New-York tribune., 1918-03-30

Organized baseball needs the pres
encc of league that figured so prom
inently for more than generation
quite as much as the minor promoters
need encouragement from the big fel-
lows. 1t would have been a blow to
the game had q Class AA circuit gore
completely out Of business. AS it is,
the majors will be hard put to it to
find suitable farms" for their excess
talent, and the new international
League for that very reason will be
more than welcome.
The attitude Of organized baseball
toward the new circuit in process Of
formation was fttingly expressed by
James c. MCGill, owner of the Indian
apolis club of the American Associa-
tion. McGill came over to the recent
international League meeting, which
was expected to develop into its
funeral, for the purpose Of straight
cning out the Lajoc tangle When the
old International League disbanded
McGill was advised to step in and sign
some of the players who had become
free agents.
Refused to Sign Players
81 would never think of such a
thing" said he when he learned that
efforts were being made toward re-
organization. "lf any of the Interna-
tional League players come to my club
it will be only with the consent of
their former employers after | have
purchased title. I never have re-
ceived and never expect to receive
something for nothing.
1.-THE club owners of the Interna-
tional League have every moral right
to the players to whom they paid sal
aries last year and it would be indeed
the most ungratcful trick imaginable
tor any clubs to take advantage of
techncalty of baseball law. Pro-
moters of the new international
League should be encouraged in every
way, not hampered"
For some reason an impression pre-
walls that Jack Dunn and i'm McCaf-
frey cast the two votes against dis
bandment of the old international
League. AS matter Of fact, McCaf-
frey and Dunn were the two stoutest
advocates of just this policy. They
tlon of the part of the old circuit, at
least, under reorganization.
1T was the Newark and Richmond
clubs that opposed disbandment. They
wished the league to suspend during
the period of the war. That would
have left the territory open to every
adventurer and sacrificed player rights.
inc Saving coup was engineered
new Glass AA league. AS secretary
Of the National Association he guar
anteed the territory rights of the four
most important cities.
Lichtenheim Proves Loyalty
Richmond favored suspension rather
than disbardment, as il wished not to
be dropped from the circuit. 1t real
lied that in case of reorganization it,
like Montreal. would be eliminated in
the general interest of making cir
helm, Of Montreal, proved himself the
game fellow that he is by voting for
disbandment. So far as his club was
concerned, he realized it was baseball
suicide. But he deferred to the gen
eral good of the game, as he always
has DONE
Friends of baseball are hopeful for
the amended Lawson bill. which would
legalizc professional baseball on the
Sabbath. 1t is expected that this bill
will come UP for discussion in the two
houses at Albany early next week.
Opponents of the more broad minded
legislation have fallen back to a pc
culia. tack in their latest efforts to
pile up obstacles. They claim now
their main objection to the bill is that
it would legalize commercial enter
prise on the Sabbath day.
What gay world this would be if
all commercial enterprises were halted
long walks for the boys who didn't
own gas buggies; some hungry hours
for the housewife who forgot to stock
the lardcr on Saturday; some evenings
of torture for the movie fends
nicotine wooers and the like Such an
objection is the best laugh of the
year
Nothing new in the Lajoie case.
Squire Ebbets is hopeful that the big
Frenchman will come around in time
Larry is quite as positive that he will
play nowhere but in indianapolis.
And Larry has enough money to quit
the game rather than be dictated to-
Jim McGil has not desnaired of
securing Lajoie's services. He is pre-
pared to take the case to the National
Commission. One thing seems certain.
Lajoie is not likeIy to remain in
Toronto, where ne was so popular
after giving the Canadians a champion
ship team. The split between him and
McCatfrey is far too wide to bridge
now.
Five Pros Tie in Big