Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-17
TRUCE W|THFEDS 4
NOT LIKELY SOON
American League Is Opposed
to Compromise With Gill;
more League.
DREYFUSS AND EBBETS
ALSO BALK AT ANY DEAL
Impression That New Organization
Is Beaten Held by Ban Johnson
and Associates.

NEW YORK, October TO-
The general sentiment of or
gained base ball men is against
peace negotiations with the Fed
eral League. Ban Johnson and
his American League colleagues
stand as one against any form of
compromise with the independ-
ents.
1t is true that Johnson and Col.
Jacob Rupert of the New York
Americans met a delegation OF
Federal Leaguers in Philadelphia
last week, but not with the least
amicable intention. Johnson in
sisted that James A. Gilmore,
president of the outlaw circuit,
should not be among those pres
ent at the informal powwow.
Ban Johnson's Def.
"The American League never Will
consent to meet the Federal League on
equal terms" Johnson told the indie
pendent representatives. according to
the assertions of an American League
stockholder who was present.
"The American League is strong
enough to stand on its own feet. indie
pendent Of any one. II need be-" he con-
tinued. THE public. by its cold recep-
ton of the independent cause. has
proved our contention that there was
neither room nor demand for third
major circuit. Neither will the Ameri-
can League countenance any expansion
of its operations. A ten-club circuit
would be impractical. A twelve club
circuit is too unwieldly. as has been
proved in the past.
THE American League is content to
mind its own affairs. The National
League has every right to shape its
own destiny. The American League
never has tried to dictate who should
operate National League clubs. II the
National League should countenance
any merger with the Federal by selling
ators that, too, would be its own affair.
The American League never has and
never will try to bargain with the en-
envy. 1t interposed no objection when
certain National League interests tried
to dispose of the Chicago Cubs to
Charles Weeghman of the Chicago Fed
eral club But my colleagues are quite
positive in their sentiments They VIII
not harbor in their ranks any of the
opposition which, willfully or not. has
IN
Fraternal Influence Factor.
That conference in Philadelphia.
which had been interpreted at first as
the first general indication of peace
move, was arranged by a certain ele-
ment of the National League which
favors a speedy ending of the base ball
war. On excellent authority it has
been learned that the peace propaganda
was launched through fraternal in
auences Many of the leading powers
Of both organized and independent base
ball are brother Elks of high standing.
President John K. Tener of the Ma
tional League, Chairman August Herr
mann of the national commission and
Pat Powers of the Newark Federals
are all past grand exalted rulers of the
B. P. o. E.
4 dignified peace. 1t was he who tried
to engineer the deal that might have
given the Cubs to Weeghman. Herr
mann has won over to his ways OF
quite National League fol-
lowing. William F. Baker and James
E. Gaffney now champion the idea of a
merger, it is said Gaffney, it will be
took the trouble to show
he federal general staff his new park
before it was opened formally. Accord
70 he I'd of ct
nore' ring Gaffney is to receive a
preference in the awarding of the con-
:ract for the proposed new Federal
league plant in New York.
league is as strongly opposed to all
dea of compromise. This is headed by
Charles H. Ebbets. Barney Dreyfuss and
Harry N. Hampstead.
Il would dynamite Forbes Field and
ret out of the game before l would sell
nv Pittsburgh interests to any Federal
league promoter" says Barney Drey-
uss Ebbets is every bit as emphatic
n the expression of his loyalty to the
cause.
UP to National League.
Therefore. if peace ensues in the near
uture it is quite likely to result from
hat portion of the National League
Tub owners whose sympathies have
els At most there are no more than
our great financial powers behind the
outlaws. according to gossip Ward
,rothers, Harry Sinclair, Ed Gwinner
nd the Stifel-Ball interests of st.
.ouis. These might be accommodated
With National League franchises. Cos
ip has it that Cincinnati, Chicago and
t. Louis clubs are on the market. Fur
her, it is insinuated that James e.
;affney would consent to dispose of
alf interest in the Braves.
A merger between the National and
'ederal leagues by allowing the finan-
ial powers of the latter to become in
crested operators of the former seems
ust now the only chance for a speedy
nding to the base ball war. Ban john
on is still the dominating power of the
.merican League and Ban Johnson in
is heart of hearts believes he has the
Independents whipped. He will bend
one from his antagonistic attitude.
tut he will not oppose a merger of
ne National and Federal interests. For
4 that case the rival National League
yould have to shoulder all the re-
and Inconvenience Of re-