The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-01
SPORTS


 may come and wars may go, but 1t seems that the success of the Southern associa- ton will go on forever. You never hear of the Dixie major being in trouble, and the financial shoals are as unknown to it as U-boats are in the Mississippi.
 There's a reason, according to the lit tie booklet of famous cereal, and in tnis particular instance it is because or the high type of men at the helm or the Southern s business, and who are the presidents of the eight clubs. It IS sel- dom that such representative pooy of real baseball men is assembled Tn one organization, and as seasons come anu go, the march to progress ana nhaneiai independence is uninterrupted.
 The president of the league, Robert ii. Baugh, is a big man in pasepail way, and during recent years has been ulscreu- gu ited to a certain extent by his enemies, but there is no denying that Mir Baugh has done some fine work for the associa tion since he has been at the head or it's affairs Bob Baugh is an eXecuelVe of rare ability and boise, who directs the destinies of the Southern with excelieht Judgment at all times. with platform consisting of an equal distribution or Ia- vors to all. He is business man. having made a success of his life call ing. and is devoting a big share of his experience earned in the business world to handling the affairs CT the league
 GOOD PLAYERS PLENTIFUL
 It's no little task to run Class A league. for despite the fact that it is con sidered the bushes by fans of the big time circuits, it is far from the under growth that some of them figure. There's considerably more good baseball played $ in Class A organizations than those Who reside in the big towns have any ldea Major league ball players who feel them selves slipping usually get stiff jolt when they try to make good in one or these leagues, and there are any mum her of instances in which the ex-maJor leaguers find it too much of a job to stick in what they believe to be the .sticks,' The idea that they will have no trouble at all in getting away and that it is going to be soft picking is soon dispelled, and many a big timer who has gone to the minors with the idea that he was in for flowery bed of ease has discovered a large amount of thorns therein.
 There Is a spirit of cooperation among the. magnates of the Southern association which is invaluable for any difficulties which arise are always throttled before they get under any headway whatever, and in this way this fast little Class A circuit goes on from year to year making money and adding fans to it's attendance, because the baseball pro- vided is always high-class and the games are well worth the half dollars that are paid for them.
 When one club gets in trouble in the Southern the others go to the rescue, and there's not magnate in the association right now who would hesitate moment to lend aid to faltering brother They've a m wi yfrat all turn it loose when the occasion de- mands, and with such spirit in evil dence at all times, sort of you help-me- Tll-help-you plan, there can be nothing else but success. It is not all for one in the Southern but a broad plan of CO., operation and assistance, fellow feeling and real consideration for the others diff faculties that keeps the wolf from the door and which makes for the successful carrying on of the organization regard less of any conditions.
 POLITICS ELIMINATED
 The league was threatened some time ago when politics were about to get the upper hand, when cliques began to form which would undoubtedly have eventually resulted in the disruption of the organi- Zation had they been allowed to exist. But realizing that a house divided against itself cannot stand, the magnates got to- gether and at a meeting some time ago they cut loose this leech which was sap ping the very life blood of the league and the freed association breathes the breath of health again, with all working in per- feet harmony and for the common cause of keeping the thern head and shoul- ders above al lass A league in the country.
 When politit eatened there came to the front SD with courage enough to state his COT tions. He knew what politics would do D the league. He pos sessed foresight and intellect enough to know that with petty wrangings and disagreements over the offices that the association offered, there would always be something to detract from the real work of making the Southern headliner among the minors. This man came out boldly and unafraid at recent league meeting and when he had finished the bloody hatchet was buried, and the last rites were said over politics. This man was Charley Frank. president and man. ager of the Atlanta Crackers, 1917 cham pions of the Southern.
 Frank acted unselfishly and with the best interests of the league at heart. and today the organization owes in large measure its prosperous condition and it's enviable position in the world of baseball to this gigantic figure who has always been veritahle father to the associa- ton, who works tirelessly at all times to keep the circuits affairs free from biclS- ering and taint The Southern is fortu- nate in having a man like Charley Frank within it's confines, for it's long way