New-York tribune., 1909-12-18
HEYDLER STOCK UP
Mr.. JOHNSON BEATS Il
H4STY RETRE4T.
ban" Lifts Baseball Ban, but
Worring Factions Fail
to Agree.

broken yesterday at the third session or
the annual meeting in the Waldorf-Astoria,
which sent the Heydler stock up. The
owners discussed every phase OF the situa-
ton for the better part of five hours, but
came no nearer reaching a solution than
on Thursday. or at any time. in fact, in the
last TWO weeks. Three formal ballots We're
taken, but each time the result was the
same. New York. Brooklyn, Chicago and
Philadelphia voted for John NJ Ward. while
Cincinnati Pittsburg. Boston and St. Louis
presented a solid front for Robert W
Brown. the Louisville newspaper man. At
o'clock the waTring factions were as
strongly intrenched as ever, and with no
prospect OF either side gaining an advan-
tage. the meeting was adjourned until II
o'clock to-day.
August Hermann went to the meeting
armed with what he hoped would be big
gun in the form of a telegram from Ban B.
Johnson. president OF the American League.
It was a complete surrender of the dicta-
torial attitude he had assumed and a hasty
retreat from the position he had taken
when he said, some two weeks ago, that
he would not serve on the national COM
mission with John NJ. Ward
The telegram, addressed to August Herr
mann and filed at Syracuse, read as fol-
lows:
American League club owners have left
New York. This should indicate forciby
10 you and your colleagues that We do not
wish TO influence or embarrass to the
slightest degree your orps nization in the
election of ar officer.
II August Hermann and his forces count
ed on this 10 pierce the defensive formation
Of the Ward men, he counted in vain. 1t
was pointed out once more that Mr.. John
son by his impolltic statement had placed
the National League in a somewhat
ludicrous position. by attempting, it
were, 10 swing the big stick, and that
retraction at this late day could serve TO
blind the eyes of the baseball fans by
piece Of baseball politics that was so ap-
parent
When the telegram was read, John T.
Brush, Of New York, offered the following
resolution. which was seconded by Stanley
Robson:
Resolved. That the telegram received by
Mr.. Hermann from Ban b. Johnson last
evening, which forms a part of the
ords OF our minutes, which ne recedes
from the position which he advanced sew
eraI days ago. that he would not sit upon
the national commission in The event that
certain individual was elected president
OF the National League, be given TO all
newspapers and press associations.
This resolution was unanimously adopted
following which the batteries of conversa-
ton il favor of one candidate or the other
were opened. but, as said before, without
DOING any great amount of damage, until
the meeting was adjourned
Charles II. Ebbets and Horace Fogel
who stayed to tell as much as they deemed
necessary to the newspaper men. were be-
sieged with questions as to what would
come OF it all. but they parried all ques-
tons with the skill OF finished swordsmen.
were just three things that could be done:
Follow the constitution and elect a presi-
dent, as is mandatory under section IL OF
the constitution: amend the constitution,
which may be done by a three-fourths vote
Of the League at any annual meeting, and,
following that, elect an executive commit
tee or establish regency, adjourn with
out breaking the deadlock, in which case
John A. Heydler would serve as a hold
over president.
So far as could be learned by talking
with the few owners who did not disappear
when the meeting was over, none of the
owners is In favor of a regency, as it
would involve too much work for the men
named in view of their many other inter
ests. It seemed to be the general opinion,
also. that there was little or no chance of
the present deadlock being broken. Under
the circumstances August Hermann and
his forces may carry their point by having
John A. Heydler retained in Office through
the failure Of the owners TO reach an agree
ment.
This condition is not likely TO obtain
however, for several DAYS unless an unex-
pected change Of front is made by one or
more OF the men who are supporting Mr..
Ward. as last night they appeared TO be
quite as determined and ready to fight on
man Of the Giants was suggested as a can
6idate.
Some years ago. when a deadlock oc-
CURED i'm the National League over A. G..
gpalding and Uncle Nick Young for the
presidency an executive committee was
named 20 handle the affairs of the League,
but without happy results. Conditions have
changed since then, however, and the
League could almost run itself for a year,
but the executive committee would have
lots Of work to do. and. further than that,
would be forced TO attend meetings of the
national commission, and for that reason
none of the owners who have the affairs
OF their own clubs to handle is disposed
to serve in that capacity
One owner who would not he quoted ex-
pressed the opinion last evening that the
deadlock would not be broken If the meet
next year. To the outsider, August Herr
mann. who supported Mr.. Heydler until
the time came 10 make formal nomina-
tions. holds the whip hand and will event
uslly accomplish his purpose of keeping
the present incumbent at the head of the
League for another year by a clever bit of
baseball politics
In nominating Nj. Brown for the sake of
establishing a deadlock and then blocking
any chance 10 amend the constitution
which requires a three-fourths vote Mr.
Hermann can keep Mr. Heydler at the
head Of the league a hold-oyer presi-
dent
The retTaction, or what amounted TO the
same thing by Ban B. johnson OF his
statement that he would not serve on the
national commission with Air Ward
aroused much discussion among the hun
dreds Of baseball men gathered in the Wal
dorf last evening. Some thought that il
was done in a spirit OF Cancellation and to
neke for peace in the baseball world. while
others looked on IL only as more politics
in the hope that IT might bring about the
election OF Il. w. BroD n.
ISBELL MAY LEAVE CHICAGO.