The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-31
BAN JOHNSON CALLS
MAGNATES TOGETHER
American League Meeting May
Have Bearing on Affairs
Of Minor Body.
DOOM NAY BECOME GIANT

James A. Gilmore and his associates
OF the Federal League have stirred up
Ban johnson to an unusual degree OF
anger. Ban has issued call for an
American League meeting In Chicago next
week when It is believed steps will be
taken to checkmate the outlaws. 1t was
learned yesterday that johnson had de-
clded to attend the annual meeting of
the National Association OF Minor Leagues
in Omaha the week after next At this
conference some policy probably will be
framed to keep the organized forces lined
up against the common enemy.
According to rumor there In some dis
satisfaction among the larger of the minor
leagues. II IL even limited that the South
ern Association is thinking seriously Of
breaking away from the control OF the
National Association. Judge Kavanagh.
president OF the Southern. Is stanch
advocate of organization. hut 1t is said
that his personal Views may be over
ridden by the club owners.
1t was admitted yesterday by a local
representative OF organized baseball that
the minor leagues were very anxious to
have the present war terminated. At
the same time is was pointed out that the
little fellows could best serve their own
interests by standing pat.
THE minor leagues are far more de-
pendent upon the majors than are the
majors on the Minors" said this author
ity 1.-The history OF organized baseball
proves that very clearly. The two classes
have been working In harmony under
the national agreement for dozen years.
during which time the minors enjoyed
their first prosperity.
"previous to the adoption OF tho pres
ent working agreement minor league
baseball was n huge Joke. Not half the
leagues were able 10 finish their seasons
Many Of them wound up with the Fourth
Of July games But In the last ten years
there have been few minor league failures.
for minor league talent This has been a
great revenue to the little fellows. The
National Commission reports will show
an average expenditure OF from $4,000
To $500, 600 annually by the major leagues
for minor league talent This has cen n
greater, source Of revenue than the direct
promotion Of the game.
IT do not think any OF the minor
leagues have seriously considered the
idea Of breaking away. But II they did
n would be a boon to major league base
bail The National and American leagues
would then be free from all care OF the
lesser promoters and they would get their
minor league players for nothing. The
Federal League certainly cannot afford to
affiliate with the minors II the latter are
unable 10 live under present conditions.
Here II a point. too. that Is worthy
Of consideration. About % per cent. Of
National Commission cases have to DO
with unravelling minor league tangles
These fellows are always In hot water
among themselves No doubt some OF
them were hit pretty hard by Federal
activities but they have no reason TO
blame the major leagues for this. The
Independent league Ia for that reason an
enemy that the minor leagues should
fight all the harder to suppress. Running
No Tor la vDnlI hplp
the case n bit. II would simply cut or
one great source OF revenue for the little
fellows The minor leagues themselves
would be the only sufferers"
Manager John J. McGraw OF the Giants
IL expected back to-day 90 assume the
task OF remodellng his club for next
wears fight McGraw has been visiting
his old Baltimore friends since the close
Of the worlds series. In his absence
there has been considerable loose talk Of
contemplated plans for 1918. OF which
however. the local office has been left
absolutely In the dark
The latest Giant prospect has been re-
ported as Red Doom, the deposed leader
Of the Phllies. There appears TO be some
ground for such a move on the part or
McGraw. In his pique over an alleged
rundown Doom has declared that he will
never again appear In Quaker uniform.
lie has asked President William f. Baker
for his unconditional release.
NcGraw could make good use OF
catcher Of the Doom stamp. Chief Meyers
and Larry Mclean appeared last season
to have declined far below accepted
major league standards. These two are
the only experienced members OF the
catching corps. McGraw has fine pros
pect IN smith. but lie In a green youth, and
IL In not McGraw's policy to let youngsters
break in without thorough seasoning on
the bench
That McGraw has sounded the Phila-
delph!a club and Doom Is known. The
former manager OF the Phillies told one OF
his New York friends that he hoped to be
with the Giants In 1915. II Ia limited that
one or two OF McGraw's extra outfielders
may figure in a trade for the fiery catcher
of the QuAkers.