The Washington times., 1916-12-13
Hint Is Heard That It Is Scheme
: to Defeat Efforts Of
FederaIs.
MINORS OFFER DEMANDS
Seek Representation on the
National Commission, With
Hermann Out of II.
ny JOE VILLA.

NEW YORK. Dec. 13.-Could the
government OF professional baseball
be called n trust ~ the major leagues
should sever all business relations
with minor leagues? sWould major
leagues be injured from the stand
point OF patronage and gate receirts
II they should have q so.called Ma.
tional Commission OF their own for
the purpose of settling disputes?
Did II ever occur ITO you that the
Baltimore Feds 100000. suit against
organised baseball. In which n viola.
tion of the Sherman law II charged,
may have something to do with tho
present feeling of unrest among the
major and minor league club owners?
To get right down to brass tacks,
10 there any truth I'm the report that
the quarrel between the majors and
minors over various questions. includ.
ing the draft rule, is a pre.arranged
plan to organize the government OF
the sport on a new basis for the pur-
pose OF beating the Feds suit?
- Minors Make Demands.
p The representations OF the leading
minors--the International League, the
Pacific Coast League, and the Ameri.
can Association--made formal de.
mands on the National League at the
Waldorf yesterday that hardly will
be granted.
Tho National League will NOT con.
sent to n new commission or five
members, including two from the
minors. one each from the National
and American leagues, and a non
partisan chairman. IL 10 very much
"a I ksyllI
vote 20 relieve these minor leagues
Of the draft system In spite of their
threats OF secession which have been
made In connsetion with their de-
mands.
'. Tf the leading minor leagues, there.
fore, are turned down by the National
League, also BY the American, which
will receive similar demands In Chi: !
caEo tomorrow, there can ba one OF
swallow a bitter pill and go ahead
with their ball games under present 1
or they can break away
from the National agreement and run
their arairs Independently OF the
major league. ,
To Get No More Money.
In tho event OF n break the minors
will receive no more money for their |
ball players. They will have 10 get
along without financial aid from the
major league clubs, which have been
extremely liberal In past seasons.
Having .iready turned down the
the minors are between two nres.
Their players say that they viii go on
strike In the spring, while breach
with the majors means no protection
and no revenue from higher up.
The action OF the international
League In refusing TO abide by the
ruling OF the nationah commission 20
the Ebbet claim against the Newark
ihsse missnldsd. i@peeunious minors
are buttins their heads against
stone wall.
The International League has been
<spt sliys for the last three years by
he major league magnates, The
osses last season amounted TO 500.
700, Il "a said. Perhaps the National
md American Leagues know what 10
sehind the minors general desire 10
hon 10 puxzling.
May settle Fed suit.
According 10 Governor Tener's fig
sres the National League enjoyed
nuoh prosperity last season as a re-
Iult OF peace In the baseball world.
The governor stated In his report
ne total attendance was the !gre9test T,
'ver recorded by his circuit. The
lome games OF the Giants, Brooklyns
md Philltes drew record breaking I
roWds. / nasmuch as the American
,eague also enjoyed remarkable sue ,
ess in the counting OF gate receipts,
xcept In philadelphia, the conclusion
must be drawn that the elimination
q the Federal League was u boom
or the sport. Ii
II is taken for granted therefore
hat the rival major leagues are not
worrying about the future, no matter
What action the minors may see fit /
o take. The only cloud on the hori'
on 10 the Baltimore Feds damage !
uit which, IL IL rumored. may be
ettled out of court by the payment I
{ money TO the complainants. ,