Evening star., 1914-11-21
is Both Big Leagues Predict Early Demise of Federal Movemen
NATIONAL LEAGUE NOT TO
TREAT FOR PEACE WITH FEDS
President Tener Makes Known Where His
Organization Stands-Says Outlaws
Are Not to Be Trusted.

NEW YORK, November 21.-Ban
Johnson's attitude of contempt for the
Federal League seems to have nnaiiy
aroused similar sentiments among the
club owners of the National League
The heads of the four eastern clubs OF
the parent ma jor who held an informal
meeting with President Tener at the
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel yesterday AFT
ernoon declared emphatically they
would oppose any further negotiations
with the independents now that
Charles weeghman of Chicago failed to
exercise his option on Charles P. Tafts
Cub stock Gov Tener was somewhat
more guarded in his remarks but he
intimated clearly that he was not in
favor of extending the hand of fellow
ship to class of men who had at
tempted to disorganize base ball.
The Federal League promoters at
tempted to ruin major league base ball
far as it lay in their power Ihey
have done us all the harm they poss!-
bly, can do. They. not we, are In trou
BILE now. Why should we care l read
political illustration the other day
that hits the situation on the head, OF
the fellow who threw the girl on
Brooklyn bridge, whipped and klched
her, tossed her down an elevator smart
and then asked sweety, ny can
you trust me, dear?
The Federal League hackers have
been responsible for every peace over
ture. 1t is not surprising that some OF
their proposals have been regarded
askance know that the Natlonai
League had a very successful season
in 1914 despite the presence OF the feo-
eral League and that the NatioiiaI
League would profit little through the
elimination of the independents. Nat
iS
guerrilla warfare. But not, TO my
mind, with the slightest sacrifice OF
privilege or principle.
Hermann Acting as Individual.
Gov. Tener declared that August
Herrmann's dealings with Charles
weeghman in the interests OF Charies
p Taft were conducted only In semi
official manner. He said that the chalr
man of the national commission hao
no authority to conclude articles OF
peace with the enemy: simply the risn.
to offer suggestions. with the reserve
of recommending these to the presl-
dents of the National and American
leagues.
''Of course, as Taft's agent Hermann
had the power to dispose of the chi
cago National League club STOCK 10
ANYBODY In our league such is a COM
merciai mmodity that may pc trans
ferred at will by an owner peheNe
n is different in the American League, !
where Mr. johnson holds so per cent
of the stock of each team in escrow.
But our league has the power 10 par
from its counsels Objectionable person |
ages and thus indirectly can veto tne
appointment of any club president. The
league as a corporation also holds a |
lien on the players OF the various
clubs 1t would be Impossible for |
buyer without the consent of the ma
jority 70 transfer players 10 any o'hei
league. .
GOV. Tener frankly admitted pique at
the published insinuations that CharleS
w. Murphy is still the power oenino
the Chicago Nationals. In reference TO
Murphy's recent activities in the
Weeghman-Taft negotiations the Ma
tional League president declared MuI-
phys interest was, nothing more than
that of a landlord over tne prospective
loss of tenant.
Il am satisfied that Mr.. Murphy mas
a absolutely no connection with the chi
cago National League team. he mas |
half interest in the West Side Park,
which has been rented to the Cubs for
a t-rrI of years. Naturally, he did not
wish to lose his tenant 10y having the
club removed to Wee ghmans park.
Says Murphy Has No Voice.
Since Mr.. Taft gave the National |
League his honorable assurance that he
had purchased Murphy STOCK the lat
ter has never by SO much as the stroke |
of a pen interfered in the affairs OF
the Cubs. l resent the insinuation that |
Murphy succeeded in pulling the wool
over the ewes of the National League. |
He is no more the owner of the Cubs |
than a man is the owner of house be- |
cause he holds mortgage, all the OBJ
legations of which have been met Mr..
Taft gave Murphy notes for portion |
of the purchase price, and Mr.. Murphy
realizes these notes are as good as
gold. Mr.. Taft has met the obligations
of every note promptly; indeed, he has
already paid Mr.. Murphy cash for more
than half the purchase price. Murphy
has absolutely no voice in the conduct
of the Chicago clubs affairs save as he
may be able to influence Mr.. Taft, with
whom he was at one time so success
fully associated in business"
1t was stated by man who is sup