The Washington herald., 1917-12-21
SUIT WORRYING
BASEBALL MEN
Federals Have Not Been
Paid Heavy Indemni-
ties Promised.

New York, Dec 2o-The annual
meeting of the natinal commission
in Cincinnati on January Is likely
to be enc Of the most important base
ball conferences of the present win
ter. Indeed. the routine business Of
the triumvirate Is but secondary In
Importance, II has been learned on
absolutely reliable authority.
Major league club owners who had
intended to mail contracts to play
ers the first Of the year will de-
lay for a week or ten days SO that
n definite policy toward retrench-
ment may be determined. There were
few matters of prime Importance
which the delegates did not find time
to digest at the joint meeting in CHI
cago last week. These were referred
to committees, which were instructed
to report to the several major en-
ployers. The national commission
meeting affords fine opportunity for
those interested in their action to get
together for a final thrashing out of
the problems.
The probable effect of war, on the
playing strength Of the two major
leagues IS one Of the least worries
of the operators. II all the young
stars subject to draft should be taken
and all the others of military age
should enlist there would still be ma
teriaI available for the shaping or
sixteen clubs. In such a contingency
the minor leagues would be the first
forced out, and their remnants could
keep the major spirit aglow indefi-
nitely. The elimination of high-sal-
aired men would obviate the salary
sIashing planned.
+. One of the real worries of organized
baseball at present IL the hang-fire
.suit of the Federal League. The Ma
ional and American Leagues as CO.
defendants seem reasonably sure Of
checkmating the action for $500. 900
damages resurrected by the stock
holders OF the Baltimore club Of the
defunct outlaw circuit, but the bigger
fish of the Gilmore ring Is another
matter entirely.
Good Excuse for Delay.
Heavy indemnities were promised
the Wards, Harry F. Sinclair and Ed
ward Gwinner to deliver the OUTLAW"
bound hand and foot and free from
all entangling legal alliances. These
indeminities have not been paid. There
was good excuse for delay for q time
the original suit brought by the
Baltimore people. But that suit. with
drawn from a Philadelphia court. was
dormant for many weeks without any
attempt having been made to square
promised accounts with the Wards,
Sinclair. Gwinner and company.
1t is limited now that these financial
pillars of the Federal League have
lent moral support to their one-time
enemies, the Baltimore stockholders.
At any rate, the latter have not
named their original partners as CO.
defendants in the second suit. And
baseball, IL 1t wins from the Balti-
more people, will still have its settle
ment to make with those favored by
promised indemnities.
In both leagues there is a certain
sentiment, though IL may be in the
minority, to avoid unnecessary linen
washing in the public courts by ami
cable means. Some few National
Leaguers even counseIled, few
months ago, a separate settlement.
Some American League club-owners
believe that in the present state Of af-
fairs baseball conditions should not be
aired in court. These intend to make
a fight for peace at any price" dur
ing the Cincinnati meeting.
Adjudication of differences with
Baltimore citizens is easy OF accom-
plishment. A major league franchise
would tickle the Oriole City much
more than $4,000. Especially SO. II
the International League is as dead
as its magnates intimated at their
annual meeting. The National League
long counselled such a move. but
wished to put the burden on its rival
wished to have Washington's fran
chise switched there.