The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-09
ORGANIZED BALL
Will STRENGTHEN
ALL WEAK TEAMS
WEAK TEAMS IN CITIES INVADED
BY FTDERALS TO RECEIVE
AID.

NEW YORK, Feb. s.-The powers
Of organized baseball--the National
league, the American league and In
tcrnatlonal league-will hold forth
herd this week. The meetings are
scheduled to arrange for the playing
dates for next season and the inter
pretation of the playing rules, but 1t
.ngs OF the Federal league will occupy
most OF the moguls' time while they
are in session.
Every baseball magnate in the
three leagues will be here by tomor-
row afternoon, as VIII many minor
league club owners. All will be on
hand To discuss the best way to break
the back bone OF the Federal league
The International league Is sched-
uied TO go into session at the Victoria
hotel tomorrow morning; the National
league at the Waldorf on
Tuesday and the American league at
the Hotel Biftmore on Wednesday.
When the meeting OF the American
league adjourns, 1t Is said that
Secret conference will he held among
ban Johnson, president of the Am
erican league; Governor Tener, presi-
dent OF the National league, Edward
Barrow. president of the International
league, and President Chivington. of
the American association.
Aid Weak Clubs
What the result Of this conference
will bring forth is not known, but
from I reliable source il was learned
that the most important work the
leaders Of the league will accomplish
VIII be the strengthening of the weak
teams. especially those in the cities
invaded by the Feds.
1t has been definitely decided that
organized baseball Will fight the Fed
erai league In court for players who
have already Jumped to the outlaw"
organization. This announcement was
made at special meeting of the Ma
tionai commission which was held in
Pittsburg recently. During the meet
ing in this city plans viii be formed
TO fight the Feds In case they bring
action in court to prevent Catcher
Billy killifer from backstopping for
the Phillies and Enos kirkpatrick
from playing with the Brooklyn club.
lake king" Cole. these two players
signed with the Federal league and
then iapped back to organized base
bali
The Cole matter was vastly differ
ent from that of the other two play
ers. Cole accepted terms with the
HIEhIanders. showed President Gill
more the telegram from Farrell agree
ing to pay him sa.30o fer the season,
and then after Gilmore told him the
agreement was not binding signed
with the Chicago Feds.
No Fight In Cole.
Charles Weeghman. the big man OF
the Feds, has said that he viii not
make any fight to keep Cole from
pitching for the Highlanders.
But l will,' added the owner of the
Chicago team, bring action in court
TO keep Killifer and kirkpatrick from
playing with organized baseball. Both
OF these players signed with us be-
fore they accepted terms with organ
lied baseball"
club. and President Baker. of the
the Feds in court President Baker
dent Tener and IL was on his sug-
gestian that the governor sent Attor-
ney General Bell, of Pennsylvania,
here to- confer with John s. Toale,
attorney for the National league, on
the reserve clause.
Attorney General Bell Informed
Governor Tener that the reserve clause
was binding and then the spOnfal
meeting of the national commi1L06n
was called in Pittsburg
Although Tinker has been quoted as
saying that he would not play with the
Brooklyn club even If he were offered
$500, goo, Ebbets is still confident that
he will have the famous shortstop
in his line-up when the 1914 cam
paign gets under way.