The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-15
BAN JOHNSON CRAFTY
IN HIS LATEST MOVE
Calling Early Meeting Of His
League Puts Everything
Up to Nationals.
GLAD TO ALLOW CUB SALE

President Ban Johnson OF the Ameri-
can League never showed greater diplo-
macy than In calling the annual meet
ing OF his circuit "A month earlier than
usual. by this strategy the director OF
The destiny of the younger major was able
to saddle upon the older organization
whatever ignomny the public may con-
slider In peace negotiations between the
independents and organized baseball.
Johnson has refused steadfastly to treat
with any one associated with the outlaw
cause, but his tolerance OF August Herr
mann as mediator proves the big GEAR
not averse to an amicable adjustment
According to several American League
club presidents who attended that leagues
annual conference in Chicago recently. all
Of the overtures for peace have been
made by the Federals 1t is said that
the demands or requests OF the independ-
ents were not unreasonable and that the
Ratchet might have been buried before
this IL Gilmore and his associates had
not tried 10 protect those contract jump
ers who deserted to the revolutionary
party after tho season opened. Most
prominent of these are Hal Chase, Heine
Schulz, Chief Johnson and Armando Mar
sans The Federal League, II ls said,
was ready 10 compromise for far less than
major league rating.
johnson, It is said opposed the wishes
ready to extend a pardon TO the mldsea-
son deserters in the interests OF what
was believed 10 be the common good. Ban
has decreed that the American League
backsliders must remain without the pale
lie also pointed out that his henchmen
might well sit back out OF the danger
zone OF all blame In the pending negotia-
tons for peace and order.
The American Leagues territory has
not been directly violated by the foe. as
has that OF the National League 1t ls
true that two cities shared alike by tho
majors-ChicaEo and st. Louis--were In
vaded But Comlskey's White Sox are
a law unto themselves. they hold the fort
In Chicago whether champions or tall
enders The Federal League club OF st.
Louis was the greatest frost OF the new
league
The Cubs were more or less hard hit In
Chicago. especially on Saturdays and Sun
days and In the early months when
ODay's club was away OFF It's stride. Next
to Old Roman Comiskey Charles Weegh-
man Is the most popular baseball promoter
the Windy City has known within dec
ade. This fact alone enabled him to draw
good week end crowds to tho North Side,
a territory as far removed from the busi-
! ness centre OF Chicago as The Bronx Is
| from the Battery.
| The American League believes that an
alienation of weeghman from the Federal
cause would indirectly benefit the Ma
! tional by restoring the old time favor OF
/ the Cubs. But II has left the matter
! squarely UP to the National League. The
hitch so far In the negotiations between
| Hermann and Weeghman, American
League magnates declare. has been over
| the proposition to transfer the Cub fran
chise from the West Side 10 the North
End. Strangely enough, Weeghman's pro-
posal is favored by the Johnson forces
This park. which is fifteen miles out. Is
situated in the heart OF a booming resi-
years has grown from 5000 TO over l00,-
900 population. While Weeghmans plant
IL fifteen miles from the business centre
! OF Chicago the transportation facilities
are excellent Doubtless there may be
some selfish motive in the American
| Leagues desire to see the Cubs play a.
| Weeghman's new plant, II would mitigate
TO the favor OF the White Sox on the coca
sion OF Sunday conflicts.
The apparently unconcerned American
LeaEuers looked forward to the meeting
between Federal and National League IN
terests In Cincinnati on December ! a:
sure to develop sale of the Cubs &c
| Weeghman. They maintain that tn,
hackers OF the Chicago Federals are ready
to Join organized basebalrs ranks regard
less OF the fate OF their presen. associates
They have reputed authentic figures e
back up their contention These show
that Chicago. which was one OF the yer,
best patronized clubs. drew scarcely more
than enough money to pay salaries ant
road expenses