On November 9, 1920, American League President Ban Johnson addressed the National Association of Minor Leagues at their Kansas City Convention. Speaking before his address, Johnson said “it was war to the finish” with the New National League and that the AL would place teams in the three cities currently occupied by the AL teams joining the new NL. In his speech to the minors:

“The American League does not come here with the thought of asking you to carry any of our burdens, ” President Johnson said. “There is a question as to whether there will be any serious difficulties to adjust, but I believe my position should be made clear. I think you should have equal power with the American and National leagues. We can offer you no more at this time. I have been authorized by our board of directors to request you to appoint a committee o three to meet a committee of the same number from the National and American leagues to reorganize the game, and all the differences should be swept aside in view of the serious condition that confronts baseball.”

New York Tribune

This was the first time in all his years running the American League that Ban Johnson showed up to speak at the minor league convention.

Note that all the baseball stories are in the news section of the paper, with two more stories on page seven. One of those talks about the never named fans who prefer the Lasker plan, the other involves a lawyer for the New NL saying that player contracts belong to teams, not leagues.

“We expect bitter court battles,” said one club owner, “but we have proceeded carefully and have no doubt as to the outcome. The new league is composed of the money making clubs and they are ready to spend every cent necessary to win.”

New York Tribune

Even in 1920, the big and small market teams clashed.