The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-12
GILMORE SAYS HE'S
READY FOR BATTLE
Insists Organized Ball Owes
Fedcrals Four Players
by Moral Code.
HAMILTON CANCELS ONE
Processes TO Believe Adverse
Killifcr Decision Was
Great Victory.
HAMILTON CANCELS ONE

James ~ Gilmore, president OF tn,
Federal League. arrived IN New vort
yesterday morning with chip on hi.
shoulder. lie says he Is not lookn; foi
trouble with organized baseball. but that
II his arch enemy doesn't behave tn,
capitalists behind his enterprise are pre-
pared to spend every last great to make
1t stand at attention. Further. Mr. GIL
more declared he would sue william Xiii.
fer. recently awarded to the Philadelphia
National League club 10y the Michigan
courts for Il sum of $4,000 because 81
breach of faith.
When seen early IN the morning upon
his arrival from Chicago Mr.. Gilmore did
not appear 30 spunhy a. later In the day
A glimpse OF the work done by the Ward
brothers at Washington Park doubtless
treasured him. for over his demitsssc he
seemed quite willing TO hurl the gauntlo,
at Ban johnson. Gov. Tener and all tn.
horde of maenatcs in that happy big
family known as organized baseball
WAR; unused Mr.. Gllmor2. Why
that is strictly up to the other fellows.
We do not seel Il. Neither shall W. run
away to fight again another day. We are
prepared for 1t II organized baseball forces
warfare.
II have been criticised for counienah-
cling the action OF George S;ovall in AN
alleged theft OF Pitcher Hamilton from
the ST. Louis Browns. Ii has been pointed
out that this was IN defiance of my
stated policy of keeping hands on major
league players under contract. / confess
j announced such policy last winter.
And I announced 1t in all sincerity too.
But" and the eyes OF Mr. Gilmore
snapped as his face took on a steoly look.
who broke faith? Who but the powers
Of organized baseball, who +, fused the
olive branch and who never yet have con-
0idered one interest save their own selfish
ends?
N went 10 organized baseball. and with
an open hand l asked for peace. said
] would respect contracts in the ma jor
leagues II my contracts were respected.
] openly declared | never would respect
the reserve clause. which has been in
validated by the courts of law.
what was the answer? Organized
baseball began to steal Federal League
players under contract. They stole five
killifer. Blanding. kahler. Baumgardner
and Williams. Could | tamely submit
to that? a thousand times no And
will not submit
III the teams 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 Killifer case
would indicate. then they have my per-
mission TO go where they will in the
organized fold and replace these men
with whoever they please Kansas City
has the right to two more big leaguers
to make UP for the pillage of Williams
and Baumgardner Organized baseball
owes Buffalo player for kshier and
Chicago one for Klllifer. Hamilton,
igure, has repaid Kansas City for Bland
ing.
''we are going to have four more
players Missed Gilmore. III II takes
every last penny Of the Federal League.
War? No. We're not looking for
war. We think baseball can do very
nicely without it. But we're not going
to stand for any form of oppression. II
organized baseball attempts any further
interference We will reply to them man
for man. II organized baseball is pre-
pared TO attempt general raid, then
ven reply the same way and let either
the public or the courts settle the merits
Of the case"
decision as decisive victory for his
league. He maintains that it breaks down
the reserve clause and that as soon as
tho terms of contract of many major
league stars expire they will seek his
circuit without solicitation. He does not
believe, however. that the killifer de-
cioion automatically gives possession 10
the majors of Blanding. kahler. Williams
and Baumgardncr. But in view of the
decision his league will not take steps TO
recover the services of these men. He
declares the plan OF retaliation will be
more effective. for with the right II
possession on his side, he argues. the
Federal case will he stronger as defend
ant than 1t possibly could rs plaintiff