Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-01-21

| The award of Rock Island territory
to the Central Baseball Association by
, the special committee of the national
board OF arbitration, which heard the
claims OF the Central association and
! the Three-I league recently, has
created a sensation in minor league
/ baseball ranks, and may result in a
series of complications which may be
difficult of settlement, The decision
has caused a number of debatable
questions TO be asked over the circuit,
and affairs of the Iowa organization
are even more uncertain than prior
to the Burlington meeting. The more
important questions being asked over
the circuit today follow: --
Has President Justice promised the
Rock Island fans a team supported by
the Central association?
Did keokuk act in good faith in post
ing its 5000 guarantee at Burlington.
or was the money posted to save Jus
tice from defeat and to keep Fort
Dodge out of the league?
Does Justice contemplate nine
club league?
Is the finding of the special COM
miItee satisfactory TO the majority OF
the Central association clubs?
Will Rock Island support q Central
association club?
How Questions Are Answered.
Gathering Up such facts as have
been established. and basing judgment
on sentiment expressed by the press Of
rho follow
ing conclusions may be drawn:
President Justice was quoted as
hasing assured Rock Island fans that
the association would maintain team
in the Illinois city without expense to
the city. President Justice has denied
the truth OF this statement He has
no authority TO force any club from
membership in the league which has
posted its guarantee, and has no power
TO guarantee club in Rock Island at
league expense.
Mr.. Justice. on receipt Of the news
that Rock Island had been awarded
TO the Central association, expressed
the belief that a club would be main
tanned there II such is the case one
of the clubs, now member of the as
ISOLATION. must be cast adritt, If an
itdS Ir - ~ ~ NOi4ht4iA"
! Naturally tine directors of the league
! look to Keokuk as the club to retire.
! and the intimation of bad faith on the
more than fancy.
The Sporting News. in commenting
on the interesting situation in the Cen
trail association. speaks OF Mr.. Justice
and his novelty''-a nine club circuit.
-, iS a
possibility. but II Keokuk is acting in
good faith the association finds itself
with nine cities in the circuit and the
ninth must be occupied or surrendered.
meaning that one of the older members
must retire.
That the finding OF the special com
mittee is not wholly satisfactory to the
association is shown by press COM
ment at Burlington. 1t was believed
at the time Of the Burlington meeting
! that Marshalltnwn. Waterloo and
Mason City were strong for the ad-
mittance of Fort Dodge in preference
to Rock Island. From the tone of the
! Burlington comment it is TO be as
sumed that burlington. and possibly
| Muscatine. would favor the northern
city over the former Three-I town.
Will Rock Island BaIk?
! The last question is the one which
presents the greatest possibilities for
debate The fact is that Rock Island
? will make an effort to keep the Central
Association out. An association has
| been formed. directors and officers
elected and $4,000 raised for the MAIN
/ tanance of a ThreeI league club in
Rock Island. 1t was definitely stated
prior to the announcement of the find