The Washington times., 1914-04-12
GILMORE DECLARES
HE WELCOMES WAR
Charges Organized Baseball
With Stealing Players Sign
ed by Federal League.
TO SUE BILL KILLlFER
Says He Believes Federal Court
Decision in Michigan Is
Really a Victory.
TO SUE BILL KILLlFER

VIEW YORK, April 12-James A. Gil
more, president of the Federal League,
arrived in New York yesterday morn
ing with chip on his shoulder He
says he is not looking for trouble with
organized baseball. but that If his arch
enemy doesn't behave the capitalists
behind his enterprise are prepared to
spend every last groat TO make it stand
1t attention. Further, Mr.. Gilmore de-
clared he would sue William Killifer,
recently awarded to the Philadelphia
National League club by the Michigan
courts, for a sum Of $4,000 because Of
breach OF faith.
When see early in the morning upon
mis- arrival from Chicago Mr. Gilmore
did not appear so spunky as later in
The day. A glimpse of the work done
by the Ward brothers at Washington
Park doubtless reassured him, for over
MIS- demitssse he seemed quite willing
10 hurl the gauntlet at Ban johnson,
Governor Tener and all the horde of
rnagnates in that happy big family
known as organized baseball
War" mused Mr.. Gilmore. why.
that is strictly up to the other fellows.
We do not seek if. Neither shall we
run away to fight again another day.
We are prepared for it if organized
baseball forces warfare
I have been criticised for countenan-
.dY the actioII OF 'reorge Stovau in
Al alleged theft of Pitcher Hamilton
from the st. Louis Browns. 1t has
been pointed out thar this was IN de-
rance of my stated policy of keeping
lands Off major Ie1gae players under
,CEtIsIct. j confe@s I announced such
a. IL:tcy last ElntA And | annouIC-=
II in ali sincerity, too
But" and the eyes OF Mr.. Gilmore
snapped as his face took on g steely
look. who broke faith? Who but the
powers Of organized baseball, who re-
fused the olive branch and who never
yet have considered one interest seVe
their own selfish ends?
Il went to organized baseball and with
su open hand. | asked for peace. !
aid / would respect contracts in the
major leagues IL my contracts were re-
:pected. / openly declared l never would
respect the reserve clause, which has
been invalidated by the courts of law.
Whist was the answer? Organized
baseball began to steal Federal LeagIe
players under contract. They stole five
--kiIlifer. Blanding, Kahler, Baumgard-
1.sr and Williams. Could | taInely sub
nit 10 that? A thousand times no. And
i will not suOmit.'
If the teanf OF my league which
have suffered by the loss of these men
cannot reclaim them by due process of
law. which the decision in the hillifer
case would indicate. then they have my
permission to go where they will in the
organized fold and replace these men
With whoever they please. Kansas City
7as the right to two more big leaguers
0 make up for the pillage Of Williams
md Baumgarolner. Organized baseball
owes Buffalo player for Kahler. and
'hicago one for KillifeT. Hamilton. |
squire. has repaid Kansas City for
Blanding
we are going to have four more
players hissed Gilmore, If II takes
oHery last penny Of the Federal League.
War? No. We're not looking for
var. We think baseball can do very
ricely without il But we're not going
organized baseball attempts any further
Interference we will reply TO them man
FOR man. II organized baseball is pre- 1
pared to attempt general raid, then
we'll reply the same way and let either
ne public or the courts settle the merits
Of the case
President Gilmore regards the Killifer
decision as decisive victory for his
league. He maintains that it breaks
down the reserve clause and that as
soon as the terms of contract of many |
major league stars expire they Will :
eek his circuit without solicitation. He
does not believe. however. that the Kill !
fer decision automatically gives pos
session to the majors Of Blanding. |
kahler, Williams. and Baumsardner. |
But in view OF the decision his league |
u-ill not take steps to recover the serv- |
les Of these men. He declares the plan |
Of retaliation will be more effective. for |
with the right Of possession on his side. |
re argues. the Federal case will be |
stronger as defendant than it possibly |
could as plaintiff.