The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-11-08
PEACE OR WAR IN BASEBALL
WILL Be DECIDED TO-DAY
Separate Meetings of Two
Factions In Reorganization
Conference Will He Held
Today - Preliminary Ses-
sions Sunday

Chicago. Nov. T.-Whethcr war is to
break into the major baseball leagues
or the dove of peace Is 10 continue to
soar above the professional ranks Of the
national game probably will be decided
here tomorrow when separate meetings
of the two factions in the proposed regu-
lattOn OF baseball.
To-day preliminary conferences were
held by both Sides. President Ban John
son. OF the American League. met with
Clarke Griffith. Of the Washington club
and Connie Mack. OF the Philadelphia
Americans, the other three members OF
what Johnson terms the loyal five"
failing to appear. They are expected to
be here Tomorrow, however, for the
league meeting which President Johnson
has called. Meeting L few blocks away
with John Heydler, president OF the Ma
ttonal League, were thirteen representa-
tireS OF National League clubs. TO-mOr-
row they will hold another meeting.
The National League men. with the
Chicago. New York and BOSTON Am"ri-
in favor OF the civilian tribunal of
three financially dis,ltcrcStcd men as
the controlling body of professional
baseball, conferred from o'clock until
late tonight. Only brief recess for
supper interrupted the meeting.
1t was known that methods Of avert
ing war were discussed by the Ma
tional Leaguers. but there was appar-
emily no let-up III their determination TO
force reorganization OF the game, or
else to form.a l@-club league without the
five American League clubs which. with
President Johnson, 80 far have refused
TO approve the Lasker plan, which Is
fostered by the National Leagucrs
President Heydlcr said after the meet
| Ing that the situation was tho Same
now as when the eleven clubs signed
their agreement 10 for a l2-club league
II the other five American League clubs
did not join in the reorganization.
The door is open" he said. TO the
five American League clubs. If they
want to Join our meeting tomorrow We
shall be glad TO have them. Any action
at that meeting will be decided by a
majority vote and we shall stand by
such action TO the end. It's either case
OF the American LeaguerS joining us
or forcing us TO form a new league.
After the National League meeting
Representations OF the three American
League clubs siding with the National
Leaguers met with them and outlined
was taken.
President Heydler tonight said that
while most Of the major league own
crs would attend the meeting of the
minor league clubs in Kansas city
Tuesday. any action taken by thhc mi
nor leagues would have no bearing on
the plans OF the eleven clubs which took
the first steps toward reorgantzatiun
. Il think the major leaguers should
govern their affairs and the minor
leagucrS theirs" he said.
president Johnson and the Washing
tom Philadelphia, Cleveland. Detroit and
ST. Louis American League clubs have
said that they were not opposed TO some
sort Of reorganization of the game but
apparently are opposed to the lasker
plan. which takes control out OF tho
hands Of club owners. managers and
players. In this connection they cite tho
report of the special Cook county grand
jury which investigated the baseball
scandal. The jury reported that II be-
lieved the men now in control of the
game could keep ii above suspicion, a
belief apparently held by President
Johnson and his hackers.
Besides the special conferences to-day,
the major league magnatcs also CONFER
red with numerous minor league presi-
dents and managers enrout" to Kansas
cav for the minor league meeting Tues
day.
Many persons hc!iev" that this meet
INK may decide the futur" Of baseball
for Il Is admitted that III" party which
obtains the backing of the minors Will
have a considerable advantage. Those
attending the meeting to-day with Mr..
Heydler wcr" william V"cck. \. D. Las
ker and William WriGley. Jr., Of tho
Chicago club: Garry Hermann. of Gin
cinnati; J. &. Jones, Samuel Brcadon and
Branch Hickey. OF ST. Louis; Barney
Dreyfuss. Of Pittsburgh; W. II. Baker,
OF Philadelphia: Charles EbbetS, or
Brooklyn, and John MCGraw and Charles
Stoneman OF New York.