Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-01-31

Al Tearney, self appointed Moses OF
the minor leagues of the Mississippi
valley section OF basehalldom, has
failed to bring about reimbursement OF
baseball difficulties thru the redistr!ct-
ing of territory, and the Three~l
League and the Central Association
today are no nearer asolution OF their
troubles than on Jan. IS, when Tear
ney appeared at the meeting OF the
Central Association, at Cedar Rapids
and proposed an exchange of towns
in an effort to revive interest IN the
grand old game. In fact, the two or
CARNATIONS are further from the goal
sought than they were when the Gem
trial directors met.
Had the Central Association turned
down the Tearney proposal instead OF
naming committee to meet with rep
resentatives of the other leagues in
terested to consider redistrictipg OF
territory, this organization would have
been in much better position than 1t
finds itself today. 1t would have had
Ottumwa in line for another season,
and it might have awakened an in
terest in Dubuque which, would have
resulted in that city coming into the
association.
Davenport wants to come into the
Central Association. but the Three-i
League insists OH trade which prob
ably would not appear reasonable 10
Central Association directors. Untll
the Davenport feature of the case IS
settled. there is little hope of a re-
organization for the coming season.
Should Davenport not come into the
Central an effort might be made to
bring Ottumwa back and to transfer
the Muscatine franchise to Dubuque.
otherwise, the Central Association
must start as a SIX club organization.
take. into membership two Iowa or
Illinois towns. which Would reduce the
LEAGUE population or increase mileage.
There is another possible solution
one dependent upon the failure OF the
Three-I League to effect a reorsani-
cation. Some claim to see possible
consolidation of clubs of the Three-l
and the Central Association, but this
would he effected only by the dropping
of some of the present members or
the Central Association.
"A majority of the directors of the
association have declared themselves
as against dropping any member with
out consent cfsthe member dropped, or
because there is no doubt of the loss
Of interest in the game in the city In
question.
A combination of the better cities of
the two organizations probably would
be the best and most reasonable soll-
ton of the difficulty This would re-
suit nsthe. elimination of cities not
desiring to continue as members In
either league and the nassing of those
cities where gate receipts can not be
made to pay expenses. It would, how
ever. result in Increased mileage and
greater expense in maintaining the
teams. but it would increase the in
Eiterest because of the change of the
club memberships. The main opposi-
tion tosthis plan is the desire OF the
directors Of the association to play
fair with present franchise holders,
and not compel any member to UNI
Willingly retire.
It Is believed, however. that there Is
q chance that Davenport must be
transferred to the Central, and in that
event there is a strong possibility that
Otturnwa may be induced to retain
membership for another year. In any
event quick actionssis desired. The
Central Association does not wish. to
follow the example Of the Three-l
League. which last year was uncertain
lof the makeup of the league roster
until few days before the opening OF
the season.