Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-11-06
MUST SOLVE PROBLEM OF "hloA.
Err COST OF BASEBALL" At
OMAHA MEETING.
MEETING NEXT WEEK TO
BE MOST IMPORTANT ONE
Situation in Some Quarters 50 Des-
perats That Minor Organizations
Have Suggested Suspension Of OPP
erations in 1s15-Minors Want More
Protection or Recognition Of "Feds."

The annual meeting of the National
Association of Professional Baseball
Clubs, at Omaha next week, will be one
of the most important in the history
Of the organization. Matters of ex-
ceptional importance to the future Of
the game will demand attention, and
not the least Of these is the higher
cost of baseball" The past season was
a bad one for baseball and 1t is gen.
orally conceded that the situation now
is one which may spell ruin to the
national game.
The minor leagues will insist that
during the past they have not ,heep
aided by the major leagues, who. to
tell the truth, have had all they could
do to take care of their own inter-
ests. To remove the difficulties the
minors. who have paid protection
money to the national commission for
years, will demand more protection"
or the recognition of the Federal
league.
1t is rumored that an understanding
has been reached between the major
league magnates and the powers that
be in the Federal organization. and if
this be true it is likely that the DIFF
ficulties will be overcome without any
drastic measures being resorted to.
Some Would Suspend Next Year.
The situation in some quarters has
become SO desperate that some of the
minor organizations have suggested
that they suspend operations in 1915.
or at least until the close of the Euro
! pean war. Such a measure. it is said
jxr,t11 h. 1,., ~
ing, but it is doubtful if it will get
far. as it is not likely that the mag
mates. especially those of the higher
class of baseball, will want to close
up shop entirely.
In fact the American association and
the International league can not quit
under fire, as they would do should
they suspend at this time. Such an ac-
dianapolis, Kansas. City, Buffalo, and
any other cities the independents
might choose to invade.
| Some of the minor league magnates
are threatening to desert to the out
| laws" but the Federals declare they
do not want to carry any more bur
| den.'
/ Federal Draft Makes Cost High.
! The great draft on minor leagues
from the Federals. who have induced
many of the younger players to JUMP
to the outlaw, organization, has de-
pleted the ranks in many quarters anG
| has consequently added to the expense
| of maintenance of the minor organiza
tions. AS result the little fellows
have been obliged to pay big salaries
and to buy players at eXorbitant prices
to keep their clubs up to the standard
| and to remain in their various cham
pionship races. This mad scramble
for players has been the undoing OF
many clubs, and few minor leagues
escaped the burden Of CARRYING one
or more clubs thru the season or were
forced to see some of their members
drop out of the game.
1t is the general opinion among base
ball men that if conditions are MOI
changed the condition in 1915 will bt
much worse than it has been in tn,
past, and it is to correct these evils
that an unusual effort is being mad
to get a full representation at the
Omaha meeting. In short it is fgh
for the existence of the minor leagues
If not for all organized baseball.
Local Men to Attend Meeting.
| The Central association, which fel
the depression by the retirement of OF
tumwa from the game this year, will b,
well represented at the meeting. Ever,
| club Is expected to send delegates
and the Marshalltown association will
be represented by President F. M
Wilbur and several others. Word from
Manager Frank Richards is to the eff
feet that ne may also attend the meet
ing.