New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-21
Barrow Counts
On Ban Johnson
In His Fight
Tearney Calls Meeting Of
Western, Three and Cent
raj Leagues at Chicago
By W. !. Macbeth


knocked cold at the annual National
Association meeting in Louisville, N.Y.
last week, but the sponsors of the
idea, apparently, are not yet recon
ciled TO a knockout. Edward J. Bag
row, president Of the international
League, has not yet returned from
/ Chicago, whittier he went immediately
after the conclusion of the Louisville
conference. In the Windy City Bar
row doubtless has been in close touch
with Al Tearney, who alone stood WITH
| him when the question came TO wore.
Tearney as yet has not given UP
hope of that phase OF minor league
territorial readjustment which directly
interested him. He is still fighting
spiritedly for territorial readlust-
ments among the Western. 1hree-l and
Central leagues. Al has announced q
meeting, which he hopes VIII be loiht-
| ly attended by the club owners OF these
/ circuits, for Chicago, the week Oh Tao
annual meeting OF the American
/ League in that city. Ban Johnson nas
| called his meeting for Wednesday. De-
| cember II.
May Cease Operations
Tearney's scheme doubtless will fad
| hearty cooperation from Ban Johnson
! enc of the greatest powers OF the or
ganized game. II territorial revision
| can be effected in this instance IT may
pave the way TO another move ior the
| bigger idea. Meanwhile, II nothing
to%erd a betterment Of his present
circuit can be accomplished, 1t Will
rot be astonishing if the Barrow col
leagues agree TO the wisdom OF his
SUGGESTION 10 cease operations Tor
1918. at least, II not for the duration
There seems the soundest logic In
Barrow's contention, just as there IS
IN the Tearney idea Of bringing the
| Western. Three-I and Central 10 some
more eauable territorial working OASIS.
/ This territorial revision would nave
been accomplished long ago had not
the minor leagues been governed by
selfish and shortsighted board OF con-
troll These have enjoyed special priv
ileges which, for the good of the game,
should have been abrogated long ago.
Class distinctions in the minor
leagues we're established years ago on
8. ratio Of population basis and have
obtained since despite changing census
figures. The Western League to-day
has no iust claim for higher classiiica-
ton than the Central League.
Word comes from Cuba that Ar
mando Marsans, outfelder Of the Yam
KEGS, has entirely recovered from the
broken ankle that incapacitated him
shortly after he came to New YORK
last summer from st. Louis in trade
for Lee Magee. In games on the island
the Cuban is reported 20 be showing
all his oldtime speed without the least
trace of a limp.
If Marsans is all that is said Of him
he may help 20 solve the one great
problem which confronts Miller Hug
gins. the new manager. Higgins IS eN-
cellontly provided with battery talent.
IL Del Pratt is secured from the
Browns, as now seems certain, New
York will boast an infield that ranks
with the best. But the outiield situa-
/ ton. which was particularly sad all last
/ season. must be remedied BY Marsans
and the recruits that were tried out
/ last fall.
Frank Gilhooley may yet prove the
Willie Keller his sponsors predicted.
/ Serious injuries two successive years
have prevented his maturing as he
would otherwise have done. Gil is no
further advanced than he was when he
came from Buffalo.
higgins, who knows Marsans from
/ ST. Louis DAYS. believes the tempera-
mental Cuban, if properly handled,
will prove an outfclder of the very
highest order. That IS, of course, n
J. L.- 80 hann a onfIW
fected by his accident at the Polo
Grounds.
Under the circumstances Marsans
seems fortunate 20 be wintering IN
Cuba. It usually takes about full
season for any player 70 overcome the
/ effects Of such an injury. Armando
will have a winter Of baseball on the
island.
The president Of tn. Baseball Play
ers' Fraternity seems very much
wrought up over the announcement
that the minor leagues have decided 20
/ dispense with the cOntractual clause
necessitating five days notice of re-
lease TO players. He charges the base
ball powers with violating treaty rights
because some years ago this i've days
/ notice Of release was incorporated into
] an agreement between organized base
| ball and the Players Fraternity.
David /. Fultz attributes 70 the pow
ers Of baseball-in this alleged aoroga-
/ tion-a spirit not unlike that of Ger
many. which characterized Belgium's
treaty rights a "mere scrap OF paper"
/ The memory Of Mr.. Fultz in this par
ticular seems hay indeed.
L memory serves Alright, organized
baseball, as typifed by the National
/ Commission, almost one year ago
served notice on the players union
/ that the benefits it enjoyed should not
necessarily be considered binding IN
/ future. That drastic action was neces-
STATED By the apparent lack Of faith
which had been displayed BY the Fra
ternity head himself. To force the
magnates into granting a number Of
reforms a seeming conspiracy was or
gained. Players, bound 70 clubs By
legitimate contract, were Influenced 70
abrogate their contractual obligations
/ i'm the interests Of a general strike 50
as to wheedle out Of employers better
terms for other unsigned, dlsgruntled
players.
II player rights are being trampled
upon by the bosses. II baseball treaties
have been rendered scraps Of paper,
the fault lies plainly at the door Of
tho eyacutiva Of the players' Frater-