The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-11-09
WAR DECLARED IN
ORGANIZED BASEBALL
CONTINUED from page IL

IneSe players, SHloe SalQ, WOuio
be taken for the three American clubs
to be created, even if court action
was necessary.
He pointed out that, under the
, rules of the American league. players
and franchises belong to the league.
| and not to the clubs, and that the
three boiling clubs forfeited all
rights to their players when they
withdrew.
Branch Hickey, vice president Of
the St. Louis National league club, de-
Iclared baseball war now is i'll adj
|yised and pledged the Cardinals to
peace at any reasonable price"
]. Cal Ewing, representative Of the
Pacific Coast league, said he believ-
ed the minors would favor appointing
a committee of three to confer in
formally with the two major league
committees. Ewing was opposed to
the minors taking sides before the
majors settle their differences.
First Battle Today.
IBy J. F. Beaman, United Press Staff
Correspondent
KANSAS CITY, Mo-, Nov. 81
The first battle in the newly declared
war Of baseball was foughtthe to-
day when representatives OF the
twelve-club league and of the Ameri-
can league bid for the recognition
OF the minors.
The National Association Of Pro-
fessional Baseball Clubs, represent
ing all minor leagues, holding its an
nual meeting here today. occupied the
, most strategic position in its history
following the} split in the major Or
carnations over the method OF re-
organization OF baseball.
Ban Johnson, president OF the
American league, and committee OF
his five loyal club owners, arrived
today to present their case before the
minors
/. The committee consisted Of Presi-
dent Nayin. of the Detroit Tigers;
President Griffith, OF the Washing
ton club, and President Shibe, OF the
Philadelphia club.
Representing the new National
league organization of twelve clubs
were Garry Hermann, Cincinnati;
Barney Dreyfuss, Pittsburgh, and
Charles H. Ebbets, OF Brooklyn.
Attitude Of the minors toward the
new lineup in the majors was still
doubtful today. Al Tearney, presl-
! dent of the Western and the Three
Eye leagues, and recognized as one
of the powerful forces in minor
league baseball, opposed the Lasker
plan. Others took the stand that as
long as the major leagues had not
been able to agree on plans for re-
organization, the minors should take
no action.
ANY attempt to endorse the action
OF either major league faction would
cause similar split in the minors,
1t was held by Cal Ewing, OF the
Pacific Coast league. and others.
Thomas Hickey, president OF the
American association, like Tearney,
was plain spoken regarding the pro-
posed Lasker plan.
at will get mighty few votes from
the minors" Hickey said.
Dave Fnltz, president OF the inter
national league, who was standing
near, agreed.
NI believe the American associa-
tion will present solid front against
the Lasker plan," Hickey continued
.Tt seems to be the outgrowth OF a
Quarrel among American league cruz
owners. Until the majors settle their
ouarrels, they can ask the minors 10
take no sides"
Minor league officials believed
thew held the power to make" which
ever league they chose by the de.
cision on which faction they would
favor. They planned to use this
veapon to secure valuable conces-
sions in a new agreement sought Dy
tho rival major leagues.
The test of the attitude of the
minors was expected to come WIN
the fight for league leadership and
a proposal that club owners be gwen
a louder voice in proceedings. me
pacific Coast. Southern and, three
other leagues were reported COM
b;ned against the reelection OF rear
new and present league officials.
In addition to the twenty-six minor
leagues represented in the meeung'
representatives Of virtually every
American and National league club
uere nresent. active in lining up pro
nonents of their individual reorgani-
zation plans and talking deals and
trades of players.
Base Ball Side Lights.
KANSAS CITY, Mo-, NOV. S.-Lee
Foil and Clarence Rowlano WeEe GUS
ships favorites for the St LOUIS
Browns managership.
George Tebeau, former owner OF
fhe Kansas City Blues, passed the
word that Denver "is ripe" for
western league franchise.
Thirteen young players from the
Western league will go south with
the maio-s next spring-a record.
Larry Sutton, Brooklyn scout, and
Secretary Bancroft, Of the Reds. were
among baseball's old times mixing in
the Hobbies.
Like all conventions. the delegates
had to have badges, programs and