New-York tribune., 1911-09-01
A CRISIS IN BASEBALL
Demands of American AssoCia-
ton Denied by Commission.
WAR MAY BE THE RESULT
Eastern League Not a Party to
Disturbing Faction, tut
Makes Other Requests.


demands made by the American Associa-
ton were denied when Thomas j. Lynch.
Ban 3. Johnson and August Hermann is
sued an ultimatum TO the Western organ
ization here to-day. Whether or not the
American Association will withdraw com
pietely from the national agreement and
precipitate a war In organized baseball
viii be known by September TO- the date
set by the National Commission on which
the American Association must declare its
allegiance or non-allcgiance to the national
agreement.
In order that President Chlvincton's Or
e@nizatlon may realize the Importance ~
the crisis At hand. the National Commits
sion gave notice that all the cities in the
American Association would have clubs
operating under the national agreement
and in organized baseball. In other words
the war will be carried into the enemy =
country and the fans Of each city Of the
association will be called upon 10 support
Two baseball mines. on the other hand, In
case the American Association decides u
become an outlaw league, IL IS likely that
chicago among other major league cities
viii be taken into its circuit. AS owners or
the petitioning organization have long cast
no reaped in the Windy City
According 10 "A statement issued ny
August Hermann. president Of the COM
mission, tonight. the Eastern League
which has the same rating in organized
baseball as the American Association ana
wants better conditions. will no; join
hands with the Chivington faction and
declare war. Mr.. Herrmann's statement
follows:
We have received the communication
from the Eastern League 1t Is pacific IN
tone. friendly 10 continuance Of organ
ized baseball. and my personal opinion OF
ID. after a hasty glance through the com
munication. Is that much Of 1t is reason
able. The Eastern League does not want
70 invade major league territory, ana the
ccmmunication states that the league
wants 10 continue under organized oase-
ball The commission will hardly De apie
10 take up the petition until tomorrow
hut can say that an answer OF some Klnd
will be furnished the Eastern League as
soon as possible
The American Association has long oeen
q disturbing factor in organized baseball
feeling that Il ought to be placed on
mar with the National and American
leagues. Alleging now, however. that its
agreement with the National Association
cxnires on September .. IT desires TO be-
,one an independent organization ana al
the same zine enjoy the fruits ana lrotec-
ion Of organized baseball.
In defence Of its position President Chiv-
.rPton issued the following statement on
hebslf of the American Association TO-
night:
The American Association * to-day AS
important an organization in baseball as
the National League was ten years ago IN
r,oint Of value Of its franchise, plants and
business prospects
Yet the Americsg Association docs not
six 20 be placed on par with the major
Leagues If is willing 10 continue 10 con-
t-icl:te the best player of each Of its clubs
YEARLY % the National and American
leagues. In order that they may maintain
The supremacy that The population or their
cities and greater patronage entite them
20
.it does not ask FOR separate representa-
I'm or the national commission, nor does
I'D seek 10 take from either the major or
MINOR leagues any rights they now have
THE second clause covering the seiec-
Ton bv the sior leagues Of one ball
rlaver from each club By purchase az A
80 rrice Of 5000 is intended 70 cary
,ut one Of the first principles Of organized
baseball. enabling capable ball players 10
alvance in their profession. II is also
intended to check brokerage in baseball
ulavers one Of the most pernicious de
vslopments Of the present laws governing
TIC purchase and sale Of players. Win
rurcnas, price Of 5000 only the PLAYERS
whose services arc needed would be taken
from the American Association.
The American Association stands ready
fc make r. sacrifice for this change as the
major league clubs would not again be
called upon 10 pay such prices as were
raid for Marquard, Hunter and O'Toole.
THE only advantage sought by the Am
er.can Association in this respect is that
IT'S teams would rot be torn 20 pieces each
year.
The provisions Of rule Of the national
8 agreement make IT necessary that the Am
erican Association should have all play
ere purchased. whether on option or not,
yeror, on or before September l, while the
major league clubs are not so restricted.
This rule works hardships TO many young
rlsvers who should be allowed 10 enjoy the
advantage Of schooling in the American
Association.
THE American Association is fre d from
ine National Association by the expiration
or IT'S agreement. and prsfers not TO again
become identified with an organization that
hse shown itself antagonsuc 10 the inter-
,~te of the American Association IN all leg
.slatiye actions.
The value Of the franchise and the
character of the ball parks and plants are
,r keeping with the progressive spirit OF me
national zaire and the population OF lts
,itios and when the Importance OF the
american Association is realized the pat
ms NJ baseball throughout he country
IN u,de~stand that the reforms asked for
are modest and based upon eqhty'
,rb. Nation Commission in al exhaustive
,o,,o-t takes up the demands OF the Amerl-
"a, Association in detail as follows
.rs, commission is unanimous IN the
lti,.io, tbgt n Is without authority 10
,rt on the petition formulated .! ny
:. .1,erican Association at a specal meet
ing, held in Chicago on Aus ussa,oio - - 4.' -,
Tor the reason that the Ioh'r9soIs s ~
,,Iied for can be granted only by t1henoIHs
- national agreement IN several places,
which requires the ainrlhall o'' r,,'d
each OF the parties iheIet,o. ~. o,'os 1srties
\ [ational and American Ieagues. ptIulS,9 paIuS9
IF me 6rst part, ana the Nduohai Asso-
cIstiou. party of the second paIt .
Firmly convinced that a olstu. Dalee oi
~ delicate adjustment Of cohd!ll0it ana
tlIs-ions under which organized DaAebaH
ia. srtaiped prestige ana prospsiltS liia'
aiu contiaue a. long az llh CdI ,P nilta Pii I'm
ples arc observed. the comiillssl1tii. WIZ ~
recommend % the sev5f1i ,5at the ra,icaI
rrd revolutionary requests OF lhe ntH'iI 'iiI
ran Association for recognition az anlh