The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-04-17
CLUB OWNERS
CAN'T DODGE
STAHL CASE
Must Demand Decision From Commission
or Quit Cold Before Johnson Chance
to Make Good Former Statements.
By THOMAS S RICE.

That trouble is brewing among the
major league baseball moguls is evident
from a statement published this morn
ing from Garry Hermann.
The president Of the commission repeats
his declaration of Saturday that moth
ing has been done I'm the matter Of
deciding Jake Stahl's appeal TO the COM
mission for release from the Washing
ton club To those familiar with the
case il Is easy TO read between the
lines-Ban Johnson, president of the
American League. is holding out and
refusing to accept any other decision
than the one he wants. which would
be In favor of Stahl, and strike body
blow at the root Of organized baseball.
JOhnson's Idea.
It has been ten days now since the
case was heard before the commission,
Hermann and Johnson being present
at the meeting. and not only has no
decision been made, but Hermann
states that he cannot get action. and
reiterates his request that the Wash
ington club and Stahl settle their differ
ences between themselves. In other
words. Johnson is using his usual meth
DDS Of threatening and blunlng TO force
Hermann and Harry Pulliam, president
OF the National League. to agree 70
something which they and everybody
else familiar with the law OF the game
knows would be wrong.
There is another kernel 10 the nut
Johnson has probably assured Herr
mann that II the decision is held up
long enough he viii be able to force
the Washington club 10 release OF. trade
Stahl, and thus the commission viii
not have to make itself appear foolish
by rendering a verdict opposed to the
law and the facts. This is plainly in
timated by Herrmann's statement that
II the club and player do not agree the
commission win have 10 Investigates fur
Their
Hermann is well aware that no fur
ther investigation is needed and that his
putting il thus is merely another way
OF saying that. as a last resort. the
commission viii decided 10 override
Johnson or go on record as the most
weakened organization that ever ad-
Indicated a case
VIII Owners Be Cutters?
The Washington fans win watch with
intense interest the attitude which the
viii now have a chance to see whether
the club Is really owned outright by
local stockholders or whether it is
merely a pawn in the American League,
to be deprived OF its best players when
ever II is In danger Of winning too many
games and thereby creating too strong
an appetite here for a successful team.
and whether the club is TO be used as
a dumping ground for all the disgruntled
and WORKOUT players in whom johnson
has a personal interest.
When Messrs. Noyes. Minor, and Rap
ley obtained control il was announced
with a great fanfare Of trumpets that
the Johnson dictatorship in Washing
ton was at an end forever, and that the
new owners would even take chances
on losing money in the future if they
could build up a winning club here
Johnson was indirectly repudiated and
we were told every day in different and
attractive styles OF type that he could
no longer interfere with private affairs
in the Capital.
Test Has Come.
The test has come.
After the StahI case is definitely set
way or the other whether Nessrs
Noyes. Minor. and Rapley are clean
limbed sportsmen. game enough to in
sist upon their rights and the rights Of
the people who pay money at the gate
prise, or whether they viii quit cold,