Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-12

we decided to stay with the league.
HAS NOT CHANGED.
That's the way still feel about the
matter. I am satisfied that Rock Is
| land wants baseball and up to the
standard of former years. l would
prefer TO see Waterloo kept in the
( league by the methods provided by the
rules'of baseball. but am of the opinion
that the injunction will be dissolved
and the city will lose its fight Then
a schedule can be made up and pre-
parations for the coming season COM
pleted. Waterloo will probably appeal
TO the higher courts and cause the
league much expense. But that does
not affect the situation in Rock Is
land.
Last years financial losses here
were considerable, but we should not
be utterly discouraged because of
them. We were in it for the sport and
not to make money. Of course it
leaves a bad taste TO have the surplus
We had at the beginning of the season
wiped out. but good share of the de-
ficiency can be attributed TO bad
weather on the two big days of the
year, when the local club lost fully 81
900 in grand stand receipts, which
would have belonged to it alone.
NOT REALLY EXTRAVAGANT.
Il do not want TO be placed in the
light of unfolding extravaganza, but /
contend the officers of the club mere
" displayed commendable zeal in their
efforts to keep the team in the fight
for the pennant and 10 give the city
the class of ball il deserves. When we
take into consideration the loyalty of
the Rock Island fans, in and out Of
season, which has kept this city in the
game till it is one of the two of the
original members of the league left. we
must concede that the officers merely
did what might have been expected of
them. particularly in view of the fact
that all the other clubs were violating
the salary limit
Il am not one of those who favor
quitting the league under any circum-
stances, nor do l favor the rule or ruin
policy that cropped out in the Water
loo delegation at Chicago. l am per
haps in better position to pass judg-
ment upon this phase OF the controver-
=
been on the ground. Some of the Wat
erloo men did not hesitate TO declare
they were bent upon either STAYING
with the league or breaking it up.
In spite of the Waterloo injunction
We discussed some league matters, one
of them being the proposed schedule,
which 10 my mind is better than any
schedule that the league has had in
years II provides for continuous base
ball in Rock Island and Davenport all
season without any contests"
ARGUS OWN VIEW.
Speaking for itself The Argus, de
spite a nigh appreciation tor t,c patti
otism and wisdom of the local stock
holders and particularly the officers
Of the association at all stages since
the league formation, regrets that they
have taken the stand that has been an (
nounced, that is, if it is ire
vocabie. While no doubt there has
been an element of discord in the
southern end of the league that IS very
and nobody knows SO well
as those actively engaged in baseball I
here tho handicap that this has been,
yet the public must be considered /.
The people want, and are entitled to a
of baseball. 1t would be a
serious disappointment and a lamenta-
bic backset to the city if it were aban- /
doned. AS a source of advertising IL
would be hard to replace; while its .
effect as a source Of public amusement .
and in fostering local pride and pat
riotism is incalculable. J
If Rock Island should persist in the
face OF any eXigency, in Withdrawing
II would not only upset its long stand
ing reputation of not being a gutter
but might at a later day find it is much /
easier to get out OF a good league
han to get back in. Davenport was
mighty glad after two years to return.
and now we find both Decatur ana i
Cedar Rapids knocking for readmis-
sion. More than that, should Rock Is /
and retire it might witness a more
development than is now
dreamed Of
PUBLIC WILL HELP.
Rock Island has a modern baseball Il
liant, which without a team will soon
De lost. The people have always re- 4
'ponded literally when the cluD found
tself in a tight place and it is believ- ;
I'd that the present stringency, if the
proper assurances are given, can be
net II
II is not the fault of the patrons of
he game that the club lost money last {
eason. but they will not blame the as {
ociation for getting into deep water l
n giving them what they wanted and. {
experience iustifies the belief that the !
ans will be glad to come to the rescue. &
The Argus is not endeavoring 10 die I
ate To those who have borne the bur '
en of baseball in this city in the past, ]