New-York tribune., 1915-12-18
Old Leaguers and Feds
Will Be Forced to
Make Concessions.
o. B. DEMANDS THAT
SUIT BE WITHDRAWN
Baltimore Men Insist Their Town
Receive a Big League
Franchise.
BY FRANK O'NEILL.


The war in baseball is not quite set
tied. After hours Of oratory, in which
one Of studious bent might have learned
much Of oratory and argument, the
commissioners Of the Federal League
and organized baseball. who met at the
Waldorf yesterday. adjourned for the
night Peace hovers in the ofing, Ike
a bashful youngster, but il has not
been declared. Nor will It be until
each side makes concessions.
Organized baseball demands that the
Feds withdraw the suit now in the
hands OF Judge Lands, and will enter
into no agreement until 1t is with
drawn. The Baltimore Feds demand a
major league franchise and refuse
point blank to consider anything else.
The Federal League just now Will not
withdraw its suit. 1t is generally felt
that this is a most effective club. To
Withdraw il would place the Feds in
the same position as nation with a
demobilized army when an enemy
strikes.
The Baltimore men are firm in the
demand for admission to the major
league. They insist that theirs IS a
major league city in every respect, and
demand that it be so recognized. They
want TO take the st. Louis franchise
and play the team in Baltimore. THIS
proposition met with curt refusal
But some strides have been taken.
The Brooklyn Tip Tops will withdraw
from Washington Park, leaving the site
barren of baseball AMI the city IN the
hands of the Superbas. Organized base
bal will reimburse George S. Ward an
nually with per cent Of the assessed
value Of Washington Park for twenty
years.
Two more bargains were driven. The
Cardinals. and not the Browns, were
purchased by Stiefel and Ball, and will
be merged ~ith the St. Louis Federals,
under ,he command of Fielder Jones.
Miller Higgins will be assisted TO pur-
chase the St. Paul club. of the Amer
lean Association Charley Weeghman
purchased the Cubs and will combine
them with the Whales, with Joe Tink
or in charge. Roger Bresnahan will
be paid in full for, his contract, which
still has two years to run, and he will
he aided 10 buy the Cleveland team OF
the American Association, which Will
be moved to his home town, Toledo.
Harry F. Sinclair. owner OF the New
ark club in the Federal League, VIII
not purchase the controlling interest IN
the New York Giants. His name has
been mentioned as a possible, IN fact.
a probable. purchaser of the interests
of the heirs Of John T. Brush. which
amounts TO sc per cent of the stock or
the club. Mr. Sinclair assured the
writer Yesterday that he positively
would not invest his money in the Ma
.ional League club in this city. lie
said that several days ago he had con-
sidered the proposition, but although
his fortune gushed out OF the ground
in Oklahoma. he did not propose to run
Il into the ground on Manhattan ISL
and.
II is said that Harry ~ Hampstead
demanded sl.500,000 for So per cent OF
the capital stock OF the club. Mr.. Sin
clair refused 10 pay such staggering
price. Unless Mr.. Sinclair was beat
ing around the bush, and he passed
his word that he was not, another per
fectly good rumor has gone TO smash.
Early in the afternoon the story was
banded about that the deal was all
settled.
No one has been found to purchase
the Indians from Charles Somers. but
the owner Of the Indians need not
worry. lie has the support OF every
loyal baseball man in the country. His
millions were at the command of the
American League during the stormy
DAYS. and Ban Johnson is the author
ity for the statement that Somers will
be protected.
Another canard was run into the
ground yesterday. From some source
or other the rumor came that the
Senators and Brookfeds would COM
IL ~ gg "
next season. We asked Clarke Grif-
fifth about the matter. He made a
sweeping denial. and branded the whole
tale as the product Of fertile imagina-
ton. He said that he would not listen
to the proposal to bring any team that
he managed to Brooklyn.
"It's the worst city in the world for
baseball" said Griffith. at broke many
a good man. and IL will break others.
Charley Ebbets is a hero for staying
there as long as he has. Now, get me
right. the Senators will not be IN
Brooklyn as long as ! have anything TO
do with them
The American League legation ar
rived on time yesterday morning after
a trio through a storm -gripped coun-
try. II retired 20 the Wolcott Hotel
and went into star chamber council IN
ban Johnson room. II "dH Ht4N '"N
the various commissioners presented
their demands and the American
League side Of the matter was framed.
Ban Johnson, president Of the Ameri-
can League; Ben Miner, owner OF the
Senators; Charley Comiskey. OF the
White Sox; Joe Lannin, Of the White
Sox. and Jacob Rupert. Of the Yankees
formed the committee 10 represent the
American League.
These men met John X. Tener, presi-
dent Of the National League; Garry
Hermann. chairman OF the National
Commission: Barney Dreyfuss, OF the
Pirates, who said 81 have made Henry
Ford look like a piker'; Harry y.
Hampstead, Of the Giants, and James
=. Gsfney. Of the Braves. Of the Ma
tiOnal League. and Edward Barrow. OF
tho international League. and Thomas
Chivington, Of tho American Associa-
tion.
When the Federal League represent
atives arrived there was almost a mob
scene as 500 baseball writer's, fans and
others crowded around. James A. Gil
more, president Of the league; Harry