New-York tribune., 1919-01-14

rived at the stage of the "show-dow
mo a thorough reconstruction along
lift in what little peace is left to the
,sms resulting from the Federal Lea!
Nothing less than the thorough over-%
hauling snd housecleaning of the
entire edfce OF the organized game,
from cellar to garret, IS contemplated,
If half of the recent declarations of the
movers, great and small, are to be
taken at face value.
One of the most important problems
nm for solution has to do with the
fountain head-the National Commits
sion. which is the court of last resort
in baseball politics and law A radi
csl element which dominates the
National League (indeed. it is declared,
unanimously and which has found
craving favor in the American League
IS well. seems determined to effect
startling change in the very seat of
this particular government.
Pledged to Change
The National League has pledged it
self to repudiate the present form of
commission. at least in so far as the
existing chairman is concerned per-
sonally. The American League, out
side President Ban Johnson, now ap-
pears of kindred kidney. This is the
big point of the impending, preten-
tious powwow and is of exceptional i'm
pOrtance, because at the moment of
writing the big family of minor leagues
appear as vitally concerned in the out
come as are the more financially
heavily involved majors.
Yet vital as is this National Com
mission issue, for the moment at
least it sinks into secondary impor.
tance, at least temporarily. There are
ether issues first to be thrashed out
that cannot fail to have a most i'm
portant bearing on the ultimate dis
position of the democratic baseball
government desired. And these pri-
mariy concern the more obscure of the
promoters-the minor leagues, which
feed the mill of major activities.
The minor leagues, indeed, have the
honor Of inaugurating this most i'm
pOrtant of all baseball conferences vet
held. and as BELTS its rank the New
International League, which alone of
all the minors, completed its schedule
az originally outlined in 1918, will first
nave the floor.
The International League will con-
yene. this morning at the Hotel I'm
persl, with President David L. Fultz
in the chair for the first time. At this
meeting it is expected that plans for
reorganization will be definitely adopt,
ed.
At the moment, while the future of
thls powerful minor appears excep-
tlonaly bright, there is some slight
hitch IN the matter of circuit claims.
Two Or three of the cities represented
last year, after old standbys like Provi-
Senec and Montreal had decided to.
crop out, are anxious to tackle the
Proposition again this season, in spite
u nnanclal dlscouragements OF 1918,
,eeilng that the amusement business is
0ounc to boom with peace in prospect
Would Drop Weak Sisters
Other club owners are desirous of
cropping the weak sisters and substi-
'utlng representatives from cities of
greater population and business oppor-
uhlties, keeping all eye meanwhile
I9ward compactness of circuit. In any
event. Buffalo, Toronto, Baltimore,
sewark and jersey City will be in the
field again.
1t is believed Rochester, too. will
6s represented through President
/ Caspin Is not in complete harmony
sIth certain of the policies of this
vlass IA organization 1t has been
iumored repeatedly ana as repeatedly
| oenied that Providence is anxious to
| get back higher classif cation. Provi.
SWeace having broken away from the
aew international League last year to
'ass IN Its lot with the Eastern League
| me international promoters will
nave no difficulty in assuring them
7slSes strong circuit Of eight clubs.
| me Dlg problem lies in the matter of
I SJs.aso'hg wisely from the many candi-
Sargs Ior the few open berths
me New international League, how
| eser, quite as much as the various
osner minor associations With repre-
ssnea ssn.a.lon here for the big doings, is
1 s'ncerned IN the various proposals for
! isHef that will be asked of the major
ssgue. AS such, in a body, the inter
..suonai delegates will attend this af
s.noon's meeting of the Ma ional AS
/ ipg;i..auon, or minor league, at the Hotel
:, from the smatterings of comment
.aas could be heard On the part of the
| ,.asiy arrivals of the minor delegates
~. Natl<nai Association as a whole is
/ W. seI quite clear upon what it does
4 m, -; .'i4~ way OF reform. JO-day'S
/ s'. ,a..enhg Is expected to develop a clear
| Ses ~icy- Yet the minor leagues are
ssaa set upon two points. They wish
/ az from existing conditions of
| 80. "a OF Layers by major league clubs
| So 80 they also desire representation on
wy National Commission, il the peace
ssssement Is to be amended SO that
1 H. e governing board dispenscs Justice
| "aJor and MINOR leagues alike.
FuItz Favors Draft Change
| oayId /. Fuitz, the new president Of
- Hew International League, de-
,.see yesterday that he was not pre-
f~SIa 70 talk for publication before
a.. ..aa consulted his colleagues on the
,sss.. su9Ject. but it was his ,pinion
a., ms y que would ask, and il neces
eT;s oerand, radical modification Of
cal'ng draft rules. Joe Tinker, of the
saAous' who Is one of committee
.se.a.ie sasee appointed BY the National AS
f,.-ayh 10 confer with the National
.ser.n 'ssion On proposed draft amend
ioas s"afoed III MS decIara-
r,,ttae tae American Association" said
S.axsr will not tolerate cxjxfina
rsss 49, conditions even il the alternative
ns yss..s a split with the rest OF the or
mn,s mea baseball family. The draft
tss 20, st least be modified 80 that if
tss4saa !ors retain this privilege their
ejpss WIZ be confined TO Class A A
d,s.s: Is felt that the elimination Of the
ZION ehtlreiy would give the profes-
bIarls e .aas'n Tor complaint, az IL would
fsss sns present avenue 10 develop
" ysso nno advancement. But leagues