The Washington herald., 1918-02-14
BASEBALL FEUD
Damage Suit Of Federal
League Not Settled
at Meeting.

New York, Feb. 13.-The old feud
between organized baseball and the
defunct Federals IL still shoulder
ing.
When the National League mo-
guls ended their meeting here to-
night the matter Of the damage suit
brought by the Baltimore Federals
charging organized baseball with
being a trust was no nearer settle
ment than before.
The hoped for compromise was
not made. II is known that J. c.
J Tool attorney for the baseball men.
had offered to adjust the case. but
the representatives OF the Federals
failed to appear.
Harry Sinclair. who owned the
Newark Federals. and Edward W.
Gwynner, owner of the Pittsburgh
Club, were the only moguls OF the
defunct oranization TO come to the
meeting when organized baseball
| again stood ready to meet and pay
| its obligations.
A committee was appointed by the
National League. at the request
Sinclair to meet with the American
League officials and formulate a
plan to take over the Federal
League ball parks at Brooklyn.
Newark and Pittsburgh. II Is hoped
that they may again be turned into
assets to the national game. This
committee is composed of Harry
Hampstead. OF the New York club.
William +. Baker, of Philadelphia,
and Col. Ebbets. of the Brooklyn
team.
| An effort was made by Branch
Hickey. of the St Louis Browns. TO
\ stop Charles Weegham, Of the
| Cubs. from flashing his bank roll
in the eyes OF the National League
players. Hickey charges Weegh-
man with making an open offer for
Hornsby. which he claimed had
damaged his club. Although
weeghman was not present. Walter
Craighead. representing the Cubs,
protested. A sharp argument fol-
lowed In which the St. Louis club
owner. established that certain let
ters had been written to uewspa-
pers and published. in which
weeghman had offered the St
Louis star a substantial salary to
Join the Cubs.
No Official action was taken, but
the league went on record as being
opposed to such dickering.
Only one important change IN the
rules was made. It Is now possible
for any club owner to recall a waiver
once given. The suggestion for the
change came from Hickey. who claim
ed that because Of the now small
player limit 1t would be easier for
a manager to estimate the value Of
his men
The rule making waivers unrecall-
able was passed in 1906. when 1t was
argued II was a valuable clause At
that time there were plenty OF men.
The fight between Jack Hendricks.
| OF the Cardinals, and Ed Barrow,
new manager OF the Red Sox, for
Johnny Evers. was not settled to-
night, and It is doubtful where Evers
will play next season. He returned
to his home in Troy to consider the
two offers.
Evers was released last October by
the Phillies. He made his appear
ance at the meeting looking for a
job and telling everybody his price
was s., 500. Neither Hendricks nor the
Red Sox have offered this amount,
but they have made him propositions
which Johnny says look good.
The American League moguls be-
1 gan arriving tonight for the annual
|. meeting, which begins here tomorrow.
Several player deals are expected to
be announced. Connie Mack stated
that he will have another surprise
1t is believed that he will announce
buy this time. because II the i'm
pending announcement has any Of
the characteristics of his former deal
it could hardly be the sale OF any
more Athletic players.
Clarence Rowland. manager OF the
champion White Sox, is on hand. but
refused to make any statement on
the player situation. Hugo Bezdek.
manager of the Pirates. returned to
Pittsburgh tonight without landing
any men.