Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19
LYNCH PRESIDENT
OF MAJOR LEAGUE
"King Of Umpires" Will Direct
Affairs of the National Next
Year.
END OF LONG DEADLOCK
Unanimous Action Of Magnates Fol.
lows Al-Night Conference.
HEYDLER RESUMES OLD PLACE
Retiring President Elected Secretary
Treasurer for Three Years.
BRUSH ON DIRECTORS BOARD
Election Places Control of League
with Murphy ana DryfusS--
Changes Made in the M
Rules aEN
Unanimous Action of MagnatOs Fol.
lows All-Night Conference.
EYDLER RESUMES OLD PLAM
Retiring President Elected Secretary
Treasurer for Three Years.
BRUSH ON DIRECTORS BOARD

the National league OF professional base
ball clubs over the election of presi-
dent was unexpectedly broken this after
noon by the unanimous selection of
]. Lynch, whose name had not
been considered or publicly mentioned
for the position.
There is reason to believe that the
eight league presidents held a secreb
conference, which did net end until 3
o'clock this morning 60 which shs sup
porters of John NJ. Ward OF New York
and Robert w. Brown OF Louisville came
to an understanding. 1t was understood
that each side, seeing the other equally
firm, instructed John T, Brush of the
New York club to select man, whose
name had not been before the league as
a candidate. Brush consulted none OF his
colleagues but telegraphed TO New
Britain, Conn, for Thomas ]. Lynch to
come to the waldorf-Astoria at once.
When the league met today three ballots
were taken. all Of them resulting In the
same tie-four for Ward and four for
BI N. Then, apparently by agreement.
President Bbbetts of Brooklyn, read a
letter from Ward In which he withdrew
from the contest At the same time
Stanley Robson OF 81. Louis Withdrew
Browns name. Following the pre-
arranged plan, Brush then mentioned
Lynch, referring to him, by his better
known title, king OF Umpires" The
seven other magnates quickly seconded
the nomination and the election was made
unanimous.
Heydler Elected Secretary.
Ebbetts, who had been one Of the
bitterest fighters against the candidacy
OF John A. Heydler. who succeeded the
late Harry c. Pulliam, as president then
nominated Heydler for secretary treas
urer, a position which he has filled con-
tnuously for many years. even latterly.
while president. There was hitch
here 1t was understood that Heydler
would not accept the appointment for one
year and after a conference he was
nominated for three years and un-
animously elected, Lynoh's election is for
one year
After the meeting Lynch and Heydler
we're formally introduced to the newspaper
men. Both made speeches Lynch is 81
years old, and was for long time resi-
dent of Cincinnati, which he made his home
before going to Connecticut.
Address to Reporters.
To the reporters he said:
The hardest thing the president of the
league has to do is to protect his umpirea
If you see an umpire that you think won't
do, come and tell me and / will keep my
eye on him. Don't roast him. That does
no good. was a young fellow when Nick
Young made me an umpire, and the frat
six games I umpirsd were here In New
York, three with New York against De-
troit and the other three against Chicago.
MY first decision was calling ball on
homo pitcher, and that whole week ths
newspapers and fans roasted me to a frax-
zle. They gave me he'll. tell you. They
called me a robber, thief and everything
else, and players spiked me and made life
not worth living. I was sent next week to
Pittsburg, and at the hotel they handed rnA
telegram. I thought It was all off with
me. But the telegram was from Nick
Young and II warmly congratulated me on
my fairness in the New York gamea Then
said they could all go to hell, as long as
I'd been honest and fair.
And that Is going to be my policy as
president Of the National league. know
the game about as well as anyone. and
think have pretty good reputation. The
public, the players and the umpires will
got nothing but a square deal from me,
and everything win be above board and
open to the newspapers. g
IT want to add that refused to take
the presidency until I was assured that
my old friend Heydler. whom I broke in
as an umpire, was elected as secretary and
treasurer. as could not get along without
him."
HeydIeF Lauda Lynch.
Heydler's speech was Mandatory of Lynch
as an umpire. and then several old time
base ball reporters made speeches felicl-
tating the new officers.
Pop" Adrian G. Anson. whom Charles
w. Murphy had brought from Chicago,
believing he would be elected, remained at
the Waldorf to the last and then departed,
silent. but sorely disappointed.
The only change in the board Of direct
ors elected today is the entrance Of John
T. Brush Of New York In place OF Presi-
dent Dovey Of the Boston club
The change however alters the com
plexion OF the board, because Mr. Brush Is
expected to vote with Murphy OF Chicago
and Dreyfuss OF Plttsburg. whereas Mr..
Dovey sided with Hermann OF Cincinnati
and Ebbetts OF Brooklyn who are now
left in the minority.
The schedule committee was directed to
prepare a l6s-gsmo schedule The 1909
schedule was one OF l54 games
Change in By-Laws.
The resolution changing the bylaws SO
that no club may carry more than twenty
4 five players during the playing season.
caused some confusion The magnatea did
not specify the dates OF the playing sea-
SON" President Ebbetts, however. declared
that the playing season" would be from
May 10 TO August 70 and that the resolution
would permit clubs to carry not more than
thirty-fiye players from August 20 to May
10 Before May 10 and after August % the
clubs are usually trying out new players
and their staffs are larger, The Americas