The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-06-21
COMMISSIONS PLAN
HELPS RICHMOND
Makes Certainty of Better Base
ball Here Even More
Certain.
CONSIDER FURTHER TO-DAY
Whatever Happens, This Town
Will Be in League Of Higher
Classification.
ny GUS NrALBEIrr.

That Richmond is assured baseball
OF very nearly major league calibre
was never more certain than iAw. and
this despite the fact that the Ma
tional Commission has practically de-
termined to put n third major league
In the field. Whether there Is to be
realignmcnt of the American Assoc
citation and the International League
as we forcasted yesterday. or whether
the two leagues are to remain practi-
cally as they are now. Richmond will
get berth In the International
League.
Somehow or other, that idea doesn't
seem to have properly pcrmeated. It
doesn't make, any difference which
way the wind blows. Richmond Is
Should the new major league prove
something moro than an intangible
idea. sort Of cudgel wherewith to
beat the Federal League opposition
into submission and defeat. then thHe
VIII be four cities left from the In
ternational League, and. together with
Richmond, possibly Norfolk, and GER
tainly two other Eastern cities of i'm
portance. new international League
will be formed.
This explanation, which may be re-
Garded a betrayal OF confidence on
our part. is given SO that the public
mind may rest easy. There are In
Vulnerable killjoys who would have
the opinion go forth that Richmond is
not worthy consideration, SO far as
major or even Class a baseball is con-
cerned 1t is TO quiet once and for all
these vapid outbursts that the be-
trayal Of confidence on our part. II It
Is to be construed as such. IS made
We would have the idea so forth that
Richmond is to got better baseball, Is
to get better baseball kuickly, and that
1t VIII ge that better baseball through
the National Commission, the highest
tribunal In organized baseball.
NATIONAL COMMISSION
HAS POWER TO ACT
The same body that can tear asunder
two class AA leagues and take the
better part OF each in order that
third major league can be formed. has
equal power to demand that the Vir-
ginia League release city needed by
organized baseball to bolster weak
places In the organized ranks. That's
one point overlooked by the peryervid
enthusiasts, our brethren OF the Vir-
ginia League, who feel that they have
Richmond lock, stock and barrel, and
that Richmond is unable to move hand
or foot. Under normal conditions this
would be true. but the conditions are
now abnormal, and there Is needed no
action taken by the commission in
forming third major league.
That is one point some of the astute
maSnates OF the Virginia League have
failed to take into consideration The
supreme body OF baseball. by grace of
which the Virginia League exists and
has existed, has just az much power to
rearrange the circuit of the Virginia
League as IT has to rearrange the cir
cults of the International and Ameri-
can Associations. This Is especially
true In the case of the Virginia League.
where the circuit would remain intact,
there being merely the substitution of
one city for another.
under the realgnment proposed In
the American Association and the In
tcrnational, eight cities will tenn
porarily be without baseball. or course,
the National Commission will SEQ to it
th2t these cities are supplied for tho
very good reason that the primal OBJ
5ect OF the reallgnment is to subdue OPP
position and the men composing tho
commission are far too wise to leave
what will then he productive territory
vacant for any kind of opposition to
spring up. The points are emphasized
SO that even the blind may sec the
fallacy of trying to place Richmond in
the position of seeking an impossible
fly.
But much of this explanation is un
necessary In view of tho fact that Rich
mond has been assured a franchise in
the International League. There Is no
quibbling about that statement; moth
ing 10 hide behind. no evasions and
no equivocations. Richmond Is TO have
franchise In the International
League, whether that league be re-
formed or whether 1t remain as IL is
now. plus Richmond
VIRGINIA LEAGUE HAS
TURNED DOWN OPPORTUNITY
The Virginia League has been given
an, opportunity to release Richmond.
release. guarantee by responsible
men has been made to the proper
sources that the Richmond club will
be transferred. to Lynchburg, and that
sufficient working capital will be sun
piled to continue the Lynchburg club
In the Virginia League under what
ever circumstances may arise 1t
seems that tho Virginia League is un-
willing to avail itself of this oppor-
tunity. Therefore, other means must
be found to relieve tho situation. for
Richmond Is to get out of tho league.
and very shortly.
We have n telegram from Abe Hor-
witt. president of the Newport News
baseball club, in which he announces
that his city has not given its consent
to the release of Richmond, and that
his city Will not give its consent.
He adds that no one is warranted
In saying that Newport News would
give Its consent We have nevor made
Continued on Third Page.)