Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-07-29
Oklahoma City, Muskogee, Fort
Smith Against Curtailment
of Playing Season at Mon
days McAlester Meeting.
MAY BE FOUR CLUB CIRCUIT
Tulsa Will Vote Withdrawal If
Western League Franchise
Can Be Brought Here for
Remainder of Year.
(By CHARLES ]. BRILL)

The fate of the Western association
will be decided in McAlester tomor-
row. President j. w. Bell having
called a meeting of the board of di-
rectors for the mine city Monday
morning Apparently a majority of
the club owners are in favor of cur
failing the playing season, for in his
telegram of n few days ago asking for
opinions of closing early, President
Bell said he would not attempt to cali
a meeting unless he was assured Il
majority were in favor of shortening
the race.
To Fight Curtailmcnt.
While majority have expressed
themselves as being in favor of an
early closing, it is probable a siren
uous effort will be made on the part
of Oklahoma City and Muskogee to
keep the league going. In Il letter to
the sporting editor of The World,
President f.. NJ. Duncan of the Okla
homa City club is loud in condemna-
ton of the early closing idea. 1t is
known that Muskogee also is desirous
of going on thru as that city has a
strong team and is getting the pay at
the gate. The Fort Smith directors
at their meeting last Friday instructed
President George Ellefson to vote to
play out the season, but 1t is not be-
lieved the Fort Smith people are so
eager. to continue as are Oklahoma
City and Muskogee.
Scott Not Enthusiastic.
Inasmuch as McAlester, Sherman,
Denison and Ardmore are ready to
quit any minute, the only hope the
triumvirate has to gain continuance
is to swing Tulsa into line. This prob
ably will be a hard job. When Scott
was badly in need Of help few weeks
ago and urged as the means of saving
the Tulsa situation that the schedule
should be split, he got no considera-
tion. On first thot the league voted
with only three against it, to split the
schedule the three negative votes be-
Ing Muskogee, Fort Smith and Sher-
man. Sherman's proxy being voted by
Williford of Denison who had made
the motion. At the adjourned session
few hours later. however, this
action was reversed Ardmore being
the only club to stand by Scott.
Cannot See Argument
Naturally Scott cannot see why he
should sacrifice Tulsa's and his own
interests any longer for n league
which will not meet him half way
Furthermore, after this breach with
the Western association had been
forced, he turned his attention to the
Western league. President f.. w.
Dickerson of that league was in Tul-
sa at the time of the Western associa-
ton meeting and before he left, Scott
had a long conference with him. dur
ing which President Dickerson as
sured him that in case the Western
association should abandon Tulsa u
Western league franchise could be
placed in Tulsa Immediately. Since
then he has kept constantly in touch
with Mr.. Dickerson and has been ad-
vised that not only Tulsa but Okla
homa City as well would be welcomed
into the class A circuit; and Scott be-
lieves that should the Western asso-
citation suspend by next Sunday Tulsa
would see Western league baseball
yet this season. Under these crcum-
stances it is not probable that Scott
will break his neck trying to keep the
association running any longer.
Small Circuit Proposed.
1t is known that Oklahoma City
will favor dropping out Sherman,
Denison. Ardmore and McAlester
which still would leave the four
strongest cities of the circuit to make
up a four club league. This would
be feasible for there is no question
but that Muskogee. Oklahoma City
Fort Smith and Tulsa could pull thru.
come up will be that of protecting the
territory for the period Of the war
under special dispensation from the
national association. Oklahoma City
will oppose this as also will Tulsa.
Oklahoma City wants Western league
ball just as badly as does Tulsa but
President Duncan does not believe
that 1t would be avisable to give up
the Western association this year. fav-
oring playing out this years schedule
and then going into the higher league
next year. Protecting the territory
should make little difference to Den
ison and Sherman for neither can
hope to be in league with Tulsa,
Muskogee, Fort Smith and Oklahoma
City next season. Down at Ardmore
they care little about it, for baseball
there has not received the play that
had been anticipated and +. A. Dan
iels has put as much into baseball
for McAlester as he can afford.
Muskogee and Fort Smith probably
will want to see the territory pro-
tected.