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Show I8ISI0I MAY IT STUY II THE MAJORS Poor Patronage Since the Declaration of War Alarms Moguls. NEW YOKK, Pppt. ?. Wasliinfton l'.ns ilcvelcpeA into such a weak sister financially that tlio American league must shoulder heavy losses or find a new home for the senators. In the past years the nation's capital capi-tal lias never been a red-hot baseball town, yet before the war there was enough interest in baseball thero to warrant the juuior major league in re-taitiintr re-taitiintr its "Washington territory. But since L'nele Sam shouldered his musket and stepped into tiie world-wido fracas the ood oflk in Washington are so deeply occupied with other matters that "their iniimacv with baseball consists con-sists chiefly of gianeing at the scores. Under such conditions 1'resideut Ben Minor can see nothing but rocky reefs ahead of his club, and it is only natural that Minor, as well as Ban Johnson and other American leaguers, should be casting about for a new home for the Washington club. Ban Johnson stated some time ago that, the thought of moving the Washington franchise was absurd. Ha said the idea of moving the national pastime from tho nation's first city was a frivolous one. But it takes something besides sentiment to keep a ball eliio going, and Washington Washing-ton is a heavy loser so far this season. Well-informed baseball men predict that before the season of 101s rolls around the Washington franchise will be moved. It is whispered that the American league has its eyes on Toronto, To-ronto, and also on Brooklyn, where use could be made of the old Federal league park. The fact that exhibition games between maior league teams have been played in Toronto this season as late as two weeks ago indicates that tho powers that be in baseball are feeling out Toronto fans. An argument against, putting a major league club in Toronto because of C anada's an-ada's active part in the war has been advanced, yet, according to President Barrow, of the International league, Toronto To-ronto has proven itself to be one of the best paving cities in his circuit. Moving the Washington franchise will necessitate the invasion of new territory by the American league, and before such a move can be made tho consent of tho league whoso territory is to be invaded must be got. It is whispered around TCow York that Ban Johnson has already made arrangements with the International league to invade. Toronto in caso such a move should bo deemed advisable, and that through an arrangement with President K'hbots, of the Dodgers, sanctioned by the club owners of tho National league, the way has been paved to include Brooklyn in the American league circuit. Bevolop-ments Bevolop-ments during the. coming fall and winter win-ter will have much to do with the final decision and should the war come to an end suddenly, tho Washington club may stick whore it is now. |