Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-03

REVIEWED
STATEMENT

ed, the southern clubs showed
utter disregard, almost con-
tempt, for the mandatory
clauses of the commissions
ruling, but laid great stress
upon the last clause, a recon-
mendation only, from this hon.
orable body, that if possible a
1O-club league be formed. If
this cannot be done then Quin-
cy Is to have money refunded,
etc. The southern clubs arbi-
trarily attempted to eliminate
two members of the national
commission, substituting there
for two absolutely biased par
tisans to their controversy, to
act with the remaining mem
Der of the commission, Mr..
johnson. The northern clubs
cheerfully complied with every
mandate of your ruling, Water
loo and Dubuque Immediately
dismissing all court proceedings,
and, with Davenport and Rock
Island, assembled at the call of
President Tearney ready and
willing to adopt any and all rea-
sonable measures in prepara-
ton for the 1911 playing sea-
son. All of those clubs are
represented here today and
stand ready to comply cheer
fully with any other mandate
your honorable body may see fit
to impose.
The formation of a 1O-club cir
cult in a minor baseball league
is unprecedented in the annals
of baseball. In fact. we believe
there is no precedent in the his
tory of the major leagues for
such a circuit. It must neces-
sarily be cumbersome and I'M
wieldy, entails much additional
mileage on all clubs, naturally
will produce three or four hope
less tailenders early in the seq
son, followed by heavy finan-
cial loss by those clubs from
the middle of August TO the
close of the season. will length
en- the at-home periods of all
clubs beyond the time dictated
by experience and common
sense. correspondence increase
the length of time required by
travelling clubs to complete a
trip around the circuit. and
makes it almost impossible to
prepare a satisfactory schedule
with an equal number of games
on each grounds, an equitable
distribution of Sunday and hol-
iday dates, and may end in the
overburdening and collapse Of
several clubs during the playing
season, thus operating to de-
stroy territory in either end of
this present circuit, thereby
eliminating the opportunity to
make two leagues at the close of
this season.
This whole controversy is the
result of political squabbles and
aims to give one faction a
stronger voting power, and any
change from the present eight
club circuit must lead to fur
Their trouble this coming fail.
In conclusion, we beg leave 20
call to your attention the -lan-
ner in which this came before
your body and to the national
board.
President Tearney wired Sec
rotary Farrell asking permits
sion for the southern clubs,
permitting them to disrupt the
present organization, to form a
new six-club league, retaining
name, classification, etc.
This request was denied by
the national board and the
league was instructed to pro-
coed with the circuit as consti-
tuted during the 1910 season.
This decision your body in eff
feet, approved, adding thereto
several conditions with which
the northern clubs promptly
complied. We submit. also. that
the only law covering this par
ticular situation is found in the
National association agreement.
and a literal construction of that
law contemplates a continuation
of this circuit as at present con-
structed.
Respectfully submitted,
ROCK ISLAND BALL CLUB,
DAVENPORT BASEBALL ASSN,
DUBUQUE BASEBALL ASSN.