The Washington times., 1915-12-08
Head of Feds viii Make No A.
tempt to Conci|iate o. B.
Magnates.
BLAMES BAN JOHNSON
New League Offers Home Run
Baker $4,000, But No
More.

NEW YORK, Dec. 8.-James A.
Gilmore, president of the Federal
League, squelched once and for all
today the rumor that the new league
would in any way attempt to con-
ciliate the solons of the National and
American Leagues. "Bosh and pop.
pycock," was his answer when asked
if any overtures would be made
previous to the meeting of the Ma
tional League, which will be held at
the Waldorf next week.
For the moment, at least, he
changed from the smiling, affable
James A. Gilmore to the same
Fighting jim" who carried a rifle
in the defense of this country in the
Spanish-American war. Time has
altered the name and condition, but
his spirit is undaunted. He is fight
ing now in defense of his league,
and it will be fight to the finish.
ITO begin with. the Federal League
will not hold a meeting here on FRI
day." he said. IT expect Mr.. sinclair 10
he here some time tomorrow. and 1t IS
possible that Mr.. Gwinner will be in the
city. There Is no assurance that Gwin-
ner will be here. however.
But of Mr.. Gwinner does come. does
that mean that a meeting will he held?'
he was asked.
Most assuredly not" said Gilmore.
The Federal League held its meeting
and there Is no necessity Of its meet
ing again. We are we'll satisfied with
the existing conditions, and we will
continue on along the even tenor OF
our ways. We have developed NUMBER
of high grade ball players In our league
we are building every day, and we Will
supply a commodity which the falr
minded fans of this country demand
namely, a superior brand Of baseball. a'
do you intend to meet Ban Jahnson
before the American League neetsE
was the next query. That question
might better have been left unaskeo
in the interest of peace and harmony
II had much the same effect as touch'
ing a spark to gunpowder. or waving
a scarlet flag at an irate bull.
mo" snorted Gilmore. mo. / won
meet Johnson. I don't want to mee'
him. don't want to have anything
to do with him. I hold Ban Johnson re-
sponsible for the present state or ar
fairs in baseball. I went to him before
tho Federal League started and stated
our position. I told him that it was
our purpose to honor all contracts. anc
to play the game on the square.
did he do It? No. he didn't. HI
agreed with me. said my plan was al
riRht. and that the contracts woulc
not be violated Three days later hi
showed his colors by stealing three Of
our ball players. That meant war. and
war It is. and war 1t shall be while
James A. Gilmore is identified with the
Federal League Of professional base
ball clubs.
IT went to him in the beginning.
boid him what we intended to do. lie
smiled and shook hands. and then die
what he said he would not do. Or
ranixed baseball has come to me since
that time. and organized baseball will
come again.
I'VE realize that the present conGi
tions are ruinous to the great game g
baseball. believe that the fans wan
to see the game OF baseball plavsd ol
tho. field and not on the circuit Of tn
courts OF the country. I believe tina
the fans do not want to be bothere'
whether John Jones or Henry Smttl
lost 90 cents or 40 in baseball. The
want the game, and it matters not t
them the name OF the league that play
tha game. They want 1t. and they wan
the best available. 1t Is a question o
the law of supply and demand. Ther
Is the demand. 1t is our purpose I
supply the desired brand of baseball
and get the patronage.
II am greatly interested in the state
nents Of some who pose as oracles an
declare that we are blntfing In thi
New York project" continued Gilmore
I'VE will build our park according t
plans, and we will spend our money
real MONEY in the venture. Moreover
we will put a real ball team in thi
city. -
No" said Gilmore. rehectively. w
will not go to Mahomet. We are tn
mountain in this case. and Mahome
will have to come to us. How much
will avail Mahomet only future event
will determine. Not overmuch. sholl
say. - a. ~
law aggressively, I'VE never sough
neece All we ever wanted was
promise to respect contracts and De al
lowed to run along at orr own Sai'
IL we were doomed to fail. organize
baseball might have sat tight AND le
ms go, It was our money to be ourne
up. But they started all the war an
when they point out how We nav
failed they neglect to tell or their oW
losses IL wrack and ruin mas spTea,
II was their voice that promoted al IN
war cries and their madhess 'ha' mn
died the brand