Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-02
WARM LETTER FROM
PRESIDENT JOHNSON
Appeals to the National
Leagues Common Sense in
EIecting New Leader.

The big furry kicked UP in the base
ball world through the purchase of the
Philadelphia National League club and
the boosting of John Ward for the presi-
dency Of the National League practically
overshadows everything else in sport.
especially as the meetings of the major
organizations are close at hand The
position taken by President Johnson has
been harshly criticised by many Ameri-
can League opponents, as it was thought
he was thrusting himself into an AFT
fair that didn't concern him whichever.
The newspaper stories sent east make
Mr.. Johnson practically declaring war in
case Ward is elected president. The con-
trary Is quite the case. Mr. johnson
doesn't want Mr. Ward as companion
on the national commission. Being a
member thereof, he certainly should have
some say to his fellows. Instead Of
wanting war, Mr.. johnson has appealed
to the common sense of the National
League magnates, and the chances are
big that he will receive a more favorable
hearing than the president of the Chicago
Nationals.
The following letter has been sent to
President Hermann by President Johnson
IN response to letter of inquiry from
as to the cause of his opposition to ard.
The letter will prove exceptionally good
reading to those people WHO believe that
Mr.. johnson is trying to stir up strife be-
tween the major leagues. 1t is as fol-
lows:
"Mr August Hermann,
Chairman National Commission,
"Cincinnati, Ohio.
Dear Sir: When the information was
brought to me from an authentic source
that John NJ. Ward was seriously con-
sidered for the presidency of the Ma
tlonal League, it occas stoned me much
surprise, and raised the question as to
the sincerity Of purpose of your organi-
cation. Since the signing of the peace
pact and the creation of the national
agreement organized base ball has moved
along in broad. straight channel with
moderate friction.
''The chief snag encountered was our
effort to recover Player George Davis
after he had been awarded to the Chi
cago American League Club at the Gin
cinnati peace conference. Mr.. Ward. act
Ing as the attorney for Player Davis,
drew up the original contract with the
Chicago club. 1t was a three-year agree
ment. iron bound and riveted. At a sub
tract with the New York National
League club.
THE New York club sought to retain
Davis. regardless of the Cincinnati
o"oiu, dIiu III IdCl Qiu use MIN III one
game. despite vigorous protest from
the American League.
THE Chicago club was finally obliged
to go into the courts to enforce it's con-
tract. and John NJ. Ward represented the
player in the proceedings.
Davis was checkmated. but the Chi
cago club did not have his services during
the entire season. The cost Of litigation
to the Chicago club exceeded So, 600. The
entire transaction was clearly conspiracy
and a wanton violation Of the peace pact
entered into at Cincinnati. American
League interests must be considered and
weighed in the construction of the ma
tional commission each year.
1t is far from our purpose to say, OF
even suggest. whom the National League
should elect asits president. but common
sense and the interests of other parties to
the agreement should be considered If the
present cordial relations are to continue
The unbounded prosperity the game
has enjoyed under its present government,
should serve as safety valve to any
prejudicial act that might tend to destroy
a healthful, sound and sportsmanlike con.
dition in base ball.
i am, yours truly,
''B. B. Johnson