The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-11-24

Baseball Is preparing to solve It's
big winter problems and the sign OK
hope Is that the club owners and OHIO
ials are. for the first time in many
wears, approaching them IN a spirit OF
give and take, and with real desire
10 settle the big questions fairly.
minor leagues, especially the
International and the Eastern teSether
with several Of the mid-western minors
nre in n less SELFISH mood than they
have been and the major league mag
mites seem willing TO play square anu
give the little fellows lighting chance'
The minor league meeting at Buffalo
promises TO bringS some fair solution
of the drafting trouble, and an agree
ment which will settle the troublesome
situation.
The big minors consistently refused
10 permit drafting from their RANKS
and in spite OF the agreement OF the
little ones 20 permit drafting, the dratt
this fall was lighter than ever before
Some OF the small leagues expected
TO reap a fair harvest from dra'teu
PLAYERS. who still are on their hands
and not salaole.
The adjustment OF the draft problem
lis necessary. II the Class "A le'lS ues
stick 10 their program, II means tnat
they must develop steadily until theH
teams reach major league class Some
~ them really were. of as high caltber
10 inc major clubs last season. This
would be extremely desirable but FOR
two things: First. Il Is certain that the
minors cannot afford to pay major sal
or,es and. second. It t. certain that the
majors must have better ball players
or lose patronage. No player would De
willing 70 remain in Glass "A when ne
ooi,Id get higher pay II permitted to
advance.
As to Drafting Ruler.
There never was any serious oolec-
tIons to the drafting rule until major
league clubs abused II. The rule was !
wise one; il provided an opportunity Tor
plsyers 70 progress in their profession
and in salary. But contain major lea
go clubs discovered that the draft rule
CouId he made 10 Yield n profit. The GUS
tom Of drafting many players, with no
Thought OF using them on major teams.
Increased One season Charlie Murphy.
who owned the Chicago Cubs drafted
q small army from the minors 10 dis
pose Of At profit TO other teams. He
figured that the very fact that a major
club. especially a championship CLUB
had drafted a player added TO his value.
and he took a neat profit in his deal IN
\ live stock.
\ very naturally. this abuse OF the draft
rulss led TO rssentmeat among the
minor League owners. and. when ne
time came, they rebclled. But as soon
IA they were freed from the yoke % the
draft they proved themselves quite as
seltish as major owners had been. Their
Insistence upon holding ali their good
,Iayers has not worked out satisfactory
10 10 their leagues The richer clubs
can afford 20 keep players. the poorer
ones must sell their. stars 70 avoid
losses so that the minor leagues under
This arranccmcnt must grow more ami
more lopsided. and one-stded races
mean losses In the long run. Beyond
doubt the old draft rule made minor
baseball more interesting. for the rca'
son that the winning clubs lost their
stars each year and the process gave
the tai,-cnd club Of one season big
charc.. 20 be winner tho netx.
There is a big sentiment Just now In
favor OF mutual concessions for the
good OF the game.
=. Tho APPROACHING fall meetings OF the
Major leagues ara awaited with much
kercst II Is known that Judge LanlIS
n year OF experience at the head
orEanIzed ball. will come In with d
comrenda ton OF reforms more sweep
hg than anything the sport has known
In years The supreme head Of base
ball. has lot OF big ideas about the
Ybuslncss and he has been ''wised mp" u
many conditions which need amendment
1t is known that he faTors movement
for better understanding between play
ers and owners and for giving the play
ers n greater voice in tho government
Of the sport.
Players Had Best "C1imb Down"
II Is certain that unless tho player
climb down or their high horses and
submit themselves better 10 discipline