Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-01-06
CENTRAL ASSOCIATION GATHER.
ING TO BE OF UNUSUAL I'M.
PoRTANcE.
ATTACK ON -four MEN,
RULE is IN PROSPECT
Eighth Member of Association to Be
( Chosen, With Mason City and Gales
burg After Berth-AnnuaI Election OF
Officers Likely to Result in Some
Competition-To Arrange Schedule.

AS the time approaches Cor the an
nual meeting of the Central Baseball
Association. which will be held one
week from today, Jan. 10, at Waterloo,
1t becomes more and more evident
that the gathering will be one of un-
usual Importance to the organization.
Few times in the history of the league
have there been so many matters OF
vital importance to come up for dls-
cussion and settlement, and the result
is awaited with interest not alone IN
the seven cities which hold franchises
in the association, but in Gaiespurg'
Mason City, and possibly other cities
which are concerned with the make up
of the circuit for the season of 1919.
Aside from the election OF ohlcers'
which in itself promises more than I'M
usual friction, there are two very I'M
oortant problems before the directors
the "four-men ruie' agreement and
che selection OF an eighth city TO COM
plete the league membership.
Salary Question Stumbling Block.
BACK OF il aii+even To .he selection
of the eighth member Of the league
g the old salary question which, de-
spite repeated argument at previous
gatherings of the directors, will again
be injected into the meetings and VIII
be made the basis Of the fight on every
question which will arise. The four
men" rule, which is likely 10 precipi-
cate the most trouble for the mag
mates, is an outgrowth Of an attempted
settlement Of the salary problem 1t
was adopted only after heated debates
and against the protests of some OF
the members, and long ago 1t was an
nounced that an effort would be made
to rescind the ruling at the Waterloo
meeting.
It is generally recognized that some
thing must be done to curb the ambl-
lions of some managers who lavish the
funds Of the clubs in purchase of play
ers and IN paying high salaries, but
at the same time It Is contended by
,everal directors that the rule is far
too drastic and can only result in
cheapening the grade of ball which the
Central association has offered its pa
irons and will eventually cause a de-
crease in gate receipts far greater than
the saving in salaries. That the rule
will be up for revision. or that an ef-
fort will be made to eliminate it en-
irely, is certain
Hayden Has Change Of Heart.
Some time ago Tom Hayden piloa
of the destinies of the Burlington club.
announced that he was going to the
Waterloo meeting for the sole purpose
of putting a quietus on the objection
able ruling, but this week dispatches
from Burlington are to the effect that
Hayden does not care whether the
rule sticks or not. He promises the
Burlington fans pennant- winning ag-
gregation in any event, and says it is
immaterial to him what stand the
others may take-all of which leads
to the surmise that Hayden has again
loaded up with ambitious youngsters
who play for their keep IN the hope
that they may find way to the big
leagues under Hayden's tutelage.
AS to the other members, X is known
that Waterloo is after the four men"
rule; IN fact, the Waterloo club init
mates that 1t viii have none Of it, no
matter what others may think or do. It
is we'll known that Waterloo does not
stint its manager when it comes to
hiring men Of championship caliber
altho the directors would have the out
side public think otherwise. Waterloo
ls expected to lead the fight against
the rule and is said to expect good
backing. Just how the other clubs will
line up is problematical, but Waterloo
will not be alone in the fight AS for
the Marshailtown club, the rule has
not proved q great handicap. but is
nevertheless, looked upon with disfa-
vor, as there are too many possibilities
in the restriction which may not a.,
this time be apparent.
Mason City After Berth.
The fight for membership in the
league is far more important than ma,
appear to those who have not closely
followed the politics OF the associa ton
Galesburg, playing under the Ottumws
franchise last season, desires to be ad
mitted to permanent membership bu
It's showing in 1914 was not such a.
70 warrant the support of the leagu'
members. Mason City, which ha
sional teams for several years, is ais.
asking for admission. At the presen
time there are no other active contend
ers for the berth.
That Mason City would prove tn
best bet for the associat ton Is beyon,
question, but the admission Of tina
city would throw the balance Of poWe
in the league to the north end of tn
circuit, q condition long feared b
southern cities, and certainly to b
opposed e. th!s time. The adm!ssio,
OF Mason City presents a probler
which may cause the directors muc
thought before taking final action fol
az has been suggested by at least on
sports writer. 1t may result possibl
next year or in two years or som
time In the near future, in the forma
ton Of two leagues, one in souther
Iowa, in concert with Illinois town
and one in northern Iowa, with Mime
sofa towns. This. of course, is purel
speculative, but is not beyond reason
considering the fact that the souther
cities have long held the reigns {
- government, and desire 10 continue I
% %.
Prepared to Wage Fight.
e Word from Mason City is to the e.
feet that the fans are prepared to figf
for . place, and to this end will sen
q large delegation to Waterloo 10 ioo
AFTER their interests. Galesburg wi
ajDo be we'll represented and will a
4smpt to show why they failed la
soason and how they expect to keep
the race this year.
Naturally Mason City is favort
locally, not because of any desire
80 : transfer Of the balance Of powe