The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-21

John l.. Bruce, secretary Of the Ma
tional Commission. Is OF the opinion that
the baseball war il bound to continue
OF course, like all champions OF the or
ganized cause. he believes the Federal
League is the side that will go under.
Bruce says there Is absolutely no dis
position on the part of any Of his Amer
lean League colleagues. from Ban John
son down. TO treat In any manner with
the independents. Further that a propa-
ganda with some sort Of amicable settle
ment as its object started by certain
club owners Of the National League is
fast losing avor n has been prac-
tically abandoned.
MIR. Bruce returned yesterday TO Gin
cinnati after spending several days in
seclusion in this city owing to impor-
tant business interests outside 81 base
ball. He said
There was a time when II might have
been possible for certain hackers of the
Federal League to buy into the major
leagues, though | do not think that at
any time they could have purchased any
interest In the American League. But
that time appears TO rave passed. The
reorganization of the Cincinnati club
has left August Hermann, its president.
in absolute command. and at the same
time has eliminated "A board OF directors
hose several conflicting policies always
proved "a handicap in the conduct or me
business MANAGEMENT. The Britton in
tcrcsts have decided to string along with
Miller Husg!ns and the -. Louis Car
diuals. Charles l.. Taft will not sell
he cubs at any prize near that which
- ia,. Moor, xpt1ltNr tn
pay
''rhe opinion seems to prevail gen.
orally in organized ball" Bruce
continued, that the Federals have
weakened their cause rather than
strengthened II by forfeitinG two OF the
eight franchises. This IL interpreted as
a sign OF grave weakness. The tax
OF an invasion OF Manhattan Is not even
yet taken seriously. In most quarters
il IL hoped that the independents do IN
wade New York. as the consequent eN-
pense will .c just so much the heavier,
The Feneral League has figured be-
yond one OF the fundamental principles
Of sport--sentiment, Sentiment ~ some
thing that cannot be purchased, GER
tainly that cannot be forced on an un-
willing public. The general public has
never warmed to the revolutionary
faction because It's invasion encroached
III III "a
~engendered through years OF nursing on
the part of the men OF organized base
ball who made the sport what It IS
There was no demand for a third mayor
league, in other words. No one can force
on the public that for which it does not
care. no matter Ia power
there may be behind the movement"
Secretary Bruce OF the commission
declares that baseball II as popular TO-
day as ever. II not more popular, lie
makes this assertion In spite of the fact
that 1915 was a lean season in baseball
generally.
There was absolutely no abatement
OF fervor,' he said. THAT WAS very
plain. There was moro interest In base
ball around Cincinnati than ever before
| am on the park commission there and
in n position 10 know. Each Saturday
and Sunday we would issue permits for
the use Of public diamonds we never
issued less tina 100. and nave issued as
high as $50 for a single DAY. When q
city the size of Cincinnati boasts l''
amateur teams you can readily under
stand that the interest In baseball is very
much alive. More amateur, independ'
ent and semi-pro baseball was played
last season than ever before.
MANY causes combined against th'
business of professional baseball. To
begin with the weather was the mos
unsatisfactory OF my recollection. Their
was a general business depression OWNS
10 the European war. The country had
not begun to recover from this until th'
season was practically hnlshed' scar
city Of ready money for amusement com
blned with bad weather I believe thu
two principal drawbacks OF 1919"
John T.. Bruce Is "A minority stock
holder OF the 81. Louis American Leagi'
club. lie denied most ~emphaticall,
that there had been any disposition Il
sell the Browns to Phil Ball or the st
Louis Fedcrals.
ST know positively that the Browns
are not for sale" said he, "for ] hav'
been trying for n long time 10 have co
Robert l.. Hedges set IA price on hi
stock. Any time tho Browns are TO
sale your Uncle John will snap the OPP
%portunity. There IL a good commission
for any one who can induce Col. Hedges
TO sell me his stock. Now what chance
has any outsider
The openlng of the American Sport
ing Club, which holds sway at Sulzer'!
Harlem River Park. l26th street an,
Second avenue, Tuesday night. promise
n heavyweight battle well worth seeing
Sam Langford and Sam McNey. two %
the foremost negro pugillsts, Will fur
nish the windup.
Langford and McVey have Tough
many times and generally acquitted
themselves well. They have had to hgh
each other a lot. for few heavyweight
either white or colored would nave any
thlng to do with either man. Jacl
Johnson when he was champion con
sidered this pair too tough. lie wouldn'
risk his title with them.
Jess willard as o as he tore TN
/, crown from Johnson's brows drew tn
-. ,i,a V,hnra 40 iittla lik nlihnn1 tbo