Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-12
SPORTS OF ALL SORTS
Discordant Note on the
American National Board.
TAYLOR THE CAUSE
CHAIRMAN HERMANN ALSO SAYS
PITCHER Is DISHONEST.
Many Bowling Battles - Golf at Pine
hurst-Late Fight News
Base Ball Notes.
taylor THE CAUS

special from Cincinnati says that, as
was anticipated. the meeting of the nation
al commission. which was concluded yes
terday, has been productive of more food
for gossip and speculation than any base
ball affair since the peace compact was
signed For the first time too. since that
compact became operative, a discordant
note was struck ON the American and Ma
tional harmony board.
But the real live sensation was sprung by
Mr. Hermann who, at the conclusion of the
meeting announced that upon his return to
Cincinnati he would tender his resignation
as chairman of the national commission.
Yesterday. however. Mr.. Hermann refused
positively to discuss the matter. nor to as
sign the reasons which prompted his decla-
ration. But while Mr. Hermann himself
would not vouchsafe the reasons which i'm
PEELED his surprising declaration to Presi-
dent Johnson. the Cincinnati newspaper
men took it for granted that it was the
outcome of the argument in the Hart-Tay-
lor affair. Mr.. Hermann appeared to be
mildly offended because Mr.. Johnson had
not followed the usual procedure in cases
brought before the commission for adjudica
ton He intimated that he and President
Pulliam had been sighted inasmuch as they
had not been furnished with the evidence
in the case. Mr.. Johnson disclaimed any in
tention of sighting either Mr.. Hermann or
Mr.. Pulliam and declared that the signed
statement of Mesrs. Hart and Comiskey,
together with the iatters letter to Mr.. Her
mann on the subject, formed prima facie
evidence enough to justify the beginning
OF the investigation asked for.
There was not the slightest bit of feeling
shown by either gentleman in discussing
the Hart case, although they did have a
rather warm tilt In the debate on the
drafting proposition. But the argument
never bOrdered ON the stage that would
cordial relations that have existed between
the two since and long before Mr. Hermann
broke into base ball.
Hermann's Position,
If Johnson is placed in a delicate position
by reason Of his close personal relations
with Comiskey, Hermann's position is still
more delicate. Johnson's acts will not be
so closely scrutinized as will those of Her
manns, for the reason that they will be
regarded as those Of an advocate. On the
other hand, Mr.. Hermann is the just judge
who must decide the merits of the case as
presented by Johnson for the American
League, and Pulliam for the National. If
Hermann occupied the same position to-
ward the base ball world as did A. G. Mills
previous to the reinstatement of Glasscock
and Denny, nearly twenty years ago. his
task would be far easier one. Mr.. Mills
was never interested in any club. He was a
strong. positive character, who believed
that the conditions imposed upon the play
ers by their contracts and the national
agreement should be enforced to the letter.
So, when during the union revolt in 1884
Glasscock and Denny were reinstated after
being blacklisted for jumping their con-
tracts by the club owners, Mills promptly
resigned his position as president of the
National League.
Hermanns task would be- far less trying
If he had the same free foot. AS it is he
will be between the upper and neither mill
stones, with the likelihood of being damned
by the Nationals if he does and damned
by the Americans If he doesn't. 1t is Ger
tainly an embarrassing position in which
to place any man; not that he wants to es-
cape the responsibilities of the position
which was thrust upon him and the duties
of which he has discharged with such signal
ability and fidelity But red blood courses
through his veins, his sympathies and
friendships are naturally with those with
whom he is most closely associated, the
National Leaguers. ana it would grieve him
to be compelled to hand down a decision
rejecting upon one of their number.
On the other hand, his sense of fairness is
such that he could do nothing else if in his
judgment the facts warranted him in find
ing in favor of the American League. If
Mr.. Hermann should formally tender his
resignation as chairman of the commission,
although 1t is good betting that he will not,
1t won't be because of any difference he has
luctance to take any chance of doing any
thing which might be tmpugned by his
friends in either of the big organizations
You may put a large-sized rivet right here.
Unsavory Taylor Case
IL 49,