The Washington herald., 1917-12-11
FINANCES MAY
HALT THE INTS
Barrow's Circuit Will Blow
if Not Given Support.
To Continue in 1918.

=
q decade has carried the banner of
organized baseball. will not be left
to the mercy of the wolf at the
door. Financial assistance to tide
this Class AA organization over the
treacherous business shoals incl
dent to a world war will be guaran-
teed tomorrow by the National
League magnates assembled in this
city.
The International League was to
have held its annual meeting today
at the Imperial Hotel 1t was
found necessary to delay the con-
ference for one day by some very
important personages, including
the Representatives of the champion
Toronto and the Baltimore clubs
who were delayed by storm Toronto
and Baltimore are two of the prin-
cipal links OF the International
chain.
The International League mag
mates number on their membership
roll some Of the gamest promoters
of this professional sport The In
ternational League has struggled
for several years against an appar-
emily hopeless cause. The great
majority has suffered striking
losses despite rigid economy. 1t is
q case of throwing more good
money after bad or of locking the
parks till after the war.
But for one fact the International
League would have closed shop a
year ago. 1t was felt the collapse Of
such a prominent minor organization
would have had a depressing effect
upon the welfare OF the sport in gen.
eraL And because of the possible de-
preston major league baseball now
stands ready to return the compli-
ment- Financial difficulties alone seem
to stand in the path of the Interna-
tional Leagues future. Finance-take
Il from National League magnates in
the city-is nothing over which the
Barrow circuit should worry.
There are two cities in the Interna-
tional League circuit which have not
kept pace with their fellows and
which have been a drag TO the gen.
eral prosperity Of the combination.
These are Montreal and Richmond,
the extreme north and south wings of
the organization
1t seems more than probable that
Montreal and Richmond will be elimi-
mated though just how remains to be
seen. It has been proposed that the
club affair. This proposition has not
met with popular approval 1t is felt
the move would cheaper the league
and therefore prove a boomerang to
the game in general
Sammy Lichtenhein, who owns the
Montreal club, is one of the very most
patriotic promoters to be found any,
where. Profits are a secondary con-
sideration with him. 1t Is impossible
to freeze out Sammy. But he might
step down il he could be shown the
transfer of franchise to some other
city would be of common benefit.
There Is a scheme on now to switch
the Montreal franchise to Syracuse,
n. Y. Such a switch would mean the
elimination of Lichtenhein. 1t would
involve expense which the major
leagues r:;'st make good.
1t Is probable that the International
League meeting here Will develop moth
ing more tangible than an expressed
purpose to continue operations through
the season of 1918. Details very well
may be left over to a later conference.
Meanwhile a line may be had on
business conditions.
A hope of no meagrc size Is held
out in the possibility of Sunday base
ball in New York State next year.
Sunday baseball would permit the
transfer of Montreal and Richmond
franchises to New York State cities
that would assure sound business in
compact circuit. Rochester. question
able prop at present. would fall
quickly into line.
Charles II. Ebbets. the champion of
Sunday baseball, believes the Inter-
-hs
action for a month or two. According
to the squire of Flatbush the Sun
day game is an all-fired go. He be-
heves a bill legalizing this sport on
the Sabbath will be passed early in
the calendar of the legislature. II
he Is right the International League
has little cause for worry.
There seems no need for the In
ternational League to throw up the
sponge at this moment. 1t will lose
nothing by waiting a month or two
Meanwhile the majors will be giver
chance to organize a rescue IL il
Is found a rescue is necessary. In
these parious times anything Is liabls
to happen inside of few weeks.
Charles T. Chaplin, of Rochester
told the delegates at an informal
meeting that his club was on the
market He made no secret of the
fact that he wanted to quit. He il
ready to sell at any minute, he de.
clared, but even If he fails in this
he may decide to discontinue alto.
gether.
New York, Dec 10.-Delayed trains
due to the storm in the Middle west
had their effect on the first days
session Of this weeks interesting
series of baseball concIaves. held here
today. The International League
which faces a life or death issue
was unable to hold a regular bust.
ness meeting because Of the absence
OF two club owners J. J. McCaffery
Of Toronto, and John Dunn, of Bal.
timore.
Barrow. president. refused to affirm
or deny the report that he would
soon become president Of the Bostor
Red Sox. running the club for the
present owner, Harry Frazee. Bar.
row said his future conduct would
be governed by the action his clut
owners would take within the next
few days.
However. among baseball men {,
Is said that Barrow will be in Bos-
ton before the first of next season
either as president or vice president
OF the Boston American League Club
He Is very close to President John
son. and johnson, Comiskey an6
others would welcome him in Bos.
ton.
All the National League men were
on the scene today, with the excep-
uon OF Hermann. of the Cincinnati
club. and Charles Weeghman, of Chi
eaeo. Both men were delayed fol