The Washington times., 1930-12-12
SPLITS
+. TWO SIDES
AS|JNDER
By JAMES L. KILGALLEN

ball, Americas national pastime,
was definitely split today into
two warning factions.
A war" involving the most
important leagues in the country,
has been declared. On one side
are arrayed the two powerful
major leagues-the National and
the American-and on the other
are the five 'big Minors" namely:
The American Association, the In
ternaticna1 League, the Pacific
Coast League, the western League
and the Three Eye League.
It is a mighty battle Of dollars,
all over what is technically
known as the universal draft, and
before it is over one side or the
other conceivably may lose thou
sands Of dollars, If not millions.
The little feI1Ows-&he
minOrs-departed for their
homes this morning threaten
ing to form an alliance that
in effect would constitute the
creation Of = third major
league.
Now that they have split, both
sides are very bitter against each
other. They could not reach an
agreement on this controversial
problem which so vitally affects
their pocketbooks, but which GER
tainly will stir no tremendous
emotions among the bleacher Gus
toners.
Trade at StandstiH
What the fans wanted to read
about was news of trades, and
this draft business put an end to
the inter-league transactions.
Yet there were. "a couple Of
deals. ''Chief" Bender, the old
Indian pitcher with the Phila-
delphia Athletics, was signed by
Manager John j. McGraw, Of the
New York giants. as a coach Of
pitchers. The Toronto club Of
the International League traded
Fred Bedore to the Columbus
club Of the American Association
for Johnny Morehart. Both are
second baSeme1.
The war" between majors and
minors was somewhat Of o sur
prise. Belief had been general
that peace was near. However, a
committee Of nine representing
the five non-draft leagues met
with the majors who were in
Joint session and, after q long
and acrimonious discussion, the
big fellows said to them: 1--WE
can't accept your terms" And
the war" was on.
Charles III. Strub, president
Oe the San Francisco club,
and spokesman Of the minors,
was quite indignant after the
meeting, rs were all the
others on his committee.
I'VE feel that the break means
the creation Of q new major
league" Strub told newspaper
men.
Strub explained that the five
important minor leagues that split
with the majors represent impor
tans acitieS from coasts to CCGst;
tllaA top-notch bali players will bE
Just as accessible to them as tG
the majors, if not more. so, and
that i'm two or three years thu
players in the ''big minors" viii
actually be ''big leaguers"-just a
capable in every respect as those
playing in the National and Ameri
can Leagues. ...
Crave World Series Play
He declared that he hoped the
majors would recognize this condi
ton and give us world series com
petition"
When all hope Of peace haC
disappeared, the minors Offered
to put the entire situation in thu
hands of KeneSaw M. Lands
high commissioner Of baseball
The major objected to this pro
cedure and Lands, according tV
the little fellows, spoke UP ant
said that inasmuch as both side
were far apart on the draft ques
tin he did not believe mis- gooC
offices would result in any good
Therefore. he declined to TAX
over the problem.
Ernest s. Barnard, president O
the American League, whom tn
minors said was the spokesman
for. the majors and whose att
tude they described as arrogant,
was unruffled today over tn
breakup of negotiations.
Asked by international New
Service II he had any regrets d
the splitup in the baseball family
Barnard replied:
None whateyee.''