The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-29
Ban Johnson Discusses J. NJ.
Wards Aspirations.
Withdraw if HeIS Elected PreSi.
dent of National League.
ONE OF HIS REASONS.
Believes That the Lawyer
Doesn't Play Fair.
Barney DreyfusS Is Also OPP
posed to Ward.

Chicago, Nov. 29-That President Ban
Johnson Of the American League was
rot joking when he asserted Friday
night that the American League would
withdraw from the National commits
zion If John NJ. Ward was elected pres
tdent of the National League became
apparent Saturday when Mr.. Johnson,
on his return from Cincinnati, made
the statement even stronger and prac
tically admitted that a break in the
re INKS Of organized baseball would fol-
low the election of the New York law
yer as Heydler's successor.
Ward is a trickster and we all
know it, said the American League
chief. I'VE are not trying to dictate
to the National League or tell that
body whom to elect. but We positively
will not stand for Ward The Ameri-
can will withdraw from the commits
sion in a hurry if Ward is chosen.
There have been manifold proofs
that the New York man is not fit to
hold the office. The case of George
Davis settles the matter. as far as 1 am
concerned. In the fall of 1901 President
Comiskey of the White Sox signed
Davis TO play with his club. Ward
acted as Davis attorney and was the
man who drew up the contract, which
was a three year ironclad affair. In
the following year. after Davis had
rlayed one season with the Chicago
club, Ward and John T. Brush of the
New York club. the former again act
ing for Davis, signed up another agree
fnent. also an iropclad one. binding
Davis to play for the Giants for two
years.
The George Davis Case.
The contracts were such that Davis
could draw salary from either club as
1Ono he ron0rtp6 daily at one of the
parks. Davis didn't play at all in 1903,
but drew pay from the New York team.
In 1904 he came back to the Chicago
Americans ard the latter had to settle
with Brush for his services. The ma
tionaI commission was formed the fall
before that and Davis was awarded to
the White SoX. but it cost COmiSkey
$500 TO fix things up with New York.
That one deal of Wards is enough
for us. We could name others that
show him an unworthy candidate. We
are not trying to disrupt organized
baseball, but we won't stand for an
associate like Ward.
Ward is Brush's candidate. In some
way or other the New York magnate
has rored in Murphy, and the latter
is supporting Brush's man. But don't
believe the National League will elect
Ward. The body will know our attt-
tude in the matter and realize we are
rot trying to butt in but will go
: While President johnson said he
knew little of the feeling of Chairman
Hermann of the commission in regard
to the New York candidate, it is be-
lieved that Garry is almost as strongly
opposed to Ward as the American
league chief. Herrmann's term of Of
fee as head of the commission expires
In January. 1t is said he will not be up
for reelection and will refuse to serve
iOf1Qar in ha cahQllsG highest
less Heydler is chosen to succeed him
self.
Dreyfuss Also Opposed.
Barney Dreyfuss of Pitsburg is an
other magnate strongly opposed to
Wards candidacy. Barney is quoted as
saying the New York lawyer is
Crook and that he will not stand for
him. The election of Ward against the
wishes of Hermann, Dreyfuss, and
probably John Dewey of the Boston
club may result in a break right in the
ranks of the National league itself
In the event this comes it is hard To
tell what will become of organized
baseball. The Ward supporters may be
forced to withdraw their man from the
race when they are convinced Heydler's
hackers are in earnest.
President johnson said there would
be meeting of the commission in New
York on the Monday preceding the ses-
sions OF two big leagues there next
month. This meeting has been called
for the purpose of clearing up unfinisf-
ed business. but the chances are the
body will discuss the National league
presidency question and reach some
agreement about it.
Mr.. johnson shares Garry Herr
rnann's opinion that John King is in
eligible, and it now looks as if the
former Cub catcher would not be abls
to play ball for the Phillies for soma
time. Even If the American leagues
stand against Ward results in his with
drawal from the race for the office it is
not likely that the commission viii
yield much in the Killing case.
The American leagues president said
he had considered Wards candidacy as
a joke until he had seen Chairman
Hermann in Cincinnati. The latter
convinced him that the New York law
yer was seeking the berth.