The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-14

Away back iu the days when Uncle
Nick" Young presided over the destinies
OF the National League and maintained
his headquarters in this city, which at
that time was on the old circuit, he took
a great fancy 10 a lad who was promi-
nently identified with amateur sports In
the District His young friend was an
athlete Of no mean ability. and baseball
was his hobby From pitching for anna
teur teams he drifted into umplring, and
soon became one of the most popular
officials in the District-that Is. as popu-
lar as an umpire could hope to be-and
his services were I'm demand because he
had the reputation Of being square and
possessing good judgment
The young man appreciated Toung's
friendship, as Uncle Nick in his official
capacity was a maker Of umpires and
gave him good advice. A few years found
the youngster an umpire in the National
League Years passed and the league
retired Uncle Nick" who is now living
quietly IN Washington. His young friend
quit umpiring, but stuck to baseball in
the capacity Of a critic. That man is
ident of the National League. He occu-
pies a position far more important than
Il was in Toungs day, and responsibility
sits well on his shoulders.
John A Heydler is a man who never
crowded into the spotlight OF public opin-
ION. The fans knew Of him, but his work
as secretary Of the National League did
not receive much publicity. and his name
was seldom mentioned. Elected president
last summer 70 iii out the uneXpired
term Of poor Harry Puliiam. his name
became more familiar to tho fans through
the attack made upon him by Owner
Murphy, Of the Chicago club. following
Heydlers support Of Umpire Klein when
Murphy filed charges against that Official
last summer. And now he has become
an issue in baseball because Of the move
ment 20 Gust him which Murphy is head
Ing.
Perhaps the fans want to know" what
manner Of man and Official he is who has
incurred the enlnity OF the volcanic Chi
cagoan; what qualifications he possesses.
and why he Is now involved I'm league
politics although he is no politician.
NOBODY ever questioned Heydlers abil-
ity and Judgment and impartiality until
Garry Hermann. owner Of the CinCin-
natl club, and Murphy last summer sud
denly discovered that he was not broad
enough and not big enough 10 be
president Of the league. Let US drst con-
slider Heydler's experience and fitness.
Well Fitted by Experience.
There are few men who have seen base
ball from as many angles as the Ma
tional League president He grew up IN
baseball. whereas some Of the other men
suggested FOR his Job have viewed the
game from only the angle OF an owner
Ieydler has played baseball-and plays
It yet-has been an umpire. has travelled
over the country as a baseball reporter
and FOR the last seven years has handled
the Office work-the details and figures
Of the National League. In short, he has
been the business manager of the organ
1zation, and there isn't man who
knows the business better Than he
You couldn't very well find an officiai
who has a more intimate knowledge Of
the great enterprise which organized
baseball has become. Few baseball exec
Dtives realize what an umpire is up
against Heydler does. He was an ar
bitrator in the days when the ague
didn't back W the field Judge as It does
now, and he therefore realizes the i'm
,portance Of discipline. lie never pratt
tied league secrets, yet withal he Is the
friend OF every newspaper writer on the
circuit. He is courteous TO them all
knows what news is, and when TO tell
Il and when 10 suppress a.. Nobody an
question his honesty. Baseball reporters
have never caught him in lie. You can
not find a scribe who will speak III Of
him. That is why the Baseball Writer'S
Association indorses his administration
and protests against the league turning
him down without further chance TO
make good.
Charges Against Him.
Let US now consider the indictments
handed down by the Murphy faction. OF
necessity they are few and brief They
cum UP this way
Not big enough for the place
Refuses TO let club owners intlmidate
umpires.
That's all The first charge IS vague
and probably means that the National
League does not want an executive that
is not master Of intrigue and who is
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