New-York tribune., 1920-01-30

for damages granted amounted to sol
"The powers of organized baseball,
by means of legal red tape, have been
able to stall off the inevitable. In the
mean time overtures have been made
TO the Baltimore malcontents in an cf
fort at compromise. To all these over
lures the Baltimore people have re-
turned one answer. They demand either
the money in full or big league
franchise for the Oriole City The
stockholders in question are mostly
sound business men who appreciate the
benefits that would be derived from
major league publicity.
National Ready to Pay
One of the most important topics for
consideration at the joint meeting in
Chicago will be this Federal League
suit. The National League year ago
voted to pay it's share of the verdict
but it is not believed the payment has
yet been made. 1t is understood
that President Johnson Of the Ameri-
can League, exerted his influence with
the National Commission to delay pay
ment.
1t is known that several club owners
of both the National and American
leagues would indorse a policy of big
league ball for Baltimore Certain poll
tcans of the Oriole City assured the
writer recently that if it were possible
to place major league club in Jack
Dunn's stronghold the city would toler-
ate Sunday baseball. The New Inter
national League club plays Sunday
games at present, but through the sub
terfuge of selling programs, which
really serve as admissions.
al ior
league franchise, however. might fur
ther disturb the tranquility of organ
lied baseball, for if any transferring
were to be done it is likely that both
leagues might desire to take advantage
of tie opening. The recent sale of the
Washington club precludes the posi-
bility of the Senator'S moving in the
immediate future, though just about
year ago the Washington stockholders
were practically resigned to a transfer
of the club to Toronto. Ont. 1t is felt
Philadelphia itself that this we'll known
25cent baseball town can scarcely sup
port one club let alone two.
Both the Athletics and Philles are
anything but popular at home. Connie
Mack, of course, has Shibe Park on his
hands. The Quakers are next to home
less and might be switched if William
T. Baker and his associates received
a profit on investment. The St. Louis
Cardinals have passed through many
precarious days. They were reorgan-
led recently, however, just about the
time everybody was expecting the own
ors to throw up the sponge.
ENJOYS From Oriole City
meeting will have envoys to talk bust
ness with the ma or league magnates.
Those interested in the project desire
nothing but q franchise and the play
ers therein represented. They will
provide the park and the bankroll, Of
course. The. declare that either league
could be bolstered by the addition of
baltimore, rapidly growing city of
population of some 500 O0OO They think
they will be able to prove to the big
leagues that a franchise. instead of the
money verdict, will be a matter of
great economy in the long run.
The major leagues are not alone in
hold-out troubles. Many of the ath-
letes of the Glass AA and Glass A
minors are kicking over the traces.
merly of the Red Sox, has jumped
Jack Henricks's indianapolis club to
play with semi-pro team near his
home town, Reading, Pa. Yerkes, it is
said further, is trying to sign a num-
ber of other oldtime big leaguers now
relegated to the minors
Before the waT there were FORT
seven leagues in the original baseball
family. During the war the mum Der
was reduced 20 fifteen. Naturally the
crop OF players was greatly affected
and when, in last years boom, most
OF the suspended minors resumed oper-
ations, It was imposs bic to reestablish
along the lines of old time class.
Shlpyards. steel works and the like
had established teams during the war;
IN the factory towns where baseball
was played on Saturdays and Sunda, s
1T was possible for the independent
promoters to pay fabulous salaries be-
sides securing jobs. For more than a
year craze for sports has swept the
country. Until the reaction takes place
magnates, great and small, are likely to
continue. to have all manner Of trouble
from hO1d-outs