Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-18
FEDERAL LEAGUE
CHIEF " RITES
FOR AMERICAN
President Gilmore DiscIoses the
Plans Of the New Major
Organization,
PLEDGES BIG LEAGUE BALL
Outlaw Leader Declares That
Crowds Are Assured in Every
City of Circuit.
Bv James A. Gilmore.
esident Of the Federal League.)

President of the Federal Ieague.)
~HICAGO. Jan. 17.-Despite the
dire predictions made by some
Of the baseball wiseacres and
ae attempts on the part of certain
officials Of the older leagues to be-
tile cur organization, the Federal
laEue has in the past few weeks
awakened the general public to a re-
tlation that it is in the field to stay.
Some time ago we announced that
We were going to create a new ma
ag league organization and that our
offerings would be of major league
nalber do not for a moment doubt
That many received our announce
men' with more or less skepticism at
ne time, but actions speak louder
han words, and | think our an
Houurement Of the past few days
have convinced even the most skepti-
al that we are in earnest and mean
100 live up to every promise we have
made i'm this particular. And when
H' 1914 playing season opens up and
tha public sees the brand of baseball
NO will offer | do not think we will
need to worry about attendance.
Nor should we. Our organization
$ based upon the theory that interest
IN baseball has during the past few
years grown to point where the
tr'A viii easily support a third ma
orr league organization, providing we
give them the right kind of attrac-
lions.
Saw Leagues Possibilities.
! did not jump into the Federal
lam
notice, nor with my eyes shut.
thought long and we'll before | con-
sented to enter actively into the new
league, looking the matter over care
fully from every standpoint, and
after making numerous trips about
The circuit, and comforting with the
gentlemen behind the clubs in the
various cities. | realized that the Fed
eral League was destined to become
a far greater organization than any
one had at first imagined. Personally
had for years had faith in the estab-
ASnment of a third major league, but
mad not realized before that the field
was ripe for the experiment or that
The proposition would be received so
encouragingIy by others.
] am proud of the personnel of our
league. In all of my experiences
nave never met finer. or more bust
nesslike set of men than those own
ing franchises in the Federal organi-
cation as it stands to-day, and while
] am willing to admit that it was
more or less hard shedding during
last season. reports from every city
~ the circuit indicate that this year
VIII see big change in the attitude
Of tie public toward the Federals.
| " tR4 1919 nnnnp1 the
popular phrase was, "They won't last
until August" We finished the sea-
son and the fans began to sit up and
axe notice. Then when we enlarged
the league, took in new blood and
new capital and reorganized along
business lines, even the wise ones be-
-dn TO have faith in us and our sub
Sequent actions have tended to
strengthen this faith.
viii Pay for Real Stars.
Regarding our plans for the future,
J wish to say that we do not intend
30 become unduly antagonistic to any
other organization, nor are we con-
'emplating a baseball war" as some
writer's have minated. We simply
intend to so ahead along progressive
business lines, standing firm in the
letense of our own rights and avoid
'-1 infringement on the TlSHlS VI
others. We do not intend going after
anyoody's property and will not try
10 induce any player to go into the
FEDERAL League who has already
signed to perform in any other or
sdniZauOn. We do not believe in
1olns business that way However,
We nave no hesitancy in going out
AMER those who have not affixed their
signatures to 1914 contracts, and l
mink the public realizes by this time
nat We have both the inclination and
me financial backing to pay fancy
'dLareS for high class talent.
We have been more than fortunate
nus lar i'm our selection of managers
Tor the coming season. We have had
numerous applications for the various
managerial positions, but the very
number of them was our protection
ana not until we were convinced that
we had found the best man available
,oF the place did we do any official
business We could have landed
many cheaper managers than those
under contract, but we did not believe
we could fulfill our promises to give
me public first class baseball unless
we laid the foundation by engaging
"5L-class leaders at the start.
we have yet much business to DO
9ol we will be ready to open the sea-
'1a about the middle of April. AND
NAen we open we will have real ball
..lbs n the field. Let the publc
yisit us on opening day. After they
aaNe once visited us / know they VIII
W regulars" That's just how good
me Federal League of 1914 will be.