Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-02
TO ALLOW MINORS
TO INVADE CITIES
-Four American Association
Towns May Have Two
Gibbs This Year.
ONE YEAR AGREEMENT
ONLY TO BE FORMED
Franchises to Be Temper ariIy
Assigned Until Feasibility of
Scheme is Proven.

Special dispatch TO Tho star
CHICAGO. February Mem.
berS OF the committee appoint
ed at the annual meeting of
the American Association 10 IN
vestigate and determine upon
the conditions under which other
leagues might secure access TO
four cities OF the circuit probably
will be called together next week
in Chicago by President Chiving-
ton. who is chairman Cf the COM
mittee. The other members are
George Tebeau and Mike Cantil-
Ion. That their action will be ia
vorable is forecast from the reso-
luton which caused their appoint
ment containing the words de
termine upon the conditions un-
der which,. These words carry
affirmation. but the power OF the
committee to stifle the plan would
be found in the imposing OF harsh
conditions, so severe that no
other league would care to ac-
cept the terms.
This will not be done for sew
eral reasons. 1t practically has
been decided to give the plan d
trial for one season. Alter that
the fate of the issue will be doubt
full. Magnate Cantillon OF Mime
apolis is committed to the plan be-
cause of his promises to the Cen
trail international League people.
Magnate Tebeau is not affected
directly. as Kansas City is not
one of the four cities included in
the list. 49,
1t was not generally known that Hie
league at its annual session specified
the four cities into which second clubs
might be admitted from other leagues.
and authorized the committee to draw
up conditions for those four cities
kee and Columbus are the four cities.
That disposes of all gossip concern
ing indianapolis and Louisville. al
though. of course. if conditions war
ranted. some provision might be made
for next year
Will Not Issue Franchises.
The~e is one other point 10 lie
brought out i'm the conditions to be
imposed II is NOW understood that
the secondary clubs admitted are not
to he granted franchises. but are t.
transfer games assigned TO sorle Other
club in the league. For example: II
the Wisconsin-nlin League = al
lowed TO place a club Ina MilWa 49,. n
Milwaukee club viii not be granted
franchise. but the franchise Of Al
rora. or whatever the eighth cits OF
tho league is, will be- assigned to Mil
waukee for 1913
Thrown Open to Minor Clubs.
Therefore, with it practically settled
that Minneapolis st. Paul. Milwaukee
and Columbus viii be thrown open to
second clubs ander certain conditions to
be named hereafter. what, then, is the
probable fate of the plan? The arguments
in favor of the scheme are few. There
is, of course, the larger popua ton to
draw from. Again. the teams from the
larger cities are expected 10 draw well
in the other cities of the secondary cir
cult. In the case of the Central lnterna-
tional League geogra phical conditions are
such that it is practically Impossible TO
round out circuit of eight clubs with
out st. Paul and Minneapolis.
Now. against these arguments are the
facts that the second clubs in the Amer
lean Association cities must be AZ the
top. or near the top. IL their respective
sion goes or to command any attention
whatever from fans who are accustomed
to class "A ball.
Again. attendance at base ball games
and the enthusiasm attendant thereto
are governed largely by civic pride and
rivalry. There will be little natural
rivalry between the large city of the
circuit and the smaller cities furnish-
ing the other seven clubs.
Is Business Move.
1t is customary to point to the large
attendance enjoyed by semi-pro aud anna
teur teams while the American Associa-
ton clubs are away. But these semi
pro and amateur clubs have a local fol-
lowing. many OF the fans knowing lie
players personally. Whether the newcom-
els Will attarct any personal following
to be seen.
The American Association plays 1s6
games in five and one-half months. The
smaller leagues will play about four
The best home dates will be
aiken by the big clubs. At best the little
fellows cannot play more than forty or
forty-tive games in the class "A cities.
While il does not seem likely that the
trial can bring any harm to the American
Association clubs which allow an invasion
of their territory. it is difficult, 10 see
where advantages will accrue to the
smaller leagues. However. the results oc
one seasons trial viii determine that
Doinr and permission tor the invasion viii
Re for one season only
The conditions framed for the entrance
Of the second clubs will be the next ihier-
asting point to discuss when the condi-
ions are made public. President chiv-
neton during the week announced that
.Jmpires Irwin and Connolly had signed
contracts. AS Randiboe and Chill have
follower papers and Umpire Murray
signed last week. five of the eight arO..
rators are now hitched to the pest.