Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-31
MAJORS PREPARE
FOR WAR ON FEDS
Ban Johnson States That Base
ball Strife Will Be Welcomed
by American League.
UPHEAVAL is LONG DUE
American Executive Looks for Heavy
Losses in Circuit Next Year
Feds Plan Park in Chicago.

/ Sherman once slipped over a remark
touching on war. B. B. johnson, pres
ident Of the American league. and the
well-known general should have been
room mates. Johnson is of the same
opinion when IL comes TO bloody
strife. but this does not prevent him
from welcoming battle in its widest
form. He admitted a. much yester-
day when he paused 10 state that the
Federal league is stirring up a situa-
ton long anticipated.
While the American league head
was issuing an invitation TO aspiring
scrappers. the same self-appointed
scrappers were busy planning the
erection of a modern baseball plant on
the site bounded by Clark and Addi-
son streets and Sheffield avenue.
With this aim in view Charles
Weeghman. president of the local club
of the third league, visited the North
Side plat, accompanied by Zachary
Davis Taylor. designer of the White
Sox park, who will draw up plans for
the palatial arena promised by the
Feds.
Will Gust Dead Timber.
What johnson emitted is of great
importance, not only to the public
but to the Federal league promoters
themselves. In brief, he welcomes
war. He insists baseball must under
90 a revolution every ten years and
the prospective one is long overdue.
And-we repeat and because this is
important-it will rid baseball of some
dead timber. What he means by dead
timber the fan can guess.
Johnson's emittal was somewhat of
surprise. For some time he has
limited at such a thing, but never for
publication. Now he comes out with
a statement that not only is the Fed
eral league welcome because of what
it will stir up. but because it will
prove or disprove that the cities of the
east and central west will patronize
as a third league.
Johnson's view of the threatening
upheayal is logical. Let the Federals
prove their worth and organized base
ball will welcome them with open
arms. This cannot be avoided if the
public shows a willingness 10 support
the brand of ball cooked up by WEIGH
man 4 Co. If the reverse is true and
the third league fades like morning
mist then its hackers and not organ
lied baseball Will suffer. So argues
II. b. Johnson.
Says UpheaVal Is Due.
Going deeper into the subject John
son said that something has to hap
pen TO maintain baseball on its pres
ent plane. He claims the major
leagues have been conducted far too /
Prosperity Of recent
years has been marked by indulgence
and there must be a reaction, says
B. B.
Johnson speaks not only for the
majors. but for organized baseball as
a whole, the minor leagues included. /
To bear out his argument that a 7
change is necessary, he says that the .
league was the only base 7
ball organization TO make money last .
season.
Adding bit more to this interest
ing yarn johnson looks forward TO an (
on year in baseball in 1914 He argues
that money will be lost and through
this process OF separating men from
their bank rolls he expects that base
ball will be rid OF some OF its chief
drawbacks. Again names and cOndi-
lions cannot be mentioned.
The American league lie we'll for
ified 10 withstand the attack of the
-ederals. says Johnson. If his organ
zation cannot weather such a blow
lie does not want 10 hold the presi-
Tents chair
That the newcomers have shown an
Inclination not TO touch Johnson's cir
,uit did not occur TO the big chief
Until he read OF it in the papers. To
lis mind it is logical. however, as the
league has placed itself open
o such attacks.
To prove this argument he cited
he railroading OF Mordecai Brown 10
or Johnson's influence with Garry
hermann. the former Cub star would
ever have returned to the majors.
Build one-Deek Stand.
As far as Chicago is concerned the
Feds" are going TO have a modern
liant After Architect Davis. accom-
'anied by Weeghman and Manager
mixer, had inspected the North Side
tie it was practically decided to con-
truct a one deck steel and concrete
tand with a seating capacity, bleach
rs included. of about 5000. Plans
Ill be drawn up Immediately.
The site selected is ideally situated b
or a ball park. For transportation IA
ihties il has an advantage over both
ne Sox and Cubs parks. Both
ranches Of the Northwestern L" can [
patrons. the Milwaukee
bad suburban branch skirts the left j
de OF the lot and 81 ieaE: three or :