The Washington times., 1916-11-14
Many Radical Changes Are
expected to Be Effected in
Control of the Sport.
MUST REBUILD THE FENCES
Third Major League May Be
Adopted as One Way to Aid
Smaller Leagues.
By JOE VILLA.

NEW YORK, Nov. I-Baseball mag
mates. 'big and little. are in New Or
leans today for the annual business
meeting Of the National Association OF
Professional Baseball Leagues, the
official title Of the minors.
1t convenes this afternoon, and before
the conference breaks up 1t Is believed
that many radical changes in the con-
troll OF the sport outside of the National
and American Leagues will be put into
effect.
The minor leagues have been
struggling gamely for existence during
the last three years. When the Feds
went to the wall last winter the minors
expected a return of former prosperity
but they were doomed to another season
OF disaster. and practically all ofThem
wound up with more deficits to pay.
The big pow-wow this week in the
crescent city. therefore. means that the
minor league promoters again will try
70 mend their fences. II they will heed
the suggestions of their major league
brothers 1t may be possible to bring
order out of chaos. As already told in
these columns. the leaders of organized
baseball have suggested an excellent
plan to help the little fellows out Of
the. mre. II involves the formation OF
a third major league. with Eastern and
western circuits. embracing Newark,
Baltimore. Buffalo. Toronto. Louisville.
indianapolis. Toledo. and Milwaukee.
Most Men in Favor.
These columns exclusively published
the story Of this new organization last
Wednesday, Since then all classes OF
baseball men have expressed themselves
In favor of the plan except the owners
of clubs in the International League
and the American Association that must
. out.
President Barrow. Of the International
League, will attend todays meeting to-
Sether with representatives of the New
ark, Buffalo, Baltimore and Toronto
Clubs, who are ready to turn their
franchises over to the new circuit.
The American Associations leaders
who favor the reorganization plan are
ready to hook up with Barrow and his
immeaiate followers But in each OF
these class IA leagues there will be a
bitter fight to maintain them as they
nave been operated in former years.
powerful Influence will be exerted by
American and National League men to
win the minors over, but 1t remains to
be seen how the smaller leagues as a
body will act.
II they vote to turn down the propo-
sition they probably will be informed
a:oof in future, refusing to offer finan-
clal assistance in any way. II, on the
other hand, the minors accept the pro-
posed changes in the baseball may, the
Are Facing a Crisis.
1t might be said that the minor leagues
are facing a crisis. They cannot hope
to prosper under present conditions.
They must look to the majors for re-
lief, and the big fellows are eager to
help them. With the minors placed on
sound business basis, which means a
reduction of expenses, including shorter
railroad jumps and lower salaries II Is
predicted that baseball next year will
regain popularity wherever the game Is
played. So the minors have an excellent
chance to better their condition IL they
are willing to listen to words OF wisdom
The suggestion for a third league orig
mated IN the mind of President john
son. of the American League, 1t is said.
Johnson Is smart baseball poll
tlclan, and whenever he makes
suggestion he commands attention He
has favored a third league for some
time, providing II does not cut into
major league territory.
Hit Nail on Head.
Johnson believes that a combination
of the best cities in the International
League and the American Assocla-
ton Will hit the nail on the head. 1t
will appeal to popular demand for
better baseball for the cities he has
named as members of the proposed
circuit. Furthermore, the plan will
serve TO strengthen the Western
League and the New York State
League which have been precarious-
ly managed in-former seasons.
Johnson recognizes the important
fact that the majors do not embrace
all the cities that can afford so-callcd
major league clubs For that reason
his third league idea is calculated to
satisfy public clamor and to boom
the game.
Furthermore, the johnson plan, II
carried out, will cover the entire field
the majors being enabled to control
twenty-four cities instead of sixteen,
and thereby making 1t impossible TO
leave them open to outlaw inv aston.