Evening journal., 1915-06-30
IN Sane Baseball"
LIES CANES FUTURE
Wiser Counsel Is Necessary
Before Complete
Collapse
TINE SEEMS RIPE
FOR ACTION NOW

That baseball peace and a return TO
sane basis of running the game is
an absolute necessity is evident by
the condition that exists throughout
the country Never has the game
faced such a crisis, both in major and
minor fields. Several leagues which
have just opened their campaign adj
nit that they cannot 90 on much
longer if the attendance does not in
crease, while in the National, Ameri-
can and Federal leagues the games
are, with few exceptions, played to
empty stands.
The Philadelphia Evening Ledger
in dealing with the question says:
For years it has been contended
by some people that the National
League was New York league.
meaning that 1t was an absolute
necessity To have a strong team in
New York Il has been said that the
Giants could always make a trade
that would strengthen the team Just
when it seemed to be slipping, while
other managers apparently have
offered better inducements for the
same player, who eventually landed
with McGraw and put the Giants in
the race.
"A pennant contender in New York
enriches the whole league and the
poor showing Of McGraw's team and
the rise OF THE Yankees has caused a
shrinkage in the crowds at the Ma
tional League games in New York.
When the Giants cannot draw enough
people TO enable the visiting team to
clear expenses for its first swing
around the eastern circuit. those
clubs are going to have a hard time
paying salaries and other expenses.
1.-THE same cry is heard throughout
the country. except in the Southern
and Pacific Coast leagues. The
American League is running far be-
hind last season. and 1914 was gem
orally considered a frost. The en-
trenchment policy of the National
League has helped some but there
are several clubs the 21-player limit
had wrecked. Manager Herzog de-
clared it was such a handicap with
many men signed to ironclad con
tracts that he could not go out and
pick up youngsters he desires to
strengthen.
"Other managers have said tie
same thing They are loaded up with
contracts that they cannot get rid Of.
and this additional expense, with lit
tie coming in. has caused many a
sleepless night for some magnates
"The Federal League is in the same
position and is probably losing even
more than either of the major league
clubs. Miller Higgins says that he
knows absolutely that the st. Louis
Federal League club lost 100000 last
season. and that il cannot hope to do
as we'll this season. with expenses
much heavier
r. 3. Ward. owner of the Brooklyn
club. admits that his team lost a
large sum Of money last season. but
he says he has had a great deal Of
amusement out of the game. and is
willing TO go on supporting two or
three clubs in the outlaw league. So
long as he is in that frame Of mind
organized ball cannot hope to starve
out the Feds. II is suicide for both
parties to go on paving out salaries
such as the players are drawing now.
Clubs that have been big money maxi
ers in the past have little chance Of
even splitting even this year unless
conditions suddenly change.
The lnternationals will not last
another month In the West the
American Association is running be-
hind
The smaller leagues already are
crying for help. The George state
League is about TO close up. Ameri-
Gus has thrown up it's franchise and
no other city seems to be willing to
take a chance. The Nebraska state
League. which has just started. is also
thinking Of playing independent of
organized ball in order TO get the
players IL needs TO command the sun
port Of the public.
I Raising salaries out Of all propor-
ton in the larger leagues has made
i necessary for the small circuits 10
lower their salary limits. and reduce
The player limit 10 protect Themselves
during the hard times. In other
years the majors sent PLAYERS To the
smaller leagues 10 help them out but
now the major league players have
ironclad contracts and thew cannot
be released nor can the salaries be
cut according 10 the class Of the
LEAGUE TO which they are sent