The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-16
EVEN GOOD FEDS TO
Be BARRED OUT NOW
Wards and Their Stripe Never
VIII Receive Overtures Of
Organized Baseball.
LAST JUMPS LAST STRAW

James n, tlin1ore ana his associates
Of the Federal League, through their
most recent attack upon the property of
organized baseball. are simply storing
up additional trouble for themselves.
according to the statements OF the rec
ognized powers OF the game. There was
disposition in certain quarters to deal
somewhat leniently with certain innocents
who had been won over by the oily talk
OF the original promoters But this quail
ity Of mercy has been so far strained
In the course Of recent developments that
even the most soft hearted Of the big
camp Is now crying thumbs down.
II is war to the death. according to
the latest utterances OF the recognized
organized powers. No cognzance will
be taken now of even the acknowledged
better element of the independent circuit
The supposedly honorable members Of the
outlaw enterprise have left themselves
open to criticism through negotiations
with players OF the major league who had
bound themselves to their employers by
the strongest form of contract. A num-
Der Of National League stars, including
Frank Allen, Heine Groh. Ed Konetchy.
Ivy Wingo and Perritt, have gone over
to the opposition since the close of the
regular season. Without exception these
men have broken either contract obliga-
tons or as binding option promises. II
the announcements emanatng from the
Federal League are TO he credited, even
the Ward brothers. owners OF the local
Federal League club, have decided TO
forsake their original policy or steering
clear of players under contract.
II has been announced and has not
been denied by officials OF the Brooklyn
Federal League team, that Heine Groh.
second bascman Of the Cincinnati Reds.
kau ufa ,.Itl IN taat
Hermann, president Of tho Cincinnati
club and also chairman Of the National
Commission. who decided at the last mo-
ment TO extend his visit In New York a
couple OF days. declared that Groh is
held by Cincinnati by the terms Of
three year contract which Will not be
fulfilled until the end of 1915 AZ the
Waldorf-Astoria Yesterday afternoon Mr..
Hermann was very positive In his belief
that there must have been some mistak,
in the report ~ Groh's desertlon.
Not only was he one OF the most
satisfied players Of the Cincinnati club"
said Garry. but he signed contract
which has still two years to run at his
own terms. He never expressed any
thing but the mast absolute satisfaction
with his condition. ! cannot credit the
statement that he deserted Cincinnati, and
will not until ne tells me himself Groh
Is one Of the very last OF my players
that should suspect OF such treachery."
Charles II. Ebbets, the Brooklyn mag
nate who was in conference with Herr
mann. attempted no denial of the fac;
that Pitcher Allen had gone over to tho
enemy. Allen was under contract to the
Brooklyn club for 1915 by virtue of two
years document. The ten days option
clause had been eliminated from the
papers II was said that Wingo. Perrit:
and Konetchy were held to their major
league employers by definite option con-
a. No.. . e. nj ~
the ten day clauses had been stricken.
None Of the National League powers
would intimate what action would BE-
taken 10 make the disputed players full
fil disputed contract obligations. There
was general feeling OF security in
possible legal action. Nut also there was
an undercurrent OF resentment against
the desertcrs. one Of the magnates In
expressing his personal opinion doubtless
voiced the sentiments OF his colleagues
"Organized baseball has been very for
tunatr To- come uff SO well as IL has this
year" said he. NJ stigma has attached
to the game in spite OF the tactics OF the
independents. which In some instances
have Influenced players to break their
words, One Of the most cred,table worlds
series competitions ~ all history has ended
in manner which cannot but reflect
the greatest public confidence in the
honesty of the sport.
professional baseball will stand or fall
with public confidence. In this connection
| think 1t would he most unwise to bother
with that class Of player who has NJ
respect for his moral or legal obligations
Certainly ! should not care to try 10
force through process of law the full
flment of any contract abrogated by one
of the profession. From such the Federal
League will not he able to build up last
ing credit Personally | think organized
| baseball all the better on for such losses
| Organized baseball has kept its hands
clean and should be willing to do 80
even at additional financial sacrifice"
II has been pointed out that President
James \. Gilmore of the Federals was
authority for the hint OF radical terri
torlal changes in his circuit next year.
/ The exploded plans foretell the dropping
of Buffalo In the East in favor OF Wash
ington and the elimination in the West OF
Indianapolis and Kansas City for Cleve-
land and Detroit.
President James 4. Gaffney OF the Bos-
| ton Braves has little but glory to show
for the record triumph of his Braves