New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-24

Therefore the annual meeting OF the
National Association, the governing
body Of the minor leagues, which Will
be held soon at Louisville, KY, is OF
unusual importance this year. The
minor leagues, like the majors, have
decided TO hold the conference early,so
that whatever policies are adopted may
be matured before spring.
1t IL not believed the major leagues
will suffer noticeably next season, even
In the event Of continued war. To
them are presented possibilities OF re-
trenchment that would pull them out
with little or no loss generally. To
begin with, 1t is possible, In case OF
dire necessity, TO cut the present roster
limit In half without greatly affecting
the present balance Of the first powers.
Rent aside, this would practically cut
in two the operating expenses.
No Chance for Ecor~say
But no such opportunities for econ
omy confront the minor leagues. They
now are down to the rockbed OF salary
and operating expenses. II the unmar-
ried major stars are called TO the col
ors, the National and American leagues
can always go to the brush for recruits
to patch up their lines. The minor
league field for rebuilding is limited.
War, therefore, in every way is bound
first to cripple the little fellows.
IL will be proposed, therefore, at the
annual meeting of the National Asso-
citation to have declared sort Of base
ball moratorium. This will have refer
ence TO the wealth Of territory only.
Many Of the little leagues would gladly
suspend operations were they assured
that their territory would be inviolate
during the period OF the war. The Ma
tional Commission favors such protec-
ton for the smaller leagues, and will
urge the association to grant such
boon. It would not be surprising, there
fore, II only the Class AA and Class A
minor leagues were in operation in
1918.
Among tho Glass AA circuits are con-
sidered the American Association and
international League, OF course. But
from the best authority II has been
learned that the two will surely merge
in new class just short of major rat
ing. The new league is TO be protected
through being freed from draft on the
part Of the National and American
leagues. It's independence in this line
will permit of the conservation of
players or their development for the
revenues Of sales, but it will not be
obliged through salaries or heavy
roster to shouLSG the average major
league overhead.
Opposition to this Class IA merger is
bound to develop In certain American
Association quarter, II not, indeed. in
the international League. The club
owners Of the big cities Of both cir
cults, of course, are strong for the
proposition. Those who own franchises
In towns to be dropped cannot be ex-
pected to enthuse. One OF these prob
able cities is Montreal, and Sammy
Lichtenhein Is already out for the scalp
of Ed Barrow.
Tom Hickey, president Of the Amcri-
can Association, Is also said TO oppose
the move. But Hickey, il appears, is
not lined up with the real powers OF the
association. II Is intimated that he
fears a crumbling Of his throne through
the combine, In that Ed Parrow would
be asked to take command Of the new
league.
The final outcome Is likely 70 be ar
ranged amicably as the result of exist
ing American League politics IL seems
to depend upon whether OF not the War
Department accepts Ban Johnson's ten
dered services Should Ban step down
from the position he now occupies in
the baseball world there little doubt
that Ed Barrow would be named as his
successor. Hickey, assured of the fut-
ure, could then throw the weight of his
influence with the proposed new league.
Charles II. Ebbets. president of the
Brooklyn National League club. may be
possessed of faults somewhat Getrl-
mental 20 one who caters to public
patronage, but he can never be accused
of lack of patriotism either TO his
country or organized baseball.
Ebbets, despite his peculiarities, al
ways has been one Of baseball's stout
est champions. He hung on doggedly
in spite of reverses that would have
discouraged the average promoter I'M
til he saved something from the wreck
with pennant winning club.
Ebbets now proposes TO reward the
loyalty Of those players on his roster
who are called to the colors either OF
their own volition or through the
draft, He has announced that all OF
his players who join the army or navy
will receive so per cent salary during
their terms of service. This, on his
part, entails no mean contribution
when it is considered Brooklyn was hit
harder by the draft than any other
of the big league teams.
George Tebeau, for many years the
real power behind the throne in the
American Association. has sold his in
terests in the Kansas City club TO
John Camel and other influential citi-
zens of that city. Tebeau announces
that he is through with baseball for all
time.
The retirement Of Tebeau doubtless
will smooth the path of those associa-
ton magnates who wish 10 Join hands
with the powers Of the international
League toward forming a new circuit.
Kansas City, because of it's isolation.
could scarcely be considered for a. berth
in any league comprising. as do the
major leagues, both an Eastern and g
Western wing. Only it's isolation is a
drawback. Otherwise K. C. would be
more desirable for major purposes
than many Of the places where fran
chises are located at present.
No. Joho,on L.s ,o.,,~ol A.. gu