Omaha daily bee., 1916-10-01
WESTERN LEAGUE
MEETS AT LINCOLN
Transfer Of Topeka and WITCH.
ita Franchises Due to
Come Before Board.
WILL ELECT PRESIDENT

When the Western league moguls
assemble at Lincoln Tuesday in an
swer to a call from President Frank
c. Zehrung for a meeting of the
league, some exciting bits of juicy
news are expected to break, and un-
less the dope sheet fails to run true
to form the first sound of the antici-
pated Western league upheaval is due
to be heard.
A general dissatisfaction with the
two Kansas cities has prevailed
throughout the loop for the last two
years. Neither Wichita nor Topeka
have been worth their salt since they
have been in the league. Wichita
at the start Of the year always be-
comes exuberant and enthusiasm sati-
ates the town. The attendance at the
FIRST game is always large, equalling,
generally, any city in the league, and
the first series or two generally draws
good. Then the team kicks away one
game and the anvil chorus gets away
to a flying start. 1t never ceases.
As result business gets poorer and
poorer until after the first of August
the games don't draw flies.
Topeka Too Small.
Topeka, of course, is smaller than
Wichita. 1t isn't big enough for the
Western league. John Savage, the
Topeka owner, is a good base ball
man and he's popular everywhere,
but he can't pull EN- out in Topeka.
The league would like to find a good
town for Savage, because he's
mighty good base ball man and
square one, too.
Before the 1916 season came to
close the Wichita franchise holders
threw up the sponge and the league
took over the franchise. The team
played its concluding games in Colo
rado Springs. Some OF the owners,
including Pa Rourke Of Omaha, be-
iieve it would be wise move to
put team in the Springs. They
haven't had any base ball out there
for decade and the prevailing be-
lief Is that a team could enjoy at
least two good seasons out there.
Even two seasons would be better
than continuing in Wichita.
Kay See In Field.
Kansas City, Kan, is a prospect
for the Topeka franchise. Kansas
City, Kan, is getting to be quite a
city. No longer is it dependent on
Kansas City, Mo. Business men on
the Kansas side would like to have a
Western league club in their city and
have assured Western league mag
mates that they would lend their
hearty support to a club there.
lack Holland OF St. Joseph Is the
Sid booster for Kansas City. He says
the permission Of George .Tebeau,
who controls the territory by .vir-
tue OF his franchise in the American
association, will give his consent to
the installation OF club on the Kan
sas side. Holland declares he has
made investigation Of Kay See con-
ditions and insists that q club in that
town would be one Of the most sue
cessful in the loop.
So it would not be surprise to
learn that Wichita and Topeka will
not be with US when the 1917 season
rolls around.
Elect President.
Another matter that is due to come
do at the meeting Tuesday Is the
election OF president for the ap.
preaching year. Zehrung's term Of
Office expires.
Rumors that Zehrung was slated
to go have been persistent the last
two months Where they come from
Is unkonwn, but they do continue,
And this despite single expression
from magnate that there has been
any dissatisfaction with the Lincoln
mans reign.