The Washington times., 1930-12-08
BALL MEN GATHER FOR ANNUAL MAJOR CONVENTION
Quintet Upon Speed Buin Colrick Says
GR|FFS after
OUTF|ELDER
SAM BIRD

UnIII UnIU
NEW YORK, Dec. 8.-Baseball
men from coast to coast, some
Of whose names are household
words, were assembled today IN
New York where the National and
American Leagues will hold their
annual meetings this week. These
sessions of "the majors" follow
closely the convention last week
Of 'the minors" in Montreal.
From hospitable Montreal there
has descended upon New York
a horde of minor leaguers-own-
ers, managers, players, coaches.
umpireS and free agents" And
once again, the old familiar
scene of hotel lobby chatterlng
on q big scale is being enacted.
All the baseball regulars are gath
cred, standing first on one foot
and then the other, jabber1ng
away on their fayorite topic: The
national pastime.
With brOws corrugated, this
combination Of pOnderOuS
thought is out there on the
lobby floor talking player
deals, the jack-rabbit ball, the
epidemic Of home runs, the
universal draft, the eliInina-
tion of the sacrifice fly, the
= probable effect of the eco
nOmic situation on the 1881
baseball season and divers
other matters.
- Although the majors and
minors have been making war
like gestures at each other for
the past week there was a strong
feeling today that before the week
is over the dove Of peace VIII oe
seen lowering about and that
both warning factions will get
together ''for the good Of base
ball."
An informal conference between
the majors and the minors was
understood to be scheduled Tor
today, even though the majors
have declared "war" on five OF
the most important minor
leagues because of their refusal
to accept the universal draft
The majors had given the minors
to December !, to capitulate. The
five non-draft minor leagues re
fused to be '.intimidated" by the
big fellows, however, and as q
consequence all business relations
between the two factions have
been severed. The balky non
draft circuits are the American
Association, the international
League, the Pacific Coast League,
the Western League and the
Three Eye League.
The concensus Of well-in-
formed baseball leaders is
that q get-tOgether confer
ence between the majors and
the minors this week would
result in bringing the "war"
to an end. Before adjourn
ing at Montreal the minors
indicated q willingness to
reopen negotiations with the
majors providing, Of course,
that the big fellows were
not too dictatOriaI.
It is believed the non-draft
leagues are ready to accept the
universal draft provided the draft
price is set at around $4,000
and providing also that the
majors equalize a few other al
legged inequalities.
President Clark Griffith and
Secretary Eddie Eynon Of the
Washington club, are to entrain
to New York for the annual con.
yention tonight.
Griffith this morning admitted
that he did not expect to do
business but would welcome a
worthwhile proposition.
One report has it that Wash.
ington has designs on Sam Bird,
right hand hitting New York
Yankee outfielder who was alter.
mated with Dusty Cooke in left
field during 1880.
In order to get Bird, it is
further rumOred, the Griff-
men likely would sacrifice
Muddy Ruel, their veteran
catcher.
An outfielder and pitcher are
about all the washington club
needs. And, made the right
proposition, Griffith likely viii go
to any length TO get his men.
Former Gyrene Ace,
NoU HoyQ Cub,