Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-06
CIRCUIT STRONGER
NOW, TOOLE AYERS
Minor President Expecting
Best Season Ever for
Reorganized Loop.

ny the Annotated Press.
NEW YORK., February s.-The las.
base ball meeting Is over. the ground
hog has jotted his name on the 1923
records and John Conway Topic. presi-
dent Of the International League,
thinks II is time 10 get ready for the
biggest year the diamond sport has had
In his territory. Today he expressed
the thought that. with Montreal back
in, the International would roll on TO
new heights during 1923.
This league is very old In name and
deed. but in spirit 1t is young and
IN its prime" said the big minor league
president. 1T started back in the
eighties and was known as the New
YORK State League, To be followed by
the Eastern ard then the International,
the New International and nov Just
! the International again.
Until this year We had for many sea-
sens only one club in Canada. But
Montreal's addition makes us more In
ternational in character.
Population in Circuit.
THE population Of the circuit this
year exceeds any we have ever had.
This population Is now better than
100000. With the completion Of a
great bridge fl Montreal and the build
ing Of street railways In Toronto even a
larger population will be available. for
these two engineering projects will bring
certain sections into closer proximity 70
base ball
The whole situation has now settled
down to thoroughly permanent basis
No city Is in any way Handicapped at the
start Of the 1928 season. In the past We
have had some such handicaps In the
matter Of parks or finances.
Every club is set for a good start
Players in hand az this time Of the year
Indicate a greatly strengthened league
We exceed in population both the
American Association and the Pacific
Cost leagues, and We believe We have a
stronger playing list than either Of those
leagues for the 1923 season.
Stars In Circuit.
we have men in this league who
would cut considerable figure In either
OF the major circuits. Such men rs
Southworth Of Rochester. Lamar Of
Newark. Cullop Of Buffalo In the out
field; johnson. Rip Collins and other
pitchers who have starred IN the
majors, Fournier at first, Dixon behind
the bat and others who have Just come
down to this league, would make a
formidable lineup IL gathered on one
big league club.
These men more than replace any
losses. There are men II The league.
too. who could make coed II the majors.
but are being held here 10 keep I'D our
strength. For instance. Jack Dunn has
Sheedy at first. Earnshaw IN the box
| and Porter in the outfeld. all OF major
league caiiber. though they have been
kept By Dunn in his desire to put the
| Orioles again on top.
"St3llings' return 10 Montreal after
short retirement helps. In fact. our
| managerial strength Is much better.
| II look for great race. II appears
| an open race. with several clubs. caal-
! longing Buffalo. Bill Ciymer has an
| other great team at Buffalo. probably
| stronger than last year. But even with
greater team re may find 1t hard to
| repeat. q
Paul Blocks coming into the league
as Newark ownsr. together with group
Of fine sportSrnen interested IN the Mog-
trcai club. means much 10 Us. We are
stronger in every way"