The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-07
HIT AT OWNERS, PLAN
HERMANN ADVISES
Thinks Federal Promoters Are
More Culpable Than Men
Breaking Contracts.
CHICAGO EXPENSE GREAT


August Hermann, chairman OF the Ma
tonal Commission. ntimated yesterday
that organized baseball was prepared to
take the most drastic action to prevent
Federal League promoters from tamper-
ing with major league players under
contract for next season. Mr. Hermann
is here for the National League meeting.
'It strikes me-" said Mr.. Hermann,
that there is some way to make an ex-
ample of these so-called sanctimonious
business men who have always prated
about the sacrcdncss OF contract. | am
not speaking tn an official capacity, for
the deserters concern only the clubs TO
which they have been disloysl.
81 understand that the National Com
mission will meet tomorrow in this city,
Mr. Hermann continued. president
johnson of the American League is to he
here IN the morning with Charles A.
Comiskey of the Chicago White SoS.
Undoubtedly the questionable methods OF
certain Federal promoters will come up
for consideration. We have at our dis
posal the very best legal talent OF the
country, and We nave Deen assured ol
the justice Of our position.
in my opinion the Federal League
never made a greater mistake than that
of signing RUDE Vanguard OF the Giants.
OF course IL is Harry y. Hcmpstcads
loss, and unless he wishes To- take action,
IL is no commission affair.
an all my NEGOTIATIONS with Charles
A. Weeghman relative TO the purchase or
the Chicago cubs | acted entirely in an
individual capacity. When Charles l..
Taft refused to extend an option for the
purchase of the property no Ill Will had
developed. | have heard nothing since
that would alter my opinion that an hon
orable peace might he effected If the Fed
eral League cared to accept the sort OF
terms Justified by the first years bust
ness.
1t would have been possible 80 TO ar
range matters for the hackers most
heavily iuVovcd--say two or three men
to provide themselves with major league
franchises shall make a full report OF
my negotiations with Weeghman. 1t VIII
show that the outlaws have not ghost
Of a chance to continue operations as a
league OF major pretentions.
II do not intend to betray condolences
and will Confino myself to facts that have
been given To the newspapers by the
Chicago owners The-prcsent annual rent
on Wceghmdu's grounds is $4,000. under
"A
the rent will be slS.OOc. and after twenty
years 100000 Mr. Wecgaman claims his
CONTINENT cost him S350000-that means
$4,000 a year. at least, interest. Last
year his salary ran away above s'o'-
900 Next year it would be far far more.
with $50. 600 players OF the Walter John
son stripe. just figure that out for your
self and see where the Chicago club gets
of.
1.-THE Federal League has no worlds
series to fall back upon and it has no
means of arranging attractive exhibition
games in the spring 10 help defray train
ing expenses. Big league clubs receive
back an average of half the outlay on
these lines. Complete maintenance and
training expenses must he made from
the gate during the regular season. Last
years experience. with widely scattered
circuit running principally to minor league
cities proved this impossible. II will
continue impossible, irrespective OF play
ing talent. 50 long as present territorial
conditions prevail
Hermann iutimated very strongly that
organized baseball would raise the bars
against all Federal League discards ire
spective OF their status when they joined
tho outlaw movement.
Tho minor leagues decided upon such
stand at Omaha" said Hermann. Il
nave I'm my posse ssion the names OF nine
players on one outlaw club who were
tdnut1 llltlT lNtpUulllO 'ltl rcIfdrfS SINCE
the close Of the past season. Seven of
tho nine went to the independents from
organized baseball
According TO Hermann Charles Her
zog will again manage the Reds II no I'M
foreseen obstacles present themselves.
Hcrzog Is exr~~sad here tomorrow from
mis- farm. Terms have not been discussed.
The manager left hurriedly after the close
Of the season, saying he would meet his
boss In New York at the coming meet
ing Hermann says that HerzoG and
Tom Clarke are the only players OF the
Reds unsigned. He anticipates no diffi-
Guilty with Clarke who is in Honolulu
with the touring stars Of the rival major
leagues.
Barney Drcyfuss Of the Pirates and
SCHUYLER Britton Of the Cardinals arrived
last night, both looking for trades TO re-
new interest and strength for another
campaign. Frank j. Navin OF the Detroit
Tigers has been in the city for couple
Of days and called upon the crones of
the parent major league during the eve
ming.
Most Of the club presidents OF the In
tornational League are bivouacked at the
Hotel Imperial, The annual meeting of
IA Barrow's circuit will be held there
this afternoon at 2 o'clock. An hour ear
Her the leagues board OF directors will
convene.
Barrow's scheme for schedule OF 14O
games seemed TO meet with the approval
OF most OF the early arrivals. No one
would talk of contemplated territorial
changes In spite of this the belief grows
that two franchises will be transferred
Baltimore will go into new quarters a,
Ebbcts Field. while Jersey City is likely
TO operate at Syracuse. II Is expected
that before niehtfall an announcement
Of the sale or the Newark club will he
forthcoming. This will leave Ebbets and
the McK,ever brothers free To play the
landlord 10 a minor league club in Brook.
Ign.
b. VI. IIiggiu>on Misses Few HIrd.
LAErHMo%T, Dec &c. NJ llirgnson
shooting iu "a gal" against fourteen other.
to-day at the larchmont Yacht Club'.