The Washington times., 1907-05-18

tional Commission going to enforce its
decision2 II the American League, as
represented by its president. declines
TO abide by the decision. viii the Ma
donal League let the matter drop, or
will it break off relations with its Amer
lean rival and thus bring an end TO
the National Commission, which would
have been proved a court without power
II the two leagues split in this matter
and there is nobody to settle disputes
between them. what is to prevent a re-
neWal of the ruinous baseball war? or.
viii the National League, the Washing
ton club in particular. and the other
American League clubs in general. curl
up before Johnson and allow him to get
away with his high-handed proceedings
Judging from past performances. an
answer in the positive 20 the last Dues
ton IS the most probable outcome.
This Is not an alarmist view and is
not raising a boyle. but a plain state
ment OF a situation arising from john
sons course.
Where Comiskey Comes In.
Charles Comiskey. owner OF the Chi
cage American Leaguers, champions Of
the world. is deeply interested in minor
league baseball, and especially In the
American Association. which expelled
Kelley on the ground that he had
brought unsubstantiated charges against
Umpire Owens honesty when Kelley
was manager Of the Minneapolis team.
COmiskey was manager and owner Of
the St. Paul team Of the American Asso-
clauOn before he acquired the Chicago
franchise in the American League. and
stiH owns the club. Comiskey is n
great friend Of Joe and Mike Cantillon
who own the Minneapolis club and also
the Des Moines club, which is in the
Western League
Kelley is a man of firm friends and
many enemies. The CantillOns and
Comiskey are lined up behind him in his
present effort 10 re-establish his posi-
ton in baseball Opposed TO him is a
combination supposed 10 be headed by
Ban Johnson, and which has been after
his scalp FOR many moons
IrrecOncilable Breach.
Comiskey has had true line on Ban
johnson for several years. and distrust-
ed and disliked him. They were open
enemies last season. and their apparent
reconciliation was Sor commercial pur-
poses only. This Kelley affair of the
last few days is said TO have widened
the breach between them to such an ex-
tent that even joke peace conference
could not be arranged between them
when banquet was given Comiskey
IN Chicago this week In honor OF the
raising OF the worlds championship pen-
hant Won by his American League team,
Ban Johnson, president Of the league.
although he was at the park at the
hosting OF the bunting. was not at the
big feed
Comiskey has, the reputation among
all who know him OF being a clean
sportsman and OF having more base
Ddu sense IN a minute than johnson
could get in thousand years. Hitherto
IN resenting the bullying and officious
tactics Of johnson Comiszey has mere
~ sulked in his tent. and kept The
peace for the sake of the league but
now u is said that Comiskey IL ready
TO assume the aggressive and take
measures TO curb the pernicious and ar
r1gant activity of the man to whose
salary he Is contributing and that be
fore the spring OF 1913. Johnson will ges
the severest jolt OF his life
Kelley's Merits Not a Factor.
This Kelley talk now attracting atten-
ton is aside from the question whether
that young man should be reinstated in
baseball at all. and neither defense nor
condemnation Of him is here intended
Nor did Johnson assume a lofty
ground in interdicting his playing with
the Washington team. Kelly may or
may not be an undesirable player. but
this did not enter into Herrmann's de-
cisiOn that he could get into the game