Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-25
QUIETLY co ABOUT
BREAKING TRUSTS
Would Limit Each Club to
One Farm-Card Policy
Causes Criticism.
BY JOHN b. FOSTER.

N YEW YORK, July 25.-Prepa-
rationS are now under way
Y in the major leagues to do
away with the chain farm
system in organized base ball.
The plan that is being quietly dis
cussed by base ball men is to pre-
vent any big league club from
owning, having control of, or fur
nishing capital to more than one
minor league team of any one
classification.
Primarily this seems to be directed
against the st. Louis National League
club, with its connections in the Inter-
national League, the Texas League, the
American Association and other leagues
In reality it is directed against all clubs
that have interested themselves in
financial way in the various minor or
CARNATIONS.
The St. Louis Browns have a direct
investment in minor clubs. Cincinnati
did have one. 1t is insisted that the
Yankees have one, although there is
less assured evidence to support that
claim Brooklyn is backing the Hart
ford Club of the Eastern League. The
Giants control Bridgeport, Conn. The
Athletics are presumed to have given
aid to the Portland, Greg, club. Pitts
burgh has a business connection with
Wichita, and did control club in the
Southeastern League, and Cleveland had
extended connections with the minors,
but abandoned some of them.
Cardinals Well Stocked.
1t is believed the st. Louis Nationals
have more players under their jurisdlc-
ton than ever we're held before by any
club in base ball. These players are
properly transferred back and forth as
base ball law demands, but st. Louis is
always in the enviable position of being
able to put its own price on players to
other major league clubs and also to
retain huge reserve supply of players.
1t is asserted that the New York
Americans have a great reserve in base
ball, which is built up by arranging for
so-called first calls ON players. This
is legal enough as base ball law goes,
and is easier put into effect when
club has tremendous financial resources
as the Yankees have.
The Chicago Americans have trading
relations with some clubs, especially in
the Texas League. but they are nearer
the old-fashioned idea Of recruiting
than practically any other major organ
ization. Washington takes care Of
Chattanooga in the Southern Associa-
ton.
Reserve Club Plan Flop.
Many years ago, when the National
League found it difficult to get players,
as there were no scouts in those days
on the elaborate basis existing now, the
league adopted a system Of so-called re-
serve clubs. In effect this plan was
much the same as one suggested now,
except that the reserve clubs in the old
days formed league and played on the
National League grounds when the big
clubs were away.
The reserve club plan failed. Yet
from that idea originated all the plans
that have been in effect since.
II is contended that the st. Louis
Cardinals exert altogether too much in
f1uence on minor league affairs. The
success of st. Louis plan has been be-
yond the hopes of the st. Louis owners
and beyond the expectations of other
major league owners and that is what Is
causing criticism. Some major owners
insist the chain system savors too much
Of trust to be tolerated and base ball
is never eager to combat the trust issue.