The Washington herald., 1921-12-13
Joint Meeting Offers Only
Chance For Readjustment
Jack Bentley, Oriole Star, Wants Chance in
Majors-National League Goes
Into Session Today.
" JAMES cRUsINBERRY.

NEW YORK. Dec. 12.-With at
least one and probably more minor
peague players demanding that
they be sold or released so they
may have a chance to advance to
she majors. the international
Leasue magnates in their session
here today stood firmly against@khe
draft the one sure means of the
susher to get up the baseball lad
der. 1t was the opinion of the
club owners that the action taken
IN Chicago last January when they
sjected the draft, was to stand
for seven years or during the life
of the present agreement under the
leadsr-hip of Judge Landis.
While they were in session 1t
was ssearned that Jack Bentley, star
pitcher of the Baltimore Club, had
demHnded OF Manager Dunn that
he be sold or else turned loose, as
he was convinced that he was a
major league performer and wanted
a chance to get into the big show.
Perhaps Dunn will offer the bung-
ster for sale. but with the cost of
ball players boosted to the skies
last week when MANAGER McGraw
of the Giants gave s75.OOOO for
James OConnell. of the San Fran
cisco Club IL is doubtful if any ma
Jor organization will meet the price
asked for Bentley.
The only chance for a change in
conditions will be in the joint meet
ing Of the majors and minors here
Thursday Some of the magnates
think il might be possible for the
two factions to reconsider their
action of a year ago and adjust a
drafting system that would be
agreeable to both sides.
May Boost Draft Price.
This might be done by raising
$500 or even more and permitting
class "A clubs to draft players
from all minor leagues below them
with proper adjustment of the
return price in case the player is
not kept.
Nacnates from all over the coun-
try were assembling today for the
meetings. but the session of the
international League was the only
formal business attended to. To-
morrow afternoon I'D National
League will go into session. The
American League club owners will
meet Wednesday and the joint ses-
sion Of majors and minors with
Judge Landis presiding will be held
Thursday.
The air today was filed with talks
~ trades. but so far as could be
learned. only one deal was closed and
that was only the finish of one started
in September. The Brooklyn club
turned over Pitcher George Mohardt
and Outhelder Gene Sheridan TO Buff
falo in payment for Pitcher Ray
mond Gordinier, the young hurler
who was tried out by the Robins
in the closing weeks of last sea-
son. and showed enough promise to
he retained for next season
Yanks Framing Deals.
While the Yankee officials were
busy framing deals to get an out
fielder and pitcher, definite informa-
ton was not obtainable on just whom
they are after. One report was that
they wanted Harry Hooper. OF the
White Sox. and were willing to give
some players and a lot Of money. but
Louis COmisky. heir to the White
Sox, waved the idea aside when asked
about il.
We are ready to buy a good ball
player II there's a chance" he said.
but We aren't going to sell good
one"
President Veeck and Manager Kill
Ifer. Of the Cubs. denied a story that
broke into print to the effect that
Cincinnati wanted either Max Flack
or Turner Barber. both outfelders,
and was willing to give in ex-
change young Fonseka. the slug
ginC recruit of last year who per-
formed mostly at second base be-
fore Heinie Groh reported.
The Cub president was seen in con-
ference with President Baker. of the
Phillies. and was suspected OF franz
ing something. one wonders how
those two clubs could frame anything
that would help either. Seems as IL
nobody wants any of our players"
was the way Killifer put it. Guess
well have to get out Of seventh place
before We look good"
Connie Mack, the elongated boss
of the Athletics. was browsing
about. AS usual. Connie was not
loquacious. but admitted that Joe
DUgan was the only one of his
players who was on the market.