Omaha daily bee., 1915-01-04
WARD TELLS OF PEACE DEAL
Three Propositions Made to Buy
New York American League Club.
NOTHING BUT WAR AHEAD NOW
Independent Organization n Perma-
nent One In Base Bali ~ Elk
pensive, Declares Dia-
mOnd MaRnate.

NEW YORK, Jan. 2-President Robert
B. Ward of the Brooklyn Federals. who
In vice president OF the Federal league,
In n statement tonight made public some
OF the details of the fruitless peace nego-
tlations with Organised Base Ball early
In the winter. First peace overtures. he
said. came when Mike" CantIllon. owner
OF the Minneapolis American association
club, whose proposition was for the Fed
eral teams In the west to enter the Ameri-
can association and those in the east to
merge with the international league.
This suggestion was instantly turned
down by the Federals Ward said, and
Cantillon then brought into conference.
first in New York in October and later
several times in Chicago, Charles WEIGH.
man of the Chicago Federals and Chair-
man August Hermann OF the National
commission.
Three Propositions Made.
Ward said three distinct propositions
were made to him to buy the New York
Americans at the same time that weegh-
man was given an option to buy the Chi
cago Nationals. Ward said he was will
ing TO purchase the Yankees and weegh-
man the Cubs on condition that the Fed
erals be admitted as a major league.
There was little chance for peace at any
time. Ward said, but talk along that line
was widely circulated by Organized Base
Bail in order TO keep the minor leagues
quiet at the annual meeting OF the Ma.
tional Association of Minor Leagues in
November
several Meetings Held.
Regarding the ATTEMPT to arrange a
sale OF the Chicago club to Weeghman.
Ward said:
There were several meetings between
Messrs. Weeghman nnd Hermann in
Chicago and to aid in pacifying the minor
leagues eager to enlist with the Federals
there was spread broadcast story OF
iWeeghman's contemplated desertion of
the Federal league 10 become principal
stockholder in the Cubs. This bluff OF
breaking the Federal league quieted
the minors, but Charles w. Murphy
hoped forth and asserted himself in a
manner that left no doubt in the minds
OF the fans regarding the system. which
has prevailed in Organized Base ball.
THE Federal league is a permanent
institution In base ball. It may be con-
sidered expensive. but we will continue
to build on a foundation of straight
forward dealing with the public and
harmony among the club owners. Be
cause It Is so unlike the organized bare
ball system. some men cannot under
stand why we can hope to succeed. The
public seems eager for the change, II |
may Judge from the comments in recent
weeks"
johnson Denies IL.
Ban Johnson, president Of the Amer
lean league, tonight denied Wards state
ment that he had three propositions To
buy the Yankees
"A suggestion was made to me to per.
NIT Ward TO buy the Yankees. but
quickly said nothing doing" johnson
said. Everybody knows my stand or
the Federal league situation. From first
TO last took the stand that no Fedora
Lacquer could come into the American
league. said then that II the National
league intended to permit the Federal tc
buy several OF their clubs. 1t was theii