Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-03-03
NATIONAL COMMISSIONS DECl-
SION Is ADVERSE 70 CEN
TRIAL ASSOCIATION.
FORT DODGE MAY NOW
GET KEOkUk FRANCHISE
Decision Is on Appeal Of President
Tearney, of the Three-l League, and
cverruIes National Assoeiation-Jus-
tice Loses Long Fight to Invade Ter.
ritory of Rival Organization.

Rock Island belongs to the Three-l
league
Such was the finding of the nationa,
commission. announced late yesterday.
This decision ends a long territorial
controversy between the Three-I
league and the Central association. and
is a defeat for NJ. E. Justice. who has
long coveted the disputed territory
AS a result of this decision it is be-
lieved that Fort Dodge VIII be ad-
mitred to the Central association in
succession TO keokuk, at the special
league meeting to be held at Cedar
Rapids next Monday.
The Central association was ordered
by the national commission, not to
operate with the city of Rock Island in
lis circuit. In making this decision the
commission overruled the national as
Soclauon, which mad held that the ter
rttory had been surrendered by the
Three-I league owing to It's failure 10
occupy Rock Island within a specified
;:isic.
. No Statement Of Facts.
\ brief message announced the find
ing OF the commission and no state
ment OF facts upon which the finding
was based was given out. The Three-I
league is believed. however. TO have
made its appeal on the ive-Tile limit
rule. the general opposition to Class
D baseball in the city of Rock Island,
ard the internal dissension in the Gem
trail ASSOCIATION arising from the con-
tr0VerSy- The Central associations
case. as presented by Mr.. Justice sets
up that the Rock Island territory was
surrendered by the Three-I league
when that organization failed to place
team in that city within a specified
;:me. as directed by the national asso-
cation. and that clear title was vested
in the Central association when this
league paid into the national associa-
ton treasury the fee necessary 10
esta blish ownership. q,
Fort Dodge May Enter.
There is little Doubt as to the selec-
ton of an eighth member in the Cen
;-al association. Fort Dodge is gen.
orally favored for the place, the clubs
which have favored Rock Island hav-
rig signifed their willingness to &C
cept For: Dodge IN case the Island
ruling was aga INST the Central assoc
citation. Fort Dodge is ready to take
over the keokuk franchise provided
the berth is offered within the next
few days Fer; Dodge has raised tbs
necessary funds to f;1aTce club anc
has signed manager and part of the
team.
Dubuque. once suggested by Justice
as a possible successor to keokuks is
not seeking the berth. No effort has
been made in that city 10 secure the
franchise and it has heer announced
IN the Dubuque press that there was
no intention 10 place team in a Class
D urga nizatior.
Boyle Signs Grover Proush.
Grover Prough. first baseman and
catcher. IS the latest addition to the
! Alison squad. Manager Boyle today
announced the closing Of contract
with the former Manistee backstop.
Prough has played the two positions
successfully, but has been carried as
first sacker and change catcher prac-
t!caily turnout his career He was
member Of the pennant winning
Maristee club il the Michigan State
) league in 1928, and was in the South
Atlantic league in 1915 He is
known as a cleanup hitter. and in the
>; Atlantic league last season hit for an
average Of 2T5. and felded .958 III
eighty eight games.
! The signing Of Prough was made
necessary because Of a hitch in the
deal for Boyer. the Fort Wayne
catcher. Boyer was secured by Boyle
following the release OF the Fort
Wayne players by the management.
the club having disbanded. Shortly
after the announcement OF the sign
ing OF Boyer the Central league presi-
dent declared that the Fort Wayne
players were free agents. and that the
Fort Wayne management could no.
dispose Of the men Beyers services
were then claimed by another Central
league club which maintained that II
had first call on his services. The case
! has not been decided az yet.