Grand Forks daily herald. (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1914-1916, 1914-10-03
Head of the Newly Formed
Northern League Explains
why Pulford was Dropped
SAYS GAVE
HIM MUCH TROUBLE
Claims Five League Mem
bers Would Not Remain if
Maroon Magnate Was In

President John Burmeister Of the
Northern baseball league has wired
the following statement to the press in
connection with the new formation Of
the league, in which the Winnipeg
franchise was handed over to a new
party:
Minneapolis, MINI. Oct. 3.-"Hav-
ing noted Mr.. Pulford's contention,
who was formerly the operator Of the
Winnipeg baseball club. l feel that
the citizens OF Winnipeg are entitled
to know the true facts as they exist.
Mr.. Pulford was notified Of the meet
ing held at Duluth in due time which
stated the meeting was called for the
purpose Of awarding the pennant to
might come before h meeting, and
the closing up of the affairs of the
old Northern league was one of the
matters taken up and completed. Aft
er considerable discussion the men,
bers present were undecided as to
whether or not it would not be advis-
able to discontinue for one year, and
the writer knowing this feeling pre-
vailed among all the old members i'm
and got a number Of the old members
to consent to a reorganization for a
ten-year period, which organization
was completed here at my office last
Monday Affairs at Winnipeg have
been in a bad way for some time, and
members who were interested in the
old league were very much dissatisfied
With affairs up there as they all felt
that Mr. Pulford. while he was at the
head OF the club. did not give the city
OF Winnipeg the facilities in the way
OF grand stands and so on that a city
the size Of Winnipeg is entitled to,
and st. this reorganization meeting
would not consent to become men,
bers OF the new league unless new
parties would furnish that city a grand
stand and improvements in the way OF
new grounds nea the central part OF
tne city with q seating capacity Of not
than $4,000, all to be approved by the
league before franchise would be
turned over to the new members Mr..
Pulford states that the new owners
are outside parties, wherein he is
wrong. Mr.. Webb is the head Of a
large real estate company in the city
OF Winnipeg. and has been q resident
OF that city for the past Is years, and
q MAJ who has had a great deal OF
experience in baseball.
AT the last meeting Of the new or.
g~anization 1t was decided to have i'm.
provements placed in all cities that
comprise the new league. Superior Il
going to build their stands and make
improvements that will benent their
city and the league In every way, and
It was certainly up to the new Nom.
ners to see that q city like winntpee
would have new stands and improve
ments that would be in Keeping with
the city, for it is the best city in the
league and the patrons have entered q
great many complaints against the
past management on account Of the
poor Grand stand accommodations. ar
the old stands We're a disgrace to the
good city OF Winnipeg and the league
ase we'll, for there was not a stand on
Inc whole circuit Of the old Northern
league that was as dilapidated az the
Winnipeg stand was. The new ieasis
IS working on q business basis and
Intends to see that the citizens Of Win
nipeg have what they are Justly en-.
titled to along these lines. The old
manasemerot had been appealed to a
lumber Of times for improvements.
out MI. Pulford has always given The
excuse that the league was only or
sanizeo Tor a veal at a time, and has
stated that he did not feel that lac
wanted to make any improvements as
ne considered the old Improvement,
good enough. and I cannot u%nderstand
why he has so suddenly chanred his
ioeas In regard to the length Of finn
the old organization was o~rranized
Tor he certainly knows that the or.
~sanization was only a or
s~anization heretofore. as he a number
OF times stated himself.
All the members Of the new organ.
lzatlon are responsible business man
and would not be a party to an action
such as Mr.. Pulford charges them
with through the press, and no two
or three men are in any way tryine
10 get control Of the league affairs'
ana ide Of st. B%oniface will on
crate h franchise in that CITY also
or at least be interested in same. Mr.
fulrord accuses the writer Of fran
cnise thefts and other things that are
TOO numerous to mention, and no
oount would have the people Of Win
nlpeg believe that a great wrong has
oeen done them. but I believe that ar
citizens OF that city will welcome a
cnange that would be an. Improvement
Yer the OLD regime there. and, as IT
seelned impossible to secure them
rom n past MANAGEMENT, all the
new organization could do was 10
award the franchise to parties that
n the city is entitled to az well as
league. Mr.. Pulford well knows
the writer could not grant or vote emv
franchise himself. but n~eyertheless ~
seems to delight in accusing the u,ritar
OF doing 50. He also knows that H.
was asked to attend the meeting ct
Duluth. September 81. But he did not
wen feel interested enough TO evan
acknowledge receipt Of the notice m.
til after the meeting was oyer snd -.
was advised Of the steps taken 81 III