The Washington times., 1916-01-02

NEW YORK, Jan. 2.--'rhe lean years
OF baseball are over. The war which
shook the entire structure of the
sport from turret to foundation stone
has been settled. and prosperity seems
destined to follow the flag of peace.
The game will be played on the dla-
mond instead Of in the court rooms;
the players rather than the lawyers
will do the batting, and the fans.
a-wtGry of the pickering and legal
procedure OF the last two or thres
years will find the change delight
fully refreshing.
Under the terms Of the treaty of
Cincinnati, by which the belligerents
who are affiliated with the Federal
League will receive a Gle an bill Of
health. and will be eligible to play
with clubs and leagues operating un-
der the national agreement.
This will result in an influx of the
star talent from the Feds, and at this
time 1t Is impossible to make any
adequate forecast OF what the season
will bring fOrtu. 1t is safe to veI;-
ture' however. that the new blood and
which is so sadly needed.
There are those managers who stout
ly declare they will not employ men
these warlike utterances are more of
the heated brain than of the heart.
There are few teams in the National
League which, are strong enough to
warrant their owners refusal to add a
real star to the roster. The American
cline chance to add strength where
strength is needed. And in passing, It
may be said that strength is needed
in Washington. New York, st. Louis,
philadelphia and Cleveland.
Stars of the brilliance of Benny
IKauff. who has won the title of "Ty
Cobb of the Federal League" Fred
Falkenberg, Rousch. Tobin, George
Anderson. Flack, Lee Magee, Dave
need have no cause for worry. A
berth with a major league team seems
assured to them.
Tom seaton, who stepped into the
Federals and cut a wide sWath, will
undoubtedly be q visitor at the Polo
Grounds next summer, but what his
affiliation will be and what the affilia-
tions OF the others will be time alone
will discover 1t is more than likely.
however, that many of the best of the
Federais will find employment in the
National LeaSue.
The downfall Of the GIANTS, which
was as much the sensation OF the Ma
NlOudl League as the rise OF the Pnil-
lies, has been the cause OF much talk
and wonderment. The fans may be as
sured OF this. John J. McGTaW is not
the man to cry over the past Already
he is planning for the future, and has
trades in view which viii add power to
his team. II is known that he wants
Benny Kauff. and next summer may
find that fiery youngster wrecking the
Polo Ground fences. McGrRw also is
after pitchers and a young catcher
with experience.
The Braves will be more powerful
this year, Johnny Evers may not be
out Of the game so long, and Bill James
has sent assurances that his arm is re-
spending to treatment, and that he will
be back. With those men In the line-up.
the Braves may fear none.
Jimmy Callahan. who for years gud-
ed the destinies of the Chicago White
Sox until replaced by Clarence Row
land. will return to the major league
as director OF the Pirates. II there is
one man above another who can lift
the Pirates out OF the depths. IL Is CAL
lahan. He knows the game from eV-
ere angle. and is the type OF leader TO
develop men,
The American League, which was so
top-heavy last season as TO rob the
pennant race Of interest early In the
year, Ia equally top-heaVv this year.
Roston. Dot trrii. ""1 Chr'ngc Rre far
and aWav the '"a'Ns ~