The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-14
JAkE'S JUNK.

Jack Holland has assumed the re-
sponsibility OF asking that all clubs in
Association. be released from all con-
nection or utilization with the major
leagues. He made this request in q
letter which he mailed to Mike Sexton.
president OF the National Association.
Holland makes this request, explaining
as his reason. to enable the minor
league teams to deal directly with the
Federal League and not with be COM
PEELED to stand under the fire being
waged against the Federals by the
major leaguers and lose players with
out any compensation. In his opinion.
q withdrawal would permit the minor
leagues to enter q peace pact with the
Federal League which would provide
for the sale Of players thus eliminating
the invasions which are being made.
Hollands suggestion does not look
feasible. In the first place, he con-
tends that the Federals. II they do not
succeed, would go out of business and
il they have good season this year,
that peace pact would result whereby
the league would agree and be taken
in and recognized by the major leagues.
This is the first suggestion Of this kind
that has come to our notice. but in our
opinion, the minor leagues should not
withdraw but remain in the contest
and help restore peace in the ranks
which will result in benefit for all. By
continuing affiliation with the major
leagues. we believe the trouble will be
settled sooner than IL the minor
leagues withdrew from such utilization.
Holland is peeved because he lost
Zwilling and Westerzil and has reason
to regret such loss but we are unable
to understand why he suggests with
drawal when moro damage would
probably result. Even IL the minor
league clubs should withdraw, it Is only
reasonable to believe that the Federals
would continue to grab such minor
league players as they wanted because
they claim the reserve clause Is not
binding. So we cannot understand
where Holland expects to receive any
dement's. The following is taken from
the St. Joe News-Press as q quotation
from Holland:
eff the majors are sincere they
should be willing to release the min
Holland. 1T would give us chance
to deal with the Federals and protect
ourselves. AS soon as the Feds knew
that we were not afflliated with the
major leagues they would recognize
| us. They are not trying to tear us
fellows down.
.sWhoever wins this fight, the Fed
erals have to come under protection
sooner or later. 1t is the only way
! they can live. The majors have mil
lions back of them. What can we do !?
Fellows like Speaker and Cobb are
/ R6CIluk Ill tu0 gravy
Each club in the Western league
| is paying 500 annually to the nation
al association. We ought to have
some protection for that. II the ma
| jor leagues would release us from our
afiliation to them then they could
| fight it out with the Federals, and the
outlaw league would be willing to let
the minors alone. If they wanted
any ball players they could buy them
from us. They would be willing to do
that, I know. II the majors wanted
any Of our players they also could
buy them, instead Of drafting them.
AS it is now. If minor league club
has a player who is due for a trip to
| the big show the Federa1s come along
and steal him from US. The higher
organizations can afford to pay mag
nificent salaries to keep their stars.
but we fellows in class A and b
leagues are helpless when the Feds
raid our clubs. am not the only
minor Lacquer who has suffered from
it,
Nick Maddox. manager of the
Wichita club, has reported and now
is busy making arrangements for the
training trip. Twenty-seven men will
! report and the team will train on its
home lot in Wichita.
Sport writer's of the Western
league press believe the race among
l the teams of the circuit will be more
warmly contested and that the teams
will be more evenly balanced than
usual. Verne jackson of the News
Press even admits a close race and
picks the Topeka club as a stronger
aggregation than last year and admits
that the Kaws may be a strong con-
tender for championship honors
Dale Gear never has claimed q PEN
nant winner for Topeka for this year