The Washington herald., 1916-11-16
FED LEAGUE BACKERS
ARE Making THREATS
Organized Baseball Forming Third Cir
cult to Settle Trouble.

Joe Villa. Of the New York Evening Sun.
appears TO have hit the nail on the head
IN reference to the forming Of the third
league and the reasons for such a move
ment. The following is his story:
FROM a trustworthy source learned
yesterday one of the big reasons why
organized baseball Is trying to form a
third major league comprising Buffalo,
newark. Toronto, Baltimore, Indianap-
oils, Louisville, Milwaukee and Toledo.
1t appears that several hackers of the
defunct Federal League, who have not
yet received dollar from organized base
Dali as part Of the peace settlement ar
ranged last winter. are threatening to
make more trouble. Something like $780,
goo was promised to the Feds for with
drawing from the field, but this money
mas not been paid because the Baltimore
FED stockholders have sued the National
commission and the major leagues for
$4,000 damages
As organized baseball is determined to
nght this suit to a finish. the former Fed
packers, headed by H. F. Sinclair. have
let II be known that they may form an
other so-called outlaw league, which
would mean renewed hostilities. For that
reason. organized baseball leaders are
anxious to arrange a third major league
OF their own, embracing four Of the cities
that were represented in the deceased
Gilmore circuit. 1t Is figured that II this
plan is put into effect before Sinclair and
his associates decide to resume warfare
the latter will be checked in such a man
ner that they will conclude to await the
outcome OF the Baltimore suit.
fne disposal OF the Washington
club. 1 hear. is a live topic among the
big league magnates. While Presi-
dent johnson, Of the American League.
has announced that Washington will
remain member of his circuit, 1t is
SAID that National League men favor
the transfer of the Washington fran
chlse to Baltimore. a move that would
put an end to the litigation which
threatens to endanger the fundamental
principles of baseball government. But
johnson and the American League are
opposed to the admission of Baltimore
on the ground that the Monumental
City was total failure back in 1901,
when 1t controlled a franchise in the
johnson organization.
The American League, therefore, ia
vors the placing OF Baltimore in the
proposed new American Association as
the best way out Of the present con-
troversy. There is little doubt that
the American League would agree to
shift the Washington club to either
DiOohlSH oT TltIbDuTBn, Dut the Ma
tional League. which owns those cities
under the terms of the national agree
ment. would refuse to give its consent.
As matter of fact the National
League believes that the American
Leagues power and prestige already is
too great to permit moves calculated
to Increase its strength.
The presence of the Yankees at the
Polo Grounds has helped the American
League wonderfully in winning popu-
lar favor here. For that reason 1t is
said that the National League, as a
whole. does not favor the granting of
a long-term lease by the owners of the
Giants to the New York Americans
after next year. Col. Rupert and
Capt. Huston also believe that they
should have a ball park of their own.
and with that end in view they still
are looking for a place to build. In
short the situation Is complicated,
with both major leagues anxious to
arrange matters SO that outside oppo-
sition will be impossible.