The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-14
ABSURD, SAYS BAKER
OF PHILLIES CANARD
Club Owner Ridicules Report
He Is About to Sell Out to
' Ward Brothers.
GAFFNEY FIGHTS JUMPERS

! or brooklyn had purchased the Quakcrs
! The story went on to say that Rober,
h. Ward, president OF the Brooklyn Fed
erals. had called Secretary. Treasurer
Walter 5. Ward to Philadelphia 10 con-
sumnate the deal that had been under
| way Tor two days that the sale had been
I practically ratified that the best play
ers Of the outlaw Tip Tops would be
/ transferred to bolster the Philllcs and that
the others would be amalgamated with
/ the Jersey City club for the purpose of
/ placing strong international League
: club at Washington Park
Il nave no Idea where such an absurd
story originated" said Mr.. Baker. but
/ II is a fabrication OF far fetched magma
! ton. have not been In Philadelphia
/ Tor several days. have not seen Mr..
/ Ward or any OF his associates since we
. met last spring In q New York hotel at
/ III" time of the return OF tho Giants ard
/ White SoN from their tour OF the world.
No proposition ever has been made by
| Mr.. Ward toward "a purchase of my club
/ so far az | know And II such a PROPOSE
! ton should be made 1t would not be con-
| sidrred.
THE Philadelphia National League
/ club is not for sale. That goes whether
I or not the present baseball war contirtes
/ Ihe stockholders are very well satisfied
/ with existing conditions ! am pleased
with the prospects In Philadelphia and
never have entertained an Idea of sever
ing my connections with the National
League.
II think the wild rumor that associated
myself and tho Ward interests In bust
ness negotiations was an echo OF the
hystt:ia that seems TO have heset the
baseball writers Of the middle West. Al
most every day one or TWO major league
Z oh IL 4 i
annoying to club presidents OF the Ma
t,ouLl and American leagues MY friends
Of New York and Philadelphia took the
reports seriously aad all evening hate
been calling me by telephone to verify
the story. | wish to be put right once
and for all with my patrons OF Phla-
delphia. The National League club Of
that city is not for sale
Local representatives OF organized base
ball express tho most profound ignorance
when questioned upon the possibilities of
an amicable adjustment of the baseball
war 1t is denied that the reported sale
OF the Cubs to Charles Weeghman of chi
cago indicates in the least any compro-
mise with the outlaws There seems TO
be well grounded belief that an al!ena-
ton of Wceghman and his associates from
the Independent cause would prove dam
aging blow to the outlaw cause as IL
NOuiu tlIIlliate one OF the Few cities OF
major league calibrc
Secretary John A. Heydler OF the Ma
uonal League declared yesterday that no
official notification of negotiations between
NorEhmIn aud Charles +. Taft had
reached headquarters. lie was Inclined
TO believe that August lIerrmlun's ac-
tvities in the matter were purely per
sondl IN no manner associated with his
office OF National Commisslan chairman.
y National League club president who
resides In this city stated yesterday that
IN his belief the Cubs had been sold 10
Charles Weeghman
MIR. Hermann" said he has acted
only AS friend of Mr.. Taft. The latter
asked the owner OF the Cicirnat Reds 10
assist him IA d!sposing of his interest In
the Chicago Nationals II was Mr. TAT,
who sent WeeEhmau 10 Hermann IN New
ork At the time Of the worlds series and
inns meeting resulted In the subsequent
conferences in Chicago and els thwerc
Peace with the Federal League has
not been effected by a long way, though
the prospects are brighter by far than a
month ago. Naturally both sides must
go slowly. for many intricate problems
are involved. One OF the chief matters
of moment concerns the players who de-
serted organized baseball. | know in our
league tho majority of club owners are
opposed to accepting back into the good
graces Of the National Commission these
same renegades
The Federal League will not be ac-
cepted into organized baseball az a major
You may he sure of that. And those
proposals which have been aired having
for view AN amalgamation Of the outlaws
with the International League and Amer
lean Association Offer no seasonabe solu-
tion of the difficulties. That would leave
unprotected practically the same territory
that was open to Federal raid and siraply
would invite trouble In the future. II
peace IL effected 1t must bo effected in
"A way that will reflect credit and honor
10 the established organization
II believe Charles Weeghmau will buv
the Cubs If he has not done so already.
But | do not believe the announcement
will he made until the annual meeting
of the National League. AS chairman OF
the National Commission, which was
vested with supreme power To act on
behalf Of organized baseball in tho fight.
August Hermann has every right TO en-
terrain projects for peace. But Mr.. Herr
mann alone has not the authority TO act
for organized baseball He must have
the support Of Gov, Tener and Ban John
son. for after all he can only advise
Before any definite steps are taken in
any direction the National League club
owners will he consulted. No peace can
possibly be consummated before the an |
nual meeting OF tho National League"
James y. Gaffney. president OF the |
worlds champion Braves. is one National
League magnate who will oppose strongly !
the pardon of major league deserters In /
the event of peace.
perhaps | am fortunate In having a |
champion club" said Mr.. Gaffney yester. |
day, but ! went on record when NV |
team was wallowing In last place. | said |
then and | repeat now that every player
who quit me will remain out of the major |
leagues If | have my way. | didn't lose !
anybody worth worrying over, II Is true |
But that IL not the point. A player who |
would jump "A contract would throw a |
ball game, In my opinion,
"A number OF my associates OF the |
League who have suffered ia p |
more heavily than myself are OF the same |
opinion, ] have talked with them and ,
without exception they are dead set upon |
making an example Of the unfaithful 7
am satisfied that most OF the National ,
League club owners are through forever
with their ingrates,"
Mr. Gaffney. one Of the many magnates
To find his club sold over his head over
night, is planning serenely for another
worlds championship for the city Of Cul-
ture, Tentative arrangements have h.en
made for tho use of Fenway Park in 1915 .
hough the owner or the worlds channIons
hopes to have "A modern plant OF his own
within the near future.
AT the annual meeting OF the Nationoi
League Mr. Gaffney will indorse the nrn.