Evening star., 1915-01-11

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, January 11.-Admitting
! for the sake of an argument-thoush II
/ the chance of success for the feos
seems quite improbable-that de-
cision should be handed down declar-
| ing that the present system Tor the
| control of base ball is Illegal Vold
| and several other things as asked ior
| by the Feds, what will happen 10
base ball then? Up to date the feos
have made only charges against the
system. They have given no mint DIS
| to the remedy they would ofter 10
better the existing conditions. ana Ger
tainly they intend that the game Is
| to go on Otherwise, they would not
be making such a fight for recognition. II.
The answer of the Feds undoubtedly
will be that the game should unuelSo
! a reorganization, one of the features
| to be three major leagues, an Oh M a,i
equal basis and all enjoying the sdHie
privileges. Theoretically that SOUNDS
| fine hut how is il to be brought ABOUT
and perpetuated: BY the simple sys-
TEN of a governing BODY with power
sport and with minor leagues fufniSh.
ing talent to higher class leagues, JUST
as is done now. In other Wofds, tne
sport would be run exactly as u ~
now, except that the Federal league
would occupy a position similar TO
the positions now held by the National
and American Leagues. ~
IF the present system is illegal the
placing of the Feds on the same oasis
as the two major leagues and con-
Quoting the sport in the same manner
would still be illegal. The pfS>"ic"
of the Feds would in no way ai'ri "a"
J conditions from i legal standpoii'l
And no one will offer the contention
LoI te nnar3ted
under a governing body or court OF
last resort, like the national commits
sion, with full power to adopt ruies
for the conduct of the game. Every
sport that is likewise such big Dusl-
ness is more in need of supervision
than other pastimes like tennis, golf,
track and field athletics. etc.
With the Feds established on the
same basis as the two major leagues
what an easy matter it would be for
other promoters to step i'll, use the
argument that the entire system OF
self government had been proved IL
legal and grab off the star players 1or
a fourth major league. Then perhaps
another reorganization and a return
to the old conditions. There would pe
nothing to prevent it. To be consistent
the Feds must admit that base ball
cannot be conducted on its present
large lines without a governing body
and a working agreement that AFFORDS
is willing to invest his money In the
game.
If they have evolved substitute for
the system they have yet to make 1t
known. The charge that organized base
ball is a monopoly, which operates in
restraint against persons now ldent1-
fed with the Federal League. Will carry
little weight. AS regards players,
those now in the Federal League are
divided into two classes, and only two,
| those who jumped out of organized
base ball, and those who never played
under the system. Certainly those who
were in and jumped out have no valid
argument that they are victims OF dis
elimination. If organized ball repre-
sents a condition worth a fight to en-
joy why did they ever get out? AS for
! the players who were free agents when
they Joined the Feds, the doors OF or
ganized ball are wide open at any time
that their contractual obligations with
the Feds are completed. They have the
same status as the college player or
semi-professional. who never bound
himself to any club by contract.
Charges that outsiders cannot get
into organized BALI is another state
ment that will not hold up. In the
American League two clubs have been
sold within the past two years to per-