The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-13

cerned in policies Of economy than IN
any propaganda for peace. II tho as
sertion Of August Hermann. chairman
Of the National Commission. Is 20 DC
weighed at full measure. Mr.. Herr
mann. who is president OF the Cincin-
natl National League club. arrived yes
terday at the Waldorf Astoria to discuss
informally certain proposed reforms be-
fore the annual meeting tomorrow OF
tho Tener circuit.
There was a time not so many months
ago." said MIR. Hermann. when GER
tain club owners Of the National League
would have favored a plan to dispose OF
certain franchises to the financial powers
Of the Independent promoters. That
time, l think, has passed. The Federal
eaeue is no now the menace that II
was.
The Federal Is a one man league
Mr.. Hermann continued. There ID nc
doubt that Harry F. Sinclair Is . rich
a very, very rich-man. He has MADE
millions In the last few months. Nc
one Is undertaking his wealth MOI his
gameness. Perhaps he could carry the
whole league II so inclined. But maj
is hardly probable. In the late Robert
-. Ward the Federal League has lost a
great asset in the fight from both the
moral and financial sides.
In Fed Contracts Too.
'srhe Federal League has realized It
-l .,a.t sarIopa rntatakA III Ura9
very wrong in the point OF law 1t tried
10 establish In its suit against organized
baseball now being considered by Judge
Lands of Chicago against the opera
lions Of the reserve clause II the ten
days option clause In organized base
balls contracts. Those very principles
are Incorporated In the Federal League
contracts too.
Now the suit before Judge lands
has become a dead issue to a degree.
Hermann continued. A decision TOT
either side would be neither a moral VIC
tory nor a moral defeat. II would be
an easy matter indeed to organize right
over again on kindred principles that
would comply with he law.
II am not a man Of war. l am not
antaRonistic to Federal League opera.
tons SO long as they are confined to
right and craftsmanship. Nor would
I opposs II ! could. the sale OF a major
league franchise to a Federal League op-
orator. In this matter ! may not reflect
the views of Ban johnson.
81 am OF the opinion that so long as
the baseball wal continues the game
cannot possibly be benefited, and l am
for the game before all else. ! think. too,
the Federal League Is far more worried
than we are. They certainly have done
the two major leagues all the harm they
possibly can do. There will be no more
jumping on the part of our stars. Tho
independents. by arbitrarily breaking So
called ironclad contracts WITH such men
40 Chief Bender and Russell Ford,
pricked the bubbles Of illusion that had
attracted wouid-be contract violatorA
Tired OF big Salaries.
Y have met certain Fedora League
men from time to time this season. In
fact I have known Harry Sinclair for
many years. ] am betray!ng no con-
fidences when I say hat the Federal
League is quite tired OF saddlin4 itself
with a lot OF contracts at double the
salary figures the holders should get
James A, Gilmore himself has exploited
that doctrine more than once. That
IS one circumstance that prompts mo to
say tina the Federal league Is not &C
menaciug as IL appeared a year ago.
"And that brings in the most interest
ing point OF reform. Baseball in the
most prosperous days was at best a very
grave business risk. A man OF wealth
may realize 3 or . per cent. in municipal
bonds. Baseball with its cares anc
worries never averaged that. In twelve
years the Cincinnati club earned 81 pei
cent. of its original investment. There
has been no dividend for four or NV
years.
"Since this last baseball war started
tho players have been getting all m
money. The Federal League realizei
that. The players have realized II ant
they are beginning to fear they hav'
killed the goose OF the golden eggs. TIL
cost OF operation along last year.
standards was so great that none bu
prominent pennant ~contenders had I
chance to make ends meet.
"Much has been said OF the great pro
lection Afforded pla yers by David Fultz'
fraternity. saw a story in which tn,
fraternity was credited with having col
iected some $4,000 for players OF IL
membership. THAT money would hav
been paid whether or not there had bee,
any fraternity. N was paid. In just sue
cases, year after year before the frater
nifty was organized.
Advocates Organization.
IT am an advocate Of organization
among the players. but I think II shout
be one OF mutual beneit--for the pro
lection OF the magnate as well a. Q
the employee. The clu presidents woul
be quite willing to incorporate a mutus
benefit scheme with the players VIII
talk in thousands as TO baseball revenue
Deducting Is per cent. which is but
fair rate in such a hazardous bushes
stand willing to sign my players I
contracts In which they will share a
profits over that figure provided they. l
return. guarantee to reimburse me froi
their generous salaries in case OF losse
on the season. Can you imagine
player signing such a contract as that
Mr.. Hermann In a strong advoca'
Of leaving well enough alone. He Is
champion of the twenty-one playt
roster limit. To It he attributes II
wonderful balance OF the Nations
League field in 1915.
"For ten years and more the M
tional League was a three club organizs
ton: Cubs. Giants and Pirates" sal
he. Conditions changed only with legi
lation which prevented these rich helt
from keeping idle OF the bench materiI
that might ave strengthened weak'
n poorer opponents. No n can con
pare Cincinnati to New York In veal
Of playing territory"
II would seem that Charles II. Ebbets
scheme for a later start than usual
bound to meet with disappointment. NJ
Hermann agrees with Harry y. Hem
stead that April is such an unsettl'
month that any delay would not assn
-rl a,.ntIar Ia o1So rOutA that