Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-01-20
Reorganization Of the Circuit
Only Salvation of Game
for Tulsa.
MUST DROP TEXAS CITIES
Higher Classification and Six
Club League Issues to Be
Decided.
CBy LARRY pAILEY1


When the Western association mag
mates meet In Fort Smith today lhe
life or death OF that league VIII be the
issue. From nearly all cities when
were In the circuit last season word
comes that they are ready TO start
again. Denison and McAlester nave
declared their willingness to again at
tempt TO weather the storms OF an
other pSpnant chase.
But 10 those acquainted with cohnh-
lions IN the Western association terri
tory, IA reor6anization is the only sal
wilton Of the game. Not only reor-
sanitation of the circuit, but feor-
gunizatlon among the elites that VIII
probably start the season.
with conditions az they are now II
lsHmpossible for the Texas cities 10 be
Included In the league. McAlestcr.
with pennant winner last season,
barely finished out OF the hole, even
after selling several players and after
having had over $1,000 donated the
sSub by fhe fans Ardmore and Sher-
SAn have shown no desire TO try II
,gain But McAlester and Denlson
have declared their intentions Of starr
ing again These towns deserve great
credit for their nerve In wanting To
start season following the failure OF
last year. But
Wanted To Quit.
Last senson, In August four w A.
cities voted to suspend the schedule.
These cities were Denison McAlester.
Ardmore and sherman. The other
four cities voted to continue. by a
vote OF the president, II was decided
10 finish the schedule, which was sue
cessfuliy concluded on Labor my
~sers.seb bail in cities OF sufficient size Will
those
expressed "A desire TO throw up the
Rpongo last year, when conditions were
better than at this time. can hardly
hone TO keen bertbs In the league. III
they were ready To quit by August
last year, then they would he ready
10 quit before the league gets under
way this year.
30 Oklahoma City. Tulsa and Muskoget
are determined not to start again In q
league which includes the above men
toned towns They will not sacrifice
their baseball future to the altar OF
keeping the league going" only e
have IL stopped In mid-season. For
Smith Is splendid baseball town, one
OF the best In the circuit. lnterna
trouble was handicap to The Arkan
. sds city. but that has tttTs believed
been cleared Fort Smith can be de
pended upon 10 work with the thre'
larger oklahoma cities.
A fast six-club circuit, composed o
oklahoma city. Tulsa, Muskogee ant
Fort Smith and two others. with pos
sibly a Class G classification, Is con
sidered the only logical plan. II Il
considered a cinch that the first thre,
mentioned teams will do without base
hal before they will again enter &
league with the same personnel as las
season.
Sincere In Intentions.
II is probable that Denison and Nc
AcStcr are sincere in their intentions
u Hartipg again. But the story OF tbs
ruin of countless minor leagues Il
based u6pn The insistence In starting
taken by smaller cities whefi they can
not hope 10 take In enough revenue e
survive.
Tulsa and Oklahoma City had mr.
opportunity to get into the Western
league but those backing the base
nali interests of he largest Sooner
cities did not believe that they should
DO so II living Western association
can be formed. Oklahoma City and
Tulsa, with Fort Smith and Muskogee
want baseball But they want thu
right Kind, or no baseball at all.
VIII the mqgnltes see the light and
act accordingly today or viii theS
send the Western association into OBJ
'Nion?