The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-29
By GUS MkI.BERT.

j. II, Farrell, chairman OF the Board
OF Arbitration OF the National ASso-
citation OF Professional. Baseball
L'asues, and dic,a;or-in-cattf in mai
.crs pcrssinluE 10 sn.no. league base
ball, has let his feet slip just once too
often, ana, in ;hc almost savage ca
Eerncss wiz waith &c disrupted. or
attempted "a dtsrua;. one league. play
ing under ana pay.as for protection
from the body Of winch he is score
tary, white with the other hand he arr
bitrarily established and recognized
another league, seeking TO play ball
in projected territory, has made him
self liable 10 attack from so many
sources that he will probably find him
self . busy man for several days mend
ing his bridges and making lxplana-
lions
rhc Virginia League despite the
mandates Of Farrell, is still in exist
1nce. 1t owns protection in six cities
in Virginia. which protection cannot be
annuiled by any act OF Farrell's, ex-
ccpt where IL is shown that the own
ors OF this territorial right nave failed
10 live up TO the laws OF organized
baseball Or have failed TO meet all
obligations The right to protection
has been vested in the Virginia League,
and the general law prohibiting any
c!uh, without the consent OF the league.
playing ball within II radius OF FIVE
miles of any city in the protected ter
riiory. also gives the Virginia L-eugue
protection over Portsmouth
Constitutional Rights.
The Virginia League acted under il;
constitution, which constitution was
adopted unanimously by the league d.
Tcctors more than two ytars ago, and
which is . duplicate OF the constitu-
lion oil the Tri-Statc League and very
nearly Il duplicate OF the constitution
vi the southern League. This coustitu-
non mas been recognized by tho Board
Of Arbitration. That body recognized
INC constitution of the Virginia League
"ncH. In the decision rendered at the
nearing in New York on December 10,
the board instructed the Virginia
League 10 hold an election of officers
as carly In January 20 possible, 'as
per provisions of the Virginia Lcugu.
constitution"
Acting undcr It's constitution. the
virginia League admitted certain cities
within its fold. These cities. since
they were granted franchises, have
created assets in the nature of ball
parks pail players and other para
rheTnalia These assets, under the
ruling Of Farrell chairman of the
Board Of Arbitration are entirely wiped
out In his ruling Farroll has entirely
iEnored thu rights which should be-
long to three clubs. AMI has given his
decision In favor of three other clubs
whose rights are no more sacred and
Of no more value than the rights OF the
three clubs which, under his ruling.
are thrown out OF eNistcnct
Coniiscntion Of Property
Under the rules of organized base
PAIL Farrcll has absolutely no right
TO eonflscatc property. lie has no right
10 grant protection in territory already
PfoteciGd He has no right TO dr'vc
"u, Of existence three clubs which nav,
'oitendsd Tor q principle. just as the
warning three clubs have contendci Tor
81 principle lie has no more right 10
attempt 10 push down the ,hroats of
three clubs, forming half Of league.
me wishes OF the other three Cluhe
than lie has TO take the opposite nc-
lion.
The three clubs supporting VILLA ms
eaeh PAT up a..check of S 600 as "A guar
hntes that thsy wo.*ld 90 through the
season. Not Gne. OF the three .luhs
"ppostd to Williams put up one cy,,t.
Inc three clubs supporting Williams
agreed 10 assume all Of the burdens
Of The Virginia League and to post n
sum of money sufficient 10 guarantee
the conduct OF clubs in the thre, war.
rlag cities.
onesidcd HARMONY
INC anu-Wiliiams faction has MI,
a!pns contcnNed thai it was 10Y hur.
inoHy. sim its only idea Of harmony
was the absolute surrender OF the WI
l'ams clubs TO its ideas ana dicta1ions
NAcn the meeting Of the Virginia