Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-05
TREND IS TOWARD
BASE BALL PEACE
Committee Is Apt to Treat
With Big Loops in New
s. York Next Week.
BY HERBERT w. BARKER,
Associated Press stan Writer.

n - ONTREAL, December 81
Mt A definite move toward
IVA peace between the major
leagues and the big minors
appeared imminent today as the
annual convention Of the Ma
tional Association Of Professional
Base Ball Leagues entered into
It's closing stages.
CLOSE observers Of the bitter fight over
tlae draft question between the two
groups expected the next chapter in the
controversy would be written ak New
York next week at the joint major
league meeting. That 1t would be q
step In the direction Of peace seemed
clear enough here, although no one was
willing to say on what basis o possible
oomprumise might be reached.
The first indication that the situa-
ton had completely changed and left
the rival factions In Q position to get
together with view toward Q perma-
when the three class IA leagues, the
international and Pacific Coast and
American Association, announced the
appointment Of q standing committee
Of nine, three from each league, en-
powered TO act at any time the Ma
tionai and American Leagues should
wish TO discuss the draft.
Action Significant.
This action, coming less than ~
hours after what appeared to be Q wide
open split between the two groups, was
o. particular significance. No repre-
sentative of the minor league group was
willing to say what had led TO the ap-
pcintment Of the committee, but It was
fairly observed that some major league
club .ownerg had indicated that they
we're opposed TO q war with the minors
md that there seemed TO be no reason
Why O compromise should not be
reached.
The minors action left them fully
prepared to enter into any negotiations
That may be desired by the majors. It
was emphasized. however, that the first
move would have to come from the
majors. The IA leagues believe they
did their share In bringing about 3
possible settlement when they offered
to reopen negotiations provided the ma
tors reconsidered their decision to dig
continue all business relations with the
non-draft circuits as of December /.
This proposal brought replies from
National and American Leagues that
there was no chance Of the majors
backing down.
War Might BE Costly.
The consensus was that several Of the
major league owners, here to attend
the minor league convention, had point
ed out that q war between the two
groups might develop into costly
Mt4 - anSsn,
They were believed to have told
the minors that however far apart the
two groups might appear to be, there
was no reason why some compromise,
agreeable TO both, might not be reached.
It was generally believed the minors
were ready 70 accept the draft provided
the two groups could decide upon q
draft price high enough to suit the
minors and low enough TO satisfy the
majors.
The minor leagues Committee Of
OF Buffalo, N. Y; George M. Weiss Of
Baltimore and j. Ernest Savard Of Mon
treal, all Of the International League;
II. w. Lane Of Hollywood, A. Robert
Miller Of Oakland and Charles a. Gtrub
Of San Francisco, representing the Pa
ctfic Coast League, and Bob Connery of
ct. Paul, George X. Belden Of Mime
ApoliS ana George =. Muehlebach ct
Kansas City, all Of the American Asso-
citation.
As for the National Association itself,
most Of its business was transacted yes
terday and little remained to be accom-
piighed before the convention closes to-
night. West Baden, Ind, was selected
for the 1881 convention, and the Ma
tional Association agreement, under
which the association gains its authority,
was renewed for one year instead of the
customary 10.
This was at the request of the IA
leagues, which did not wish to be tied
down to O long agreement until they
have settled their differences with the
majors. The election Of officers was de-
ferred until the next convention. when
It Is hoped the national agreement can
be renewed for 10 years.
Several amendments were made 10 the
matur-minor rules, the most interesting
being one providing Tor the insertion
IA O players contract Of clause for
bidding him to participate In profess
sional boxing or professional wrestling.