It was created as a direct result of the Great Depression as a way to allow ice hockey teams to operate without having to pay its players.
[1] In the wake of 1929 stock market crash, the depressed economic situation across the country caused problems for many businesses.
The St. Paul Saints, unable to continue paying its players, was forced to suspend operations in 1930.
After the first year, the league switched from amateur to semi-professional status, meaning that while teams were now able to pay their players, they were not required to do so at expected rates or intervals.
While no official reason was given for its discontinuation, the CHL began drifting back towards the American Hockey Association in 1934.