Evening star., 1914-02-10
BY j. ED GRILLO.
Special Dispatch to The star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK. February lo,-While it is
impossible to predict just what plan OF
battle organized base bali VIII decide
upon in its stand against the Federal
League. it seems certain that no player
who has jumped to the Federals Will ever
be allowed to return to the fold once he
has appeared in 2 uniform OF the out
laws" 1t seems to be the opinion OF
nearly every one of the maSnates OF the
two major leagues that the jumping play
ers are to be Kept ont of the ranks of
organized ball. but no action viii he
taken until the players have proved
themselves not loyal by actually playing
with the rival league. Any player who
returns to his club before the season
opens will be forgiven, hut once he plays
he is to be under the ban for all time to
come.
There is SO much difference of opinion
among the club owners as to what plan
should be pursued to fight tpe Federals
that it is not going to he any easy mat
ter to come to "A decision during the joint
conference. That concerted action is nee
eSSary is generally conceded and only
in the event that the big leagues operate
along lines to be agreed upon can they
expect to halt the Federals.
There is, however, little chance that
the conference will decide upon legal
proceedings to harasS the Federals. From
what can be gained in talks with the
club owners. few of them favor Il plunge
into the courts, and while it is likely
that Individual clubs may apply for in
functions In their respective states. the
two leagues as a whole are not apt to
proceed along these lines.
There is also opposition TO the scheme
in
cities of the circuit and give it Il ma jor
league aspect, though this scheme stands
better chance of being adopted than
plan to resort to legal battles. That
the Federal League has made Il lot of
trouble for the majors and will make
more if it can hold out for Il season
is generally admitted SO far as the
minor leagues are concerned. especially
those of the higher classes, the Federal
League is sure to do great damage. For
instance. If these minors develop a PLAYER
during the coming season whom they
could sell to club in organized base ball
for fancy figure, there is nothing to
prevent the Federals from Offering such
player a bunch of money and inducing
him to sign with them. If the minors
sold the player to organized base bali
the player would not he apt to share in
any of the money, but with the Feds 1t
would be different. Not being obligated
by any rules. the outlaws could do bust
ness with the player direct. and. by
paying him sum of money, could get
the player cheaper than could the big
leagues. who would have to do business
with the clubs.
While the greatest optimism is ex-
pressed by the magnates regarding the
outcome of the squabble with the
tederals. there is no denying the fact
tnat most of the club owners give evi-
dence of being worried. 1t is most like
ly that joint conference of the big
and minor leagues represented here
viii be held Thursday. at which time
Barney Dreyfuss of the Pittsburgh
club brings the information that Bob
Groom has signed with the Federals.
Manager Griffith this morning. 1t seems
that Max Carey. one of the Pittsburgh
outfielders. lives in St Louis and is in
close touch with conditions there. He
told Dreyfuss that he knew that Nor
decai Brown had signed Groom sew
eral weeks ago. Griffith is inclined to
peiieve tpat this Is true. in view of the
fact that he has been unable to get
any sort of word from Groom
he wrote to the tall pitcher his final
word just before coming on this trip.
and about all he asks is that Groom
INFORM him whether he has signed or
not Griffith insists that if Groom jumps
to the Federals he will bring legal
action and enjoin him from playing.
he insists that his contract with Groom
OF last year will hold in the courts,
and he is sore. because he thinks
Groom was treated with every con-
sfderation by the Washington club
1t develops that Griffith had Catcher
Owens traded for Mike" Mitchell. the
Pittsburgh outfielder. when the former
jumped to the outlaws. When Griffith
got wind that Owens was flirting with
the Feds he notified Dreyfuss that he
could sign Owens per an agree
ment entered into during the winter
whereby Washington was TO receive
Mitchell in return for the catcher
Griffith also wired Owens. telling him
that he had been traded to Pittsburgh.
Owens. however, demanded Il twelve
thousand dollar contract for three
years from Dreyfuss. and, of course
everything was called off There may.
still be a chance for Griffith to get
Mitchell, whom he wants for u utility
outfielder. though it is but a remote
one.
There is considerable surprise az
pressed that the major leagues have
not long since come to some conclu-
sionS as how to proceed against the
Federals. One club owner remarked ::
THE trouble is thar organized base