New-York tribune., 1919-12-08
American, National and
international Magnates
to Meet This Week
By w. J. Macbeth


rather, series of conferences-that or
ganized baseball has witnessed since
the peace conclave which eliminated
the Federal League, is scheduled for
Manhattan the current week. The an
nual meetings of the National, Ameri-
can and New International leagues will
occupy the undivided attention Of the
magnates, great and small.
Chief interest for the moment, of
course, centers in the row that has dis
turbed the usually placid American
League family ever since President Ban
Johnson suspended Pitcher Carl W.
Mays, Of the Yankees, last August. At
the time these lines are written it is
not known whether President Ban John
son and five clubs owners will answer
the call Of the board of directors for
the annual meeting of the American
League In this city. 1t is known some
OF Johnson's supporters believe 1t
would be good policy to carry their
fight to New York. And so Gotham may
see the finish of the Battle of Injunc-
tions.
New York is threatened with real
thrilling week of winter baseball. The
big town is going to get an unusual
On those rare occasions when both ma
jor leagues have met in New York--and
it has been the custom to hold the
spring schedule meetings of both
leagues here--the "sticks" invariably
have had heavy representation. And
just now there is better excuse than
ever before for the little fellows to
come on for the Christmas shopping.
Minors Abrograte Agreement
At their annual meeting in Spring
field, Mass, last month the minor
leagues decided it would be to their
best interests to resurrect some sort
of working agreement with the major
leagues, if possible. The old peace
agreement which ended the war between
the National and American leagues
back in 1903 was abrogated at the be-
hest Of the minors last winter.
One years experience has taught the
lesser minor leages, at least, the ad-
vantage of close relations with the ma
jor leagues. The split came about be-
cause the minor leagues believed it
would be to their advantage to have
the privileges of draft barred to the
major league clubs. Minor league
drafting on leagues of lower classif
cation was to obtain and at greatly in
hated prices.
But that drafting never did mate
rialize. The large minors decided they
could lie back and wait for major
league cast-offs. So there was prac-
tically no drafting whatever. The little
fellows, who depend on the player mar
ket to make both ends meet, conse-
quently were left in the lurch.
In breaking with the major leagues
the minors practically effected "gen-
the big fellows in "opiton rccall' chat
tells. But this was one Of those rules
that are made to be broken. Like the
proverbial salary limits, the scheme
was practically disregarded under
cover. SO that none of the expected
reforms developed for the little fell
lows, who lost on the side the hum
dreds Of thousands Of dollars the ma
jors were in the habit Of expending in
the draft each season.
May Pick New Chairman
The committee appointed by the
National Association to re9stabish q
working agreement with the major
leagues is anxious to make diplomatic
advances as early as possible. For this
ryeason it is hoped to effect an OPEN
ing this week, when all of the major
magnates are expected here. Further
more, the probability of both major
leagues meeting in this city may afford
an opportunity for the Joint committee
to make some progress on its work of
selecting a successor to Chairman Au
gust Hermann, of the National Com
mission. 1t is with the commission
the minor leagues committee will have
to treat on the ratification OF any peace
agreement that may be effected.
The American League fight calls for
no further discussion here. If staged
in this city it will furnish the big eli
max Of the week, as the American
League meeting is the last of three
scheduled. The annual meeting of the
New international League will be held
at the Hotel Imperial this morn
ing at 10 o'clock. Having established
ed by Binghamton, the league is still
The future Of Newark is cloaked in
doubt. Promoters of The Bronx would
like to take over this franchise. Such
move would be welcomed by the rest
of the league, but it would entail the
unanimous consent Of the sixteen ma jol
league club owners and so is scarcely
to be reckoned remote possibility.
The American League will probably
have to furnish all the fireworks this
year. The National has become the
docile family. There is not even 20 be
the thrill Of an annual election in the
parent organization, for at the last
meeting John A. Heydler was elected te
years. From what may be observed al
long range it is the plan of the Ma
tional League club owners to make
whatever capital possible out of the
American League fight. This can bes
be done by the closest cooperation.
Charles H. Ebtets, president of tn,
Brooklyn club, will champion numbel
of reforms Of course, he intends
once more to submit his old scheme fo
the drafting of minor league players
tpresuming, doubtless, that nev
agreement will be effectedl. Thi
scheme. in a nutshell, is to give frs
choice in the draft to the eighth plac,
clubs of each major league, and thel
in succession from seventh place club
up to the pennant winners, continuin,
in rotation until all of the draft eligi
bles have become exhausted.
Ebbets will also propose thre
amendments to the National Leagu
constitution. Section 33 he would sup
plement in order to fix a severe penalt,
for tampering by or with a playe
under contract to another club. H
would provide fine of 81 900 for tn
first offense and expulsion from tn
National League for a second offense,
Section 35 Ebbets would amend so a
to change the National League waive
price from $1,000 to $2.500 He woul,
change Section 46 so that it would b.
unlawful for any club of the league t,
sell player to another after May
each season instead of after August q
aH at nresent