The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-03-23
DIFFICULT JOB
Is the Absorption OF Federal Ball
Players-NatlOnaI League
Clubs May Find
Friction.

Boston, MaSs,-AlthOuBn peace De-
tween the warning baseball factions
was officially declared with the death
Of the Federal League at New York
last December, and the consequent re-
ception of Weeghman and Ball into
the ranks of the major league mag
mates seemingly dispelled the last
cloud, dissension and disruption are
said to await the opening of the reg
ular playing season. Before the cam
paign of 1916 is fairly under way, trou-
BILE threatens to kill the aspirations OF
more than one candidate for the pen
nant in both leagues.
The Federal League is dead but not
forgotten. If any one has any doubt
that the issues are entirely alive, just
let him listen to the mutterings that
are emanating from every big league
camp
Strange to say, these mutterings
come not from those who jumped to
the Feds and have lately been re-
stored to good standing in the game,
but rather from those who remained
true to organized ball, and now feel
that they are literally made "the fall
guys" Had organized baseball held
true to It's promise, that the bars
would be kept up against the players
who listened to the lure of the big
coin, the white dove of peace served so
lavishly at the Waldorf banquet might
have come to stay.
Seldom indeed has team which has
been split by international dissension
ever been able to win a pennant. And
from the disrupted conditions that are
said to exist in no less than nine of
the big league teams this spring, it
can readily be seen that it will take
all the diplomacy of magnates and
manager to bring out the best that
there is in their players.
When the Federal League threw
down the gauntlet, went out after or
ganized baseball's biggest stars and
caused men like Lee Magee, Hal Chase
Seton, Hendrix and a host of others
TO forego their contracts and cast their
fortunes with the invaders, those who
remained faithful were congratulated
for their loyalty and given assurances
that they would be the gamers in the
end.
"The outlaws cant last" these play
ers were told. "The day of reckoning
will come. the jumpers will be cast out
of baseball and you who have stood by
the colors will reap the reward" True
TO prediction, the Federal League had
to give up the ghost, but IL is the only
part of the prophecy that was verified.
The big money getters, with two and
three year contracts still in their pos
session, are back again the fold, play
ing for much larger salaries than the
majority of those who remained with
the old leagues receive. Is 1t not
strange that the faithful are lament
ing their loyalty, or that strained re-
lations are whispered about.
Most of the prodigals have found the
fatted calf steamlng hot in the va
rious clubs of the National League. II
is there that the full will come, unless
some superhuman system of mixing
oil and water can be devised.
The Boston Braves. admittedly
strong oontenders for this years
bunting, have thrown wide the doors
for Konetchy. Allen and Knetzer, the
former a jumper from the Pirates. An
other so-oalled star of the Federal
League brand is said TO be likely to
wear the Braves uniform this year,
The Giants have purchased the mod
est Benny Kauff. who has no idea that
he can play ball. or that the decision
OF pennants, the fashion in hats. the
settlement of the war or the speed Of
the planets depend upon him Rousch
Is another Fed that McGraw has gath
cred In. and there is also Bill Rariden
who jumped from the Braves. Pat Mo-
ran. head Of the National League
champions, has threatened harmony in
his club BY signing ~ Chief Bender.