The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-12
INTERNATIONAL CAN
INVADE THE BRONX
Barney reyfuss, President of Psbura National Saws Bar
tow Can Place Team in Borough Despite Opposi
ton Of New York Giants President

New York. Feb. l1.--Barney Drey-
fuss. president OF the Pittsburz Ma
rtonal League club. and one of the
shrewdest students of Law to be found
among the magnates. declared today
that the international League might
place team in the Bronx in spite
of the opposition of Harry n, Hemp
stead.
"If I were president OF the Inter-
national League and wished to es-
tablish my business in the Bronx
nobody would keep me out" is the
way Barney put il,
ITO begin with" he resumed. Mfr.
Barrow MA te mistake in the method
by which he sought his end. He
should have appealed directly TO the
National Commission, and not TO the
National League. His ease--so fas as
basel ball law is concerned--is govern
ed by section of the national agree
ment This specifically states that ma
jor league territory cannot be redis-
tributed without majority vote of
both the National and American cir
cult club owners.
"presuming that the American
League should be favorable to a trans
fer of the Jersey City club to the
Bronx. the president Of the Giants
would be powerless to block the plan
If five National League club owners
gave the word. 7 do not wish TO speak
officially, but I am sure that at least
four of my associates would cast no
obstacle in BarrowS way. Personally
believe the International League has
every right to operate beyond the Har-
lem If It Is willing to shoulder the
risk
Does Not Want Monopoly.
al operate q National League club
in Pittshurg. But my franchise never
has and never will, give rue monop-
oily of that territory. I could not
through process of law, restrain any
body from attempting rival promo
ton. am protected from possible
opposition on the part Of organized
baseball simply because OF the national
agreement which. after all, Is moth
ing but n code of principles.
= NO Law court can or will presume
TO declare any divine right for or
ganized baseball. and organized base
ball expects no such concession, II
the International League feels that it's
life depends upon an invasion of the
Bronx, then / say the international
Leageu should go into that territory
II it had TO do so against the wishes
OF the major leagues. There is no
reason why IaFFoW y ClTCuit shoulu
should suffer the full brunt of the
Federal attack.
II do not believe the National or
American Leagues would try to balk
Barrow on the proposition of an in
vasion of the Bronx, l do not think
under the circumstances Ed put the
matter fairly to the National League.
Intentionally or unintentionally the
buck was passed to the National
League. A petition of relief was ad-
dressed to us after the American
League had concluded its meeting. 1t
was surely as much of an American
as "A National League affair.
shoulders Responsibility.
Il stand ready to shoulder great
deal of the responsibility for the fact
that Barrow's proposition did not come
TO vote in the National League meet
ing. I counselled delay. believe that
this is no time for organized ball to
commit itself upon such matters. Orr
ganized baseball, IL appears to me, is
Judge Lands before attempting ter
the verdict OF the case Is published
there may be absolutely no occasion
for retrenchement. I am firmly con-
WINGED OF the Justice Of organized
baseball. 1t was my absolute faith
In the integrity of the game that
prompted me to move for delay"
Barney Dreyfuss announced today
that he had sold two players, but re-
fused either to disclose their names
or the clubs to which they were des.