The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-25
JOHNSON IN TORONTO,
TALKS MYSTERIOUSLY
Third BIG League Development
Scented in Remark Made
Mt Banquet There.
LOOKING OVER THE GROUND
Ebbpts and McKeeyer Glad to
Have Kraft With Their
Newarks Again.


hickory tree in nuttns time than to
silence Ban johnson in wartime. The
American League president bobbed IN
yesterday afternoon az the guest Of honor
al a luncheon given by the MAYOR and
Corporation Of the city OF Toronto IN the
National club there Yesterday President
Edward g. Barrow Of the International
League was of the party.
Mr.. johnson is q very diplomatic gentle
manageable OF returning bouquets. He as
sured the Canadians that he would seri-
ously consider their claims to exalted dis
tlnction and that ne hoped Toronto would
be In the major class next season. Mr.
Johnson's utt'.dncc. to those thoroughly
acquainted With his adroitncss. WAS less
significant than the fact that he was IN
Toronto AZ all
There is little doubt that the fiery leader
OF the American League went to the
Canadian metropolis with the sole purpose
Of investigating It's possibilities. And as
none of the franchises of either the Ma
tional or American league Is on the
market Toronto's opportunity for ad-
vancement in the organized field rests en-
urely with the proposition OF a third
major league. This very scheme was adj
vanced by the National Commission. but
80 far as could be learned no feasible
plan could be determined.
Edward Barrow was appointed a special
representative OF tn, National Commission
TO investigate conditions for this tentative
project Barrow has been working hard
but saving little. Naturally enough he for
nation NJ 2 third major league would h a
most delicate affair, n II were launched
lndepeudent Of Federal League interests.
The circuit would have 10 embrace the
best towns Of both the American Associa-
ton and the international League. the
territory Of neither would Justify advance
ment Naturally enough the four clubs Of
each association that would have To he
dropped would not take kindly 10 the
scheme
MANY students ~ baseball believe that
acme sort OF a coalition between orsan'zcd
baseball and the Federal League will he
effected before the end ~ the present play.
ing season. They argue that both sides
have tired Of the haav~ drains necessary
70 maintain the war and that the most
desirable element Of the outlaw interests
viii he protected IN a territorial revision
which will eliminate the Gilmore circuit
q an independent.
IN 10 the present organized baseball as
tvpihed hv the two major leagues had held
the whip hand IN tho fight against the
FederalS But the revolutionary element
has seriously crippled the minor lea CUES
especially those Of class "A. and y has
been through these that the more pre-
tentious magnates were hurt The two
major leagues could not 20 FAR without the
support of the little fellows.
II IL we're a case of the survival OF the
ftt-st there is little doubt that the major
league club owners could go further than
the Federals. But the lesser lights, upon
whose success tho majors must depend,
have 70 he considered. And these have be-
gun to srumhle seriously over tho pres
ent pinch.
The Kraft controversy eeArs 10 have
died a natural death ard every one Is
happy Nessrs Ehhets and Mckeever eS-
pressed themselves yesterday as well sat
'sfed that the deal with Frank Farrell
was abroga because the player set too
high valuation upon his services. The
first baseman Is eager 70 PLAY with the
Indians at salary entirely satisfactory
IN all concerned Kraft will he a seven
day wonder 900 Newark on the strength
Of his recent notoricty. hut Ike every
other athlete ne will have TO deliver high
grade baseball to petain the regard OF his
present worshippcrs.
Rrooltlvn returned last nigh. from a
very unsuccessful Western trip which
dropped the Dodgers to the bottom ~ the
National League standing Robnson's
team opens a long home engagement at
Ehbets Field this afternoon. The first ot
the Western teams 10 call Is Cincinnati,
which also has been going from bad to
worse The meeting of these two clubs is
not particularly alluring, espcc ally when
IL is a counter attraction to the welcome
home OF the champion and leading Giants
But BROOKLYN will offset this disadvantage
somewhat IN a bargain attraction. 4
double header Ia billed for Ehbets Field,
while New York and Pittsburg will play
only one game AZ the Polo Grounds.