Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-30
JoHNs0N's POSITION.
As a National Commissioner, Won't
Stand for Ward,

Frank Hough in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
There is disposition in some quarters
to misconstrue the reason which prompted
President Johnson Of the American
League to declare his opposition to the
election of John NJ. Ward as president Of
the National League. Those who are not
familiar with the circumstances may be
excused from thinking that, inasmuc!1 as
the election of president of the National
League is purely an affair of that organ
ization, it is a piece of impertinence on the
part of the president of the American
League to butt in. And SO it would be If
the person elected to the presidency Of the
National simply confined his labors to the
direction of the affairs of that Organiza-
ton. But the president of the National
League, by virtue of his Office, Is a men,
Der of the national commission In con-
junction with the president of the Amer
man, he is called upon to discuss and de-
eide questions of grave Importance to the
clubs and players parties to the national
agreement. The national commission is
the supreme tribunal of base ball. and it
Is necessary that between the members
composing it there should be absolute
confidence in eaah others integrity Of
purpose. They may-they do-differ in
their Judgment, but there should never be
the slightest chance for any member of
the commission to doubt the motive
which inspired another member to arrive
at a conclusion.
In view of the action of John NJ. Ward
in drawing up two personal contracts for
George Davis, the first with Chicago for
three years, the second-drawn up a year
later-with New Aork, President Johnson
served notice that in the event of the Sc
lection of Ward as president of the Ma
tional League he-Johnson-would posi-
lively refuse to sit with him as a member
Of the national commission. This is re-
garded by many as tantamount to dec
laration Of war. and some OF the more
that in the event OF the declaration Of war
the Cincinnati and Pittsburg National
League clubs would flop into the Amer
lean League camp. There is certainly
some speed to that rumor. Whether the
American League would extend it's cir
cult to ten clubs, or fire out two of the
present members, is not stated. As a ten
club circuit Is impossible. and as there is
no possible way by which two clubs could
be dropped except by consent of their
owners, 1t is not clear how the alarmists
can make good their dope.
If the clique opposed to John Heydler
are sincere in their intention to get his
head there are other capable men outside
Of John Ward who could be secured and
who would be agreeable to johnson. And
no one familiar with the inside workings
of base ball would think Of swapping a
man of proven ability like Heydler for a
man like Ward, despite his legal attain
ments Ward was a great ball player.
but under his captaincy the Giants never
won a championship Intellectually supe-
rior to Buck Ewing, he could not lead the
Giants to a pennant while Ewing did. AS
he did not possess the mental equation to
make a successful captain. there is not
the slightest reason for thinking that in
the more extended sphere of president of
big league. called upon to decide the
vexed questions arising within the league,
and the still more delicate problems al
ways coming up between the leagues he
would rise to the occasion. The commits
sion is amply fortified in a legal way,
John E. Bruce, the distinguished attor-
ney Of Cincinnati. being it's secretary.
which nullifies one of the reasons adj
vanced for the elevation Of Mr.. Ward to
the Office.