New-York tribune., 1919-01-16
Threaten to Disrupt Big Pas
Baseball Strike Nay FoUosU Re- fxsaI TO Meet
Demands of Association for Reforms
Major Magnates Have I'm
til 6 p. NJ. Friday to Ac-
cept Conditions Named

turn-baGks from the majors would be
shaved down to the minimum But
the minor league operators argue that
such a system would rid the game of
Its worst existing evil, the farming"
OF players or putting them out under
terms of optional recall. Furthermore,
players claimed would not be taken
from minor league clubs during the
heat of the penant races.
Most of the major league magnets
refused to discuss this latest ultima
tum from the National Association, by
far the most serious threat that has
emanated from the little fellows since
organized baseball's big family was
1irst Incorporated under the peace
agreement. At the time the National
League meeting adjourned, of course,
no official notification had been pre-
sented of the minor leagues ultima
tum. A few of the big fellows, when
given an outline of the demands. were
inclined to believe the matter more or
less joke. Most of them thought the
minor leagues somewhat cheeky TO de-
mand so much, while Offering so little
IN return.
Guess We'll have to stake the minor
magnates to the minor leagues" bant-
cred John J. McGraw. manager and
new vice president of the Giants.
Colonel Jacob Rupert, president of
the New York Yankees, alone of the
Johnson henchmen on hand offered an
opinion.
Il think now the minor leagues get
more out of the majors than the majors
could ever hope to get out of the
minors" said the Colonel
Personally, | am very much opposed
to the elimination of the draft or the
refutatlon of the optional recall. Good
young ball players must be developed
and cannot be developed to best ad-
benches. 1t is necessary for major
leabue clubs to be permitted to farm
out certain of their chattels. Therefore,
II 1T Is found impossible to carry on
business with the minor league as
heretofore, the major leagues will have
to start minor leagues of their own"
Important Baseball Meeting
With the impending ultimatum on its
hands to-day's joint conference Of the
National and American leagues. which
will be called at the Hotel Biltmore at
2 p. M, appears the most important
baseball meeting of the past decade
AS yet it has not been decided who
viii preside. Possibly the honor may go
to Ban Johnson because of his seniority
Inc minor league magnates so seri-
ously regard the situation that an effort
will be made to have the many dele
gates here attend in body. AS yet
definite arrangements have not been
made. 1t is understood that the major
leagues expect only a small delegation,
presumably a committee of three, to
present the case Of the minors No one
would venture guess as to what might
develop in case the little fellows in
sisted upon attending in body. 1t is
the opinion OF the minors, of course,
that they can present much stronger
appeal if permitted the privilege of the
open house" policy of procedure.
The American eague will hold a
meeting this morning at the Hotel Bilt-
more. President Ban johnson was ex-
pected IN town yesterday afternoon.
hut up to late hour had not been
/ seen.
The minor leagues represented at
yesterdays war council of the Natonal I
Association were: international, Amer
lean Association, Pacific Coast. West
crn, Southern Association, Texas. East
ern, Northwestern, Central, Virginia
and Western Canadian.