New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-24
Independents May Invade
New England, Middle
West and South.
SCOUTS REPORT A
PROMISING OUTLOOK
Hugh A. McKinnOn Now Sizing
Up Conditions in the Larger
Eastern Cities.

Minor leagues in New England the
South and Middle West. are promised
the Federal League by official agents
Of the independents and volunteers
who have been active during the last
week According to an announcement
r'ade yesterday IN the Eastern office
Of the Federal League, one OF the
results of the activity in the minor
field may be the establishment Of a
new circuit in New England that will
invade the New England League and
Eastern Association, furnishing oppo-
sition in the larger cities of the exist
ing circuits.
Hugh A. McKinnon, Federal
League representative, who has been
at work in several of the strongholds
of the Eastern Association, is now
studying conditions in the cities OF
Lynn, Lowell, Lawrence and Worces-
ter. Mass. and Manchester. y. H.,
cities which are or have been repre-
scented in the New England League.
II has long been the idea OF base
ball fans in Hartford, Springfield
New Haven and Bridgeport that the
Eastern Association of the original
Connecticut League did not provide a
setting in keeping with the ambitions
and resources Of these thriving cities.
The same conditions have prevailed
in the New England League. Worces-
ter, the largest city in the circuit, IS
the third largest in New England,
being surpassed in population only by
Boston and Providence. In the old
Eastern League that preceded the In
tcrnational. Worcester was paired with
i. 81, of a
/ circuit Worcester was once a strong
hold Of the National League.
Hartford was enrolled as a charter
member of the National League. and
before being coaxed into Class B sur
roundings had fling IN the Eastern
League.
Because Of the excellent railroad
facilities it would be possible to get
eight of the best cities in New Eng
land grouped for practical results. In
stead of being held back by large ex
J penditures in travelling, the promoters
could provide baseball of a grade sew
eral degrees faster than any OF the
cities has experienced since they rep
resented "big time" in the national
sport under promising conditions.
AS matter of civic pride there has
been exceptional interest in the new
minor circuit show in several OF the
cities visited by Mr.. McKinnon.
One Of the chief points noted By Rob
ert Ward. vice-p president of the Fed
eral League, in his visit TO Chicago, was
the sudden increase in minor league
sentiment favoring the Federals. Out
side of the court case this interested
the Brooklyn Federal League club own
er more than any Of the incidents il
connection with the gathering Of base
/ ball powers.
What had appeared az one OF oul
greatest problems of establishing
minor leagues has reached point II
+ its solution where we are now careful
~ choosing" said Mr.. Ward. The dan
ger of being overloaded with players
has passed, and because Of the open
ings for use Of our surplus talent j
will be possible 70 concentrate OF
bringing the brand of baseball in thu
Federal League this season up 20 th'
highest possible point Of efficiency.
"The minor leagues are assured o
splendid talent, too. Whether we have
many minor leagues or none, not :
player who has a contract with us viii
'ose anything" declared Mr.. Ward
"The Federal League is fixture II
baseball"