The Washington herald., 1916-10-11

Brooklyn. n. Y, Oct. l0-Despite the
fact that the big series is naturally the
chief topic OF compensation among the
hundreds Of baseball men here, other
things in a baseball way are also being
discussed, and none Is getting more
consideration than the possible transfer
OF the Washington American League
franchise. This possibility offers more
than a mere ray Of hope to those who
are hopeful for Baltimore once again
getting back into the circles Of the base
ball elect.
Although none of the big folks, such
as the members Of the National Com
mission, will discuss the matter it is
known that the transfer of the Capital
City team has been given the most
serious sort Of thought by the powe~s
that be In the baseball world. The last
season was a poor one in a number Of
American League cities, despite the
great race which Boston, Detroit and
Chicago furnished. and none had a
worse time of it than Washington.
II the big guns in the American League
had their way the Washington team
would be transferred to Brooklyn, but
President Tener has put his foot down
on Il, and those who know the former
Governor OF Pennsylvania, realize that
this will come close to squashing any
thing. 1t is understood that President
3bbets had consented to the use of Eb-
bets Field, but President Tener says
there will be nothing doing.
Brooklyn will naturally enjoy some
real baseball prosperity for a year or
two, greater than it has had during the
one just concluded and the previous
season. President Tener and some 9TH
ers apparently figure they see no reason
why they should divide this prosperity
or give most Of it away, which would
happen should the Dodgers go wrong
and the newcomers show to advantage.
With Brooklyn out Of the way. BaIti-
more and Toronto are getting real con-
sideratton- AS is expected. Ban John
son again looms up as the man who
will block the transfer and the Monu-
mental City loses out in Its efforts.
Ban fairly detests Baltimore and has
never minced words in regard to the
matter. Geographically, Baltimore would
he a great place to step in Washing
TOMS shoes. and there are a host of
folks here who believe that Baltimore
Is ripe for real major league company
and who laugh at the bosh about the
support given the Orioles some twenty
ears ago.
Times have changed as has baseball,
and so has Baltimore
Federal League and International
League attendance offers no basis for
argument when the possibilities of the
Maryland metropolis are under consid-
cration
Toronto is considered desirable by
many, although its location from a
geographical standpoint does not please,
Then it must be remembered that
Toronto has suffered greatly from the
war and the situation along the line
does not appear as If It will be innedi-
ateIy remeded
That Baltimore as a Successor to
Washington has been unQer consfdera-
tton is certain. 1t is known that the big
folks who were Interested in the Balti-
more Federal League have been In
consultation as regards a possible COM
promise, and they have made it plain
that nothing other than a big league
franchise will stop the suit which is now
in the United States Court in PhiladeI-
mia. The suit was due for trial this
month. but it was, learned only a day
m so ago that il had been set back for
later in the winter, in view of a pos
si5IlitE of a settlement out of court.
7 nat the suit is not being considered
i'm the nature OF Joke is shown when
= IS noted that the organized baseball
folks have not carried out their So
.alled peace agreements with former
New ark, Brooklyn and Pittsburgh Fed
rral owners