New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-09
Federal League Jumps from
blessing in Disguise
to "a Joke"
ROSS OF BASEBALL
CHANGES HIS MIND
Tom Halpin Now Ranks at Top
Among the Middle Distance
Runners of the Day.
By Herbert.

by HERBERT
Ran Johnson boss OF the American
League. is no respecter OF ways and
,,osrs 10 attain the ends which suit his
fancy Six weeks ago or Whereabouts the
Federal League was a blessing in dis
g,,sev Now this same Federal League
,is a Joke. a bowling farce Ban john
con knows well how to use the weapons
tina, come 10 his hand. He played the
outlaws against the National League with
purpose single to crowding Charles
Webb Murphy out Of organized baseball
LIST how far the pressure he brought TO
bear i'm the way of his most warlike dec
lsration was instrumental in rousing the
National League owners in general, and
Governor Tener in particular 10 the point
that Murphy must be bought out at any
nr,ce may never be known, but it prob
ably had some effect. In any case Ban
lohnsons attitude changed suddenly once
chubby Charley was eliminated
Not so long ago James a. Gilmore, pres
dent OF the Federal League, was lauding
,he car Of baseball and dreaming, no
doubt. that the time was not far distant
when his organization would stand side
nv side with the American League. glee-
fully watching the Tener circuit drift on
the rocks TO sure destruction What a
change must have come over the spirit
Of those dreams. for. 10. the wool has
been pulled Off his eyes with such a fay
ng as Ban Johnson only can give, on MS
arrival in this city on Thursday quote
me as saving he asserted. that the
Federals have no money in Buffalo. In
disnapolis and Pittsburgh and mighty
few players Of big league calibre.
Wen welcome a fight in the courts If
they want H. But they won't fight. Their
bluff has been called We intend 10 show
mp these four iushers in their proper
light" Such IS baseball politics.
one OF these fine days Ban Johnson will
oyerreach himself and some Of his bold
assertions will come home 10 roost There
Is no telling how far the Federal League
will 90. The fans will settle that. for
without support all the money in the
world will not spell success. II may be
noted however. that I'D TO this time all
the power and all the money Of organized
baseball has not teen able to discourage
the outlaws or Drive them 10 the wall. To
fair thinking persons there is no reason
as yet 70 call the men behind the Federal
League -four fushers' or TO charge them
With blufing. Ban Johnson was airing his
vocabulary-the very thing which did so
much 10 discredit Murphy. His statement
carried 10 weight ard made another dent
10 what little dignity is left.
About the only way organized baseball
has called the bluff" Of the outlaws is to
dig deep and keep on raising" TO hold
such stars as Speaker, Matty. Crawford,
Snodgrass and dozens Of others. II GER
tainly is no Joke TO pay an outflelder
1900 for two years.
Speaking OF 81 600. the amount which
Iris Speaker will earn for playing two
seasons with the Red Sox. one is moved to
marvel that baseball can support such
figures. The Feds have boosted salaries TO
point which will make for much uneasi-
ness, and the end is not yet.
With Mike Doolan and Knabe gone over
10 the outlaws, the infield OF the Phlles
has been cut 10 pieces. II will take some
building before that team can hope TO
land again in the first division.
Are YOU worrying about the detection
Of shafer?' I asked McGraw at the din
nsr on Saturday evening. He replied.
or course. it's something TO worry about.
shafer is real third baseman and
'here's no telling if he can be replaced all
N minute. With him back things
would look pretty sweet"
from all accounts, the worlds touring
Players did even more for baseball than
me most optimistic could hope when the
pan Fst was suggested Under the cir
oumstsnces the welcome accorded at the
OK dinner in the Biltmore Hotel on Sat
utoay evening was more than deserved.
Love OF the game was the predominating
hote' and Il was inspiring to see how
quickly everybody responded TO any ref
''ence which indicated the spreading Of
Ne name and fame. Seldom have ! seen
70 much enthusiasm and such hearty
soo0 feeling for those who had been out
Niclns the globe. u must not be over
looked that the trip was largely specu
.aiive' and consequently not altogether
'or the desire OF gain. That it turned out
70 oe reasonably profitable is cause for
generalization. as much was done for the
'ppf, and II will encourage another vent
IRE
Natty Remains Loyal 10 His Team and
hia Organization" was the caption on a
s.orY within the week after big Six
nao signed a three-year contract with the