The Washington times., 1915-05-10

While It is gall for the different Of
hcials to make the admission. the fact
cannot be denied that thousands and
hundreds OF thousands OF dollars have
been lost as a result or the insurrec-
ton BY this is not meant that the
Federals have reaped any particularly
rich financial harvest. put by their ac-
ton In alternating the players they nave
induced to fiop from the told, they have
distra cted the attention Of the public
from the playing fields to judicial tri-
bunals. This has served to force to
the front the mercenary feature of the
game. The result has been the shrink
age of patronage; vast sections or un-
occupied seats in the modern plants
ence OF those who formerly religiousiy
attended.
The principal feature that is initiating
against immediate cessation OF the tur-
organiza tons pride tends to make prog
ress slow. but as present conditions
leave the two sides linked in useless
and costly contest. even the most pig
headed are being converted to the idea
of reaching some sort OF mutual
agreement. The general impression for
while was that the National Com
mission could stay the trouble BY with
drawing the props OF the Feds BY al
lowing the strongest financial 1ndlVlo-
chase interests in some OF the clubs OF
the two major leagues.
This has not proven as easy to do as
was expected, as Weeghman and the
Wards have assumed stubborn fronts,
declaring that there Is to be no surren-
der. but that the end OF Tie war must
be brought about by terms which the
Feds will dictate.
All these foregoing statements are
based on the declarations Of one who
knows but who desires his name with
held for political reasons. However
they may be accepted as well defining
the situation as it now exists.
Place Is Necessary.
With half Of the world entangled in
the most titanic conflasration since
the birth Of man. a national financial
depression and baseball feeling the re-
suits OF both as well as its own inside
war. peace Is utterly necessary for the
continuance Of the game on It's proper
plane. The Feds are so determined
that 1t now appears that, with the or; or,
ganization ready to talk peace, 1t will
be the inde ependents who will most like
ly dictate the terms.
To Washington the probable return Of
Frank Baker to Philadelphia is even
more Interesting than the ending of the
Athletics would once more loom up as
most dangerous contenders, while they
are Just now simply floundering around
rudderless with no one available to
satisfy either from a defensive or Of
fensive viewpoint in Bakers stead.
i he following special from Philadel-
phia tells the status of the Baker case:
Frank Baker. the Athletics hard-hit-
ting third baseman, has agreed to play
with the American League champions
again this year under certain conditions.
He had brief conference with Man
ager Connie Mack as the team left for
the West, and agreed to help pull the
athletics out of the ruck. provided his
present contract. which Is for three
years, Is destroyed. Before an agree
ment could be reached the train pulled
out
According to Bakers account OF the
matter Mack did not accept his propo-
sition with any great display of en-
thusiasm. On the contrary he said that
Baker had not lived up to his contract
At this point the train started, ana for
the present, at least, Baker VIII remain
with the Upland team.
Baker explains why he signed the
three-year contract as follows; He says
he desired to retire from big league
baseball at the close OF last season. and
told Mack so In January, 1914. He said
that Mr.. Mack was satisfed with the
ARRANGEMENT, and in order to sausfN
Connie that he would not play with the
Federal League, he signed the contract
Baker adds that Mack knew that he
was not going to play this year.
Has Mack's Consent.
Baker desires to bring out this point
so that he NAV not he accused of break