ing out with Tebeau, has had the war
bee In his bonnet for at least two sea-
sons.
BY dropping some OF the American As
ISOLATION cities for Detroit. Cleveland.
Cincinnati. and Pittsburg, the most com
pact circuit OF history could be arranged.
league team each and any town big
enough for one would be bettered by the
rivalry OF two clubs
That the national commission and
major leagues are worrying over Fletcher
is shown by the alacrity with which big
league clubs have been permitted 10
barnstorm this fall. George Mullin has
taken the Detroit Tigers 10 Cuba and
Frank Bancroft will take the world :
champion Athletics 10 the island later In
tho fall. Tho present baseball contract.
which reserves the services OF the player
| for the entire year, was directly aimed
at transforming. which the magnates de-
clared before Fletcher butted into the
scene would be a thing OF the PAST this
autumn.
II the necessary capital is Forthcoming
enough players Will jump 10 make the
war interesting. Players in general would
welcome a war for that would mean
more money to every one. OF course, or
ganized baseball might meet the demands
OF the revolutionists. That would mean
a test OF financial strength and tfe sur
vival OF the fittest. There is not a player
to-day who does not hope that Fletcher
will go further than newspaper talk. II
is simply q question Of his raising money
In sufficient quantity 10 offset the COM
bined surplus of the two major leagues.
With anything less than that sum the
Toledo promoter would soon be frozen
out