Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-01-15
MAJORS AND MINORS
 STILL "SCRAPPING'
Developments in Baseball; i; Nationals Sold; McGraw Boosted From Manager to Magnate.

sSenShllOIldl tJeVempHehtS Ill lSdSeuaus Nationals Sold; McGraw Boosted
 From Manager to Magnate. New York, aJn. 14.-Sensational developments ushered in the week oe baseball reconstruction work which began here today. The most important were:
 The New York National League Club, the best paying proposition in the Major Leagues. was sold. Negotiations for the purchase of the St. Louis Nationals reached 2 stage where it appeared the property would soon change hands.
 Phe Major and Minor Leagues took lengthy council and strengthened their hands for the battle for and against the elimination of the draft.
 In it's far-reaching effect the con- test between the majors and the mn- ors was the outstanding feature of the day of conferences. Members of the big and little circuits were in session, formal or informal, all day and late into the evening. While the magnates of both groups were chary of information regarding the progress being made, it was evident that no common ground had been reached at a i late hour tonight.
 l The new international league, thru it's President, David l.. Fultz, announ- cel after long conference that the conscnsus of opinion was still strong ly in favor of the abolition of the draft and the league went on record to that el'"ect. Informal meetings of the American Association, Pacific Coast and other minor league magnates voiced the same decision and it was stated that the demands of these or ganizations would be drawn up for submission to the majors, at a meet ;i*g to be held early tomorrow.
 Sc far as could be gathered from t'.e lrGividual expressions of the big leaguers, they are not disposed 10 grant the demands of their 'i;:oole brctters, but are not adverse to com prnao sing the question.
 The attitude of the National League will be discussed at a meeting tomor- row. At least two big clubs in the league are not satisfied with n.ans mapped out for adoption within the next few days. Limitation of the club roster to eighteen players, restricted spring training periods, and even the 14O game schedule will be discussed and efforts made to change the tenta- tive arrangements made in these dir ections. The new owners of the New York club are said to be in favor of a more liberal policy and may advocate wider latitude on these and other pro- posed innovations.
 While the sale of the St. Louis Ma ! tionals is considered highly probable, such a deal could not be completed in time for the new stockholders to ap- paar at the conference. Information available tonight was to the effect that Russel E. Gardner, of St. Louis, in conjunction with James c. McGill, former owner of the Indianapolis, Denver and Springfield Clubs, had made what was considered very at tract;ve offer for the Cardinals.
 In tfe midst of the basball hubbub, the toard of arbitration of the Ma tional Association of Professional Leagues met this afternoon and dis posed Of number of cases, the prin- cira) one being the awarding of Tulsa, i Oklahoma, territory to the Western League, with a club assured from either Topeka or Hutchinson, for Tul- sa. while Portland and Seattle are sa',:: tc be slated for the Pacific Ccast L'ague again.
 Great interest was displayed in 'ke change of control of the New York Ginats. John J. McGraw, and his new partners, Charles A. Stoneham, and Judge Francis X. McQuade, were kept busy :.ll day receiving the congratu- la,iors of baseball magnates and fans both m this city and other points alorg the big and little circuits. The noted manager, now elevated to thc plane of magnate, received teloe. ams from friends in all patss of the country.