The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-29
Plan to Let Chicago Feds Buy
Toledo Franchise Causes
Friction in Ranks.
SOME WANT FINISH FIGHT
Murray Of Giants, Peckinpaugh
If New YOrks and Reulbach
Of Dodgers Sign.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT or tho Federal League.
For week major league magnates have
boon calling one another on the long
distance phone between Chicago and
other cities with the result that they can
not agree upon definite plan of action.
Tie situation Is just this:
Certain leaders In organized baseball
are anxious 10 take Charles Weeghman
and his partner. Walker. who are pro-
noting the Chicago Feds. into the
charmed circle. The scheme OF foot IS
to sell the Toledo American Association
club. owried by G. W. SOmers. who also
IL owner of the Cleveland Maps and
vice-presldent Of the American League,
to Weeghman and Walker. with permits
sion to transfer the franchise TO Chr
cago.
Weeghman and Walker arc willing to
pay the price asked 10y Somers $780,
900, II Is said in view OF the fact that
they have become convinced that the
other Fed cities. with the exception OF
Baltimore cannot make successful
fight against organized ball. But before
Weeghman and his partner can obtain
the right to operate a new Chicago club
In the American Association the consent
Of each of the National and Ameri-
can League club owners must be Sc
cured, and thereby hangs a tale.
Charles Webb Murphy. owner OF the
Chicago Cubs. is prepared to fight this
plan 10 the bitter end Murphy, X IL
said, believes that If We-ghmnn is al
lowed TO play American Association ball
in Chicago the National Leagues inter-
ests will suffer and In due time the
Cubs may be asked to sell out to the
present Fed leacers. Murphy ~ backed
up in his contestiou 10y several other
IL of ~
critical state of affairs. therefore. Muir
ply is camoring for a special meeting
OF the N'.tional League To be held before
the annual schedule meeting on Febru-
AIRY 10 in this city
Murphy's contention. so insiders say.
Is that organized baseball already has
the Federal League on the ropes and
that the fight should go to Il finish. The
CUBS owner argues that by eXterninat-
ing the Feds In a battle for gate re-
ceipts there will be no further attempts
IN future years to cut into the sport
controlled by tn. major and minor
leagues. The magnates who believe that
Murphy IL right declare that when
Weeghman has lost Il fortune IN trying
TO make the Feds successful his expert
ence will lie n lesson which other would.
b. outlaw promoters next year will take
into careful consideration.
The American League. OH the other
mana. IL Sdiu W nc
favor of the plan to take Weeghman into
Chicago with an American Association
franchise which will not be opposed by
c. \. Comiskey. owner Of the White
gox. Club owners In both major league
circuits who favor the transfer OF tho
Toledo franchise to Chicago seem To
think that II Is better to kill the Federal
League movement in this manner than tc
proiong a fight that will involve IA tro
mendous loss OF money.
In order TO make a good job OF putting
tn. Feds out OF business there is another
scheme involving the Baltimore club
headed by Edward Hanlon. 1t Is ad
mtted by organized baseball men that
the Baltimore Feds have enough money
to keep going for At least one season.
II they could receive an opportunity to
buy out the Baltimore lnternationals.
controlled by Connie Mack and Jack
Dunn. there would be plain sailing In
that city. while MackS and Dunn could
buy the Jersey City franchise. which
could be shifted TO either Brooklyn or
Washington. To complete the plan to
raise the International League 20 a major
organization the Providence club. owned
by Frank J. Navin Of the Detroit club.
could be shifted to Pttsburg.
But in order To secure permission TO
Invade Pittsburg. Washington or Brook
lyn the unanimous consent OF the Ma
tlollal ana American League CLUBS again
must be obtained. With these Obstacles
in the way OF peaceful settlement OF
the present threatening controversy
therefore there is no doubt that the divi-
sion OF opinion among organized baseball
men has reached the acute stage. There
will be a final verdict one way or an
other in the near future. and from pres
ent indications 1t looks like n fight to a
finish unless there Is a complete back
lntrn nd tl,nx.a Ia, ~
tional League who believe he Is right.
Secretary John y. Foster of the Giants
found three signed contracts In the mail
yesterday. John ]. Murray. the popular
right fielder. has signed for 1914. 1915
and 1915. Milton Stock. the young in
fielder, and Dave Robertson. who comes
back from Mobile In the Southern Asso-
citation, have sewed themselves UP for
one year each. Stock played shortstop
for Mobile last year. batting .2Sl In 1877
games and stealing forty three bases
while Robertson's batting average was
1872 In 1876 games, with fifty seven steals.
The Boston Braves drafted Stock last
fall. but prior claim by the Giants was
recognized by the National Commission.
Robertson is an outfeder, but he will
probably be a candidate for first base,
Stock may be used frequently by Nc
Graw, now that Herzog has gone 70 the
Reds.
Bob Bescher, the outhelder secured by
the Giants from the Reds In the Herxog-
Hartley trade. sent word to Foster YES.
terday that he would not sign until after
he had talk with McGraw at Marlin in
March. Scout Dick kinsella will receive
these Giants at Marlin on February az:
Catchcrs Meyers. Wilson. Mclean and
Johnson Pitchers--Williams. Palmero.
Schauer. Ritter. Spencer, Westerwick and
Prieste. lnflelders-Stock and Grant.
Outfelders-Harrison and Piez
Shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh Of the
New Yorks has signed a contract. The
document reached the clubs headouar-
ters here yesterday together with a letter
In which Peck said:
Enclosed 10 my signed contract for
1914. Since receiving your letter of jan
uary l6 the Federal League people made
iiattering offer to me to sign with them.
] told them that would not consider Il
~ My Farrell had always treated me
equarely and ] intended to do the Same
by him. ] believe l have taken the right
course inasmuch as my efforts last year
were fully appreciated by you and hope
that ] will be able to give even better
results this season. I wish you and the
team the best OF good fortune"
President Ebbets of the Brooklyn club
consumed five minutes In signing big Ed