The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-14
FEDS BOLT Is SHOT,
SAYS BAN JOHNSON
Big Leagues Unhurt, Except by
Having to Pay Bigger
Salaries to Men.
CAN DO NO MORE HARM
Would Have to Get More Stars.
and New Contracts Make
This Impossible.
CAN DO NO MORE HARM

Ban johnson. the big car Of the Amer
lean League. declares that the Federal
League has shot its bolt TO no purpose
The independent circuit liz destined to die
OF dry rot. in his opinion. Tho dictator
expects that before long tho flnancicrs
behind the outlaw cause will hoist the
white flag and attempt TO effect some sort
Of compromise beneficial to tho peace Of
the heretofore supreme organization.
Mr.. johnson was closeted some hours
yesterday with the local powers of or
ganIzed baseball. He stopped for the day
on his way from Washington to Boston.
He is making a tour OF the Eastern wing
OF his circuit and expects to return to this
city within very few days to confer
with his colleagues Ban lcf; late yes
terday afternoon for Boston. declaring he
had no Interior motive In his visit to
tho Hub
II Judge the Federal League" said
Ban, simply by its effect upon my own
league. To say that the Federal League
has not affected organized baseball would
be folly on my part. This is how 1t
affected us-lt forced us to increase sal
aries beyond all just proportions. But
maintain the Federal League already has
done all the damage II possibly can do.
The only way the Federal Leagu. could
hurt us further would be to take away
our star players. This is impossible now.
TO you not know that every player
who is worth worrying about Is bound
by i-onclad contract to either major
League? From their contracts have been
struck the ten days option release clauses.
And most OF these men have been intiu-
enced To contract their services for terms
OF years This form Of document is abso-
lutely binding to both parties. Neither
club owner nor player could shrk ms
responsibility II ne would until the life OF
the instrument had been fulfilled.
TO establish itself on an equal foot
ing with us II will h" necessary for the
Federals to develop from green material
a strength equal to our own. That VIII
mean years. VIII smart business men
continue to pay out fortunes indefinitely
in the hope Of finally crowding into -
field that Is already provided with an the
baseball that IL can possibly stand
Johnson intimated that organized base
hall mad only begun its campaign IN the
courts against the Federal League. lie
said that tho National Commission would
give permission to the International
League and the American Association TO
launch against the independent promoters
a number Of suits for damages through
conspiracy. AZ tNe Tesuit W i'SS'0 ~
playcrs who already had signed minoi
league contracts. The first of these IL the
Mcdonald case. which made President
Gilmore of the Federals race from the
Tip Top opening In Brooklyn up to the
Grand Jury in Rochester.
I'VE intend to make "A striking example
OF such alleged recreants as this fellow
Mcdonald" said johnson. According to
President Chaplin OF the Rochester club
he behaved In n very bad manner. Even
after he had signed Federal League
contract he is reported to have drawn
advance money from the owner OF the
Broncos. Five days before he reported
to the outlaws he got an additional MY!
dollars We have been advised that Me-
Donald has laid himself open 10 very
grave criminal charge; that not only did
he gain money through fraudulent chan
nels but that he used the United States
mails to accomplish his end. President
Gilmore of the Federal League certainly
has not squared his account by his APP
pearance in Rochester"
Frank Chances excellent showing with
the New Yorks Is the source OF the great
est satisfaction to the Rig Chief He
thinks that Frank Farrell at last has
found the savior Of the local cause OF
the American League Ban Is of the
opinion that New York will keep well up
In the fight all the way. He expects this
year one of the old fashioned races. such
as helped SO much TO establish the credit
of the circuit in the stormy war days Of
the past.