The chronicle=news., 1913-07-11
MICH ltlelE IS ,1# sss1, AATIQlVl Or
AMEheAH RbE1k says 1AtY AkE EQUAL

VSs0SuuO0vuvu VVU ~ u u
New YORK. July 11.-Organixed
baseball owes much to Ban johnson,
says ". J. Macbeth.
He broke In as q eb el CHIEF but
once firmly established In poswr be-
Icsos the big caar. Johssss, through
his American league. institutsd .
aumbsr Of long needed Feeorna He
made nf the much-abused umpire a
national figure instead offs 'scaps-
1nt'. aad by forcing respect for
him from the player eventually CON-
manded also the iveneration of fan
dom. II was Johason who was
largely instrmental In stamping out
all forms Of rovdyism upon the field.
And whea he had forced recognition,
to equality from the National league
he was ole OF the leading spirits for
peace and good will toward one hap
py. concerted union for the common
xood.
The johnson regime marked . new
ern In professional baseball. He was
at first looked upon with suspicion.
II was not believed At the time h.
expanded 10 major league distinction
that there was room for two big cir
cults. He not only proved that there
was but By fuvnishing the big cities
Of the country which are now repre-
sen,ed In both NstIoaal and Ameri-
can-with high-clasa sport every day
throughout the entire playing season
added such an impetus toward uni
versal patronage that the great pes
time has gone booming on more and
more steadily with each succeeding
season. Composition II the life OF
all healthy sport aud 10 the Ameri.
eau league. ~ = rival TO the Nation
al. was Just the proper thing TO
arouse such intereat as 10 manIiested
At present. But for Han Johnson's
invasion Of the parent major league
territory Il 10 doubtful II there would
Be any steel aud concrete stands to-
day. And II is doubtful also II Ty
Cobb would bc demanding $4,000
salaries. For after the old war days
the pay never did adjust itself to
former planes.
Therefore the American league
which 10 the oplnioa OF Mr.. johnson
is after all the only msjor league do.
Ing bas!ueas-has tho HEARTFELT
thanks Of all well wishers Of the
game. Il has always been very pop
ular With the public aud especially
with the playing fratsrai,y for Il
has always stood for . square deal.
both for the patrons and the public.
SIN baseball freasy b . Law until
itself aud the very rivalry. friendiy
~ II may be. between the two major
leagues has left along the trail os
the last decade two dixtinctive fac
tons In fandom. One faction wor-
Ahlps At the ahrine OF the National
and another st the footsiool Of the
American league.
Ever since the American league
began TO cater TO tho public faadom
has argued over the relative
strengths and merits Of the two aa.
3or leagues. The debate never viii
be closed 20 long - both coatiaue
TO do business. The patronage Of
each IL loway still and In the division
Of opinion lies the secret Of box office
receipts. A fan 10 ever open to ar.
8umcnt: to Convection never
Baseball writer's IL the big cities
where both major leagues arc esiab-
liahed arc rather an unbiased lot.
They are generally Of the opinion
that there is NO appreciabis differ
ence In tho respective strengths Of
the big leagues. And why should
there be! The present day msguasc
stands ready to sacrifice ths limit Of
profits Ia the hunt for talent. Each
club has its scouts securing the
country for new players. There IL
little choice smoss the riyai masas.
srs. Each circuit boasts its grea,
popular heroes.
There was = time when the Ame--
lean league ove0hadowed It's tot
tering rival. That was back In the
war days Of 10 and more years ago.
The youne circuit. In the hands Of
youna aud vigorous capitalists who
had sons in on eamble. put up the
0oaey TO rob the National Ieae,,c
of its best.known starr. There was
such an exodus Of talent from the
parent major that the old stabiiah Cd
Organization was left weak Indeed.
But the times have changed sincc
then. Ten years Of peace have sen,