Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-21
MAY FORM THIRD
MAJOR LEAGUE
American Association and In
ternatiopaI Circuits Nav
Be AmaIgamated.
BAN JOHNSON SPEAKS
IN FAVOR OF PROJECT
Says Formal Ratification Is All That
Is Necessary to Put the
Thing Through.

NEW YORK, June 2o-A
third major league, conceived in
the brain OF Ed Barrow, may sooa
be in the field fighting with the
National and American against
the Federals. This radical move
was the decision of the base ball
magnates assembled here in a
conference OF war for the last two
DAYS. The national commission,
which is in control of organized
base balls fight against the inde-
pendents, has Endorsed the move
ment. All that remains to perfect
the new organization is the Judi
clous selection OF eight of the best
big minor league clubs with an
equal number OF cities best adapt
ed to the project.
The third major league is to be built
up from the four best cities of both the
International League and the American
Association. 1t will add one more entry
in the field. for around the discarded
members of the class IA leagues two
other circuits of class AA or elias A
will be constructed. Organized base
ball does not purpose leaving out in
the cold the half of the big minor
league clubs that must be disregarded
in the selection of the new major body.
/ The decision of the national commits
sion to create the third major league was
not announced officially by that body after
today's meeting at the Waldorf The
commission would say only that such
a matter was under adviSement, and
that an answer would be returned with
in the next ten days. Yet certain rep
resentatives of the International League
who appeared Nbefore the commission
took no. pains to conceal their smiles
of satisfaction after the conference
And if any further confirmation were
needed it was not long in being dis
covered in the remarks of Ban johnson.
Ban johnson Speaks.
There will be a THIRD major league,
said Johnson. land 1-hink it will be a
good thing for the peace of organized
base ball. 1t Is true that the commits
sion has not formally ratified the project
But that Is only a question of Formally.
We shall now see how far the Federal
League can go against real major league
opposition on every hand. Let me tell
you the new circuit will soon prove its
merit over the so-called class of Gil
more's league"
AS to the makeup of the proposed
named circuit johnson would say moth
ing. He referred such inquiries to Ed
Barrow. The International League ex-
ecutive was quite as reticent.
1T will be time enough TO think of
that when the national commission
gives the word to go ahead" said Bar
row. Il could not say at present
which four clubs of my circuit would
be selected for the amalgamation with
the American Associations four. 1t
is a matter that directly concerns all
the club presidents of my league. But
will guarantee there will be no diff
ficulty. Those which continue as minor
league clubs will not suffer. Provision
will be made for Them
Neither Barrow nor any Of the oom-
would say whether Presi-
dent Chivington of the American Asso-
citation has been consulted. 1t Is be-
lieved that Chivington and Barrow had
arrived at a thorough understanding.
Barrow would furnish no suggestion
as to when the new league would like
ly begin operations. Base ball men see
no reason to expect an inauguration be-
fore next spring.
While Barrow and the national COM
mission appeared very secretive several
Of the National League club presidents
who had inside information were less
guarded in their remarks. 1t appears
that Baltimore and Buffalo-the two
League clubs which suf-
fer most from the Federal League ac-
tryi<f low, and d nP w
as the price of harmony. They wished
either a war fund to be provided by the
majors or exemption from all draft.
The latter boon has been granted.
begins operations before next season
no International League players may
be molested by the majors this fall
Hint as to Makeup.
One Of the national commission MEM
oers dropped a hint as to the probable
of the new circuit. Baltimore,
Buffalo and Toronto appear reasonably
likely Of graduation. and the other east
arm club may operate either in Brooklyn
u Washington. The Newark champions
nay be transferred to the fourth eastern
citadel as a recompense to Charles H.
Ebbets for his loyalty. Pittsburgh, Cleve-
and, Cincinnati and Detroit are a guess
or the western wing.
President Barrow is likely to meet with
obstacles in the selection of an eastern
wing for the third major league. Presi-
lent Fogarty of Jersey City took no pains
o conceal his attitude toward the latest
var measure. =
cit is all right for Jack Dunn and those
elbows who will be taken into the new
how, but where do I get OFF,? queried
Togarty.
Jersey City isn't a major league city.
t can't do any business with the pres
mt circuit. What is it going to do
when the four best cities of the league
re taken away and that many more
added?
Well, 1 can't go along any further
his way. that's all There will be no
Jersey City team in another week II
matters do not improve. I've just about
cached rock bottom. after throwing
way $751; 900 already.
Fogarty appeared displeased that the
League did not press it's
equest for a war fund rather than
igher classification for half its clubs.
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