New-York tribune., 1909-12-08
EBBETS FOR WARD
COMES OUT STRONGLY.
First Gan Fired in Fight for
Baseball President.

Charles II. Ebbets. president OF the
Brooklyn baseball club. came out openly
yesterday for John NJ Ward as president
Of the National League 20 succeed John
HeydleT and for longer schedule OF games.
Mr. Ebbets declared that he did not ques-
tion the honesty, integrity and LOYALTY 10
the National League OF Mr.. Heydler and
that he was quite willing 10 vote for him as
-secretary-treasureT for life. but that he
would not vote for him for president He
declared farther that the BROOKLYN club
would cast its vote for John NJ Ward and
that ne was strongly in favor OF sched-
ule calling for 1ss games instead OF 154.
Mr.. Ehbets arrived home yesterday after
sE extended trip in the West, and meeting
a number OF newspaper men by appoint
ment. fired the first gun in an out-and-out
campaign against Mr. Heydler lie ex-
plsined that John NJ Ward was first pro-
posed by the New York and Brooklyn clubs,
and was not the candidate OF Charles W.
Murphy. of the Chicago Cubs. although the
latter would in all probability support him.
He said he could not speak for Horace Fo- |
gel. the new president of the Philadelphia
club. or for August Hermann. president OF
the Cincinnati club. but the impression was
gained that both would support Mr.. Ward
when the time came.
The opinion has been general that Herr
mann. together with Barney Dreyfuss, Of
Pittsburg. and John 5. Dovey. Of Boston.
were strong Heydler men. and IL this turns
out to be tue case Stanley Robson. of st.
Louis. will be the man about whom the
fight viii be wagcd for a vote
MIR. Ebbets issued a statement in which
he explained his position in full. and did not
hesitate to state the reasons for his stand
against the reelection OF Mr.. Heydler. lie
said.
The many misrepresentation as to the
position Of the Brooklyn club and for whom
tion OF a president of the National League
call for a sta temeut from me to make
position clear. I personally have been ac-
cused OF being easily led and OF being a
party 20 a pot TO throw down an efficient
official for an alleged insult. These mis-
representations and false accusations, II
allowed 20 pass unnoticed. would be firmly
tmbedded IN the minds of the baseball
public as truths 4 simple denial Of the
unjust accusations or assuming uon-cOm-
initial attitude as 10 whom We shall sup
port for the National League presidency
Is not sufficient.
A plain. unvarnished. truthful statement
10 the baseball public l. the only recourse,
much as / dislike to veutilate in This man
ner the internal affairs OF the National
League. which. 10 my mind should be dis
cGSSed within the walls of our meeting
room, there arriving at an amicable asree-
publicly gave the first information relative
70 the candidacy for president OF the Ma
ucnal League OF gentleman favored by
a few National League presidents. whose
reputation as ball player. lawyer and
a gentleman was unsullied. From this has
arisen discussion which reflects no credit
upon those responsible. The assertion has
been made that an able. honest and eff
clent official was being unjustly treated for
Interior purposes. Nothing could be fur
ther from the truth
Immediately after the burial Of poor
liam in 1 orri- -
directors Of the National League met.
There were present Messrs. DTeyfuss.
DOvey. Murphy and myself. Mr.. Herr
as was Mr- Robson. Mr.. Brush was in
City Al that time We knew there were
six presidents who did not believe Mr..
Heydler was sSted by nature for the srdu-
Gus duties or president OF the National
League. At this meeting Mr. Murphy and
myself advocated defeTring action on the
selection OF president for period Of
meeting al time when seven presidents
would certainly attend voice their cpin-
ions IN person (Mr. BrUshs views We're TO
he obtained by letter or cablel and select
man for president for the unexpired term
OF 1909 and also for 1910
MesSrS Dreyfuss and Dovsy. while doubt
ful of Mr.. HeydleT's natural ability TO
properly MI the office, argued that he
should be given an opportunity TO demon
strate his worth. They pointed out that
Mr.. Heydler had only been acting presi-
dent. fair test would come as Presi-
dent in fact They further argued that il
Was not wisdom 10 hold the matter in
abeyance thirty DAYS felt the force Of
these arguments and persuaded M MUIR
ply 10 look at the matter in this light, and
we both finally voted with Messrs- Drey-
fuss and Dovey for the election OF Mr.
Ieydler 70 fiji the uneXpired term OF 1873.
Since then my opinion OF Mr. Heydler
lack of natural ability TO I'LL the very I'M
portant Office Of president OF the National
League has not changed, but, on the con-
trsrv, has been strengthened.
The reasons are his action in the LennoX
matter his ridiculous interpretations OF the
playing rules. which lost US a game with
the PittsbuTG club. and later upon the
gave a game to the Cincinnati club. In
game with Chicago, where i was agreed
to discontinue play at 511 o'clock, the UNI
pire like a Car. forced us to continue play
after the time agreed upon Mr. Heydler
lyn club another game again MI Heydler
informed me that he hesitated 10 suspend
tho manager OF one OF the championship
contestants for unruly action IN certain
game for fear he would throw the team
out of their stride and thus Jeopardize their
chances for the championship. Mr.. Heyd-
Ter lid not hesitate in benching Lenn0x for
ten days, despite the fact that he was not
the real Offender. the latter not being pun
ished At all.
The discrimination against Lennox in this
matter affected his play the remainder 0f
the season. and he and the rest OF the
team were thrown out or their stride Ihus
the Brooklyn club was seriously injured
and possibly a higher position in the race
lost The gaining or a higher poslt"o
g. Just as sweet 20 p club in the second
division as II is 20 a club in the first. The
patrons and players Of the Brooklyn club
believe We were uniusty treated in these
matters and with the stockholders Of the
club look 10 mo tc remedy the matter in
the future. IL 7 paid no attention to oc-
currences Of this character the public
would become disEusted. the PLAYERS lose
their ambition and would he false ia my
position and those / represent
Mr. Heydler lacks frmness and fearless
ness in the handling OF the umpire star.
The worn out argument of standing up
for your umpireS no matter what their
decision Is all rot. Tmpires are only NOR
tai. thew make mistakes. and when thev
do should he reversed. Impires would then
study the rules thoroughly and render de-
cisions more carefully, with an ambition
not 70 he reversed How ridiculous IN
would be II high courts nevec reversed
lower courts, I believe John Feydler is
not firm and fearless enough for the i'm
p0rtaut Office Of president OF the National
league 7 do not question his hOpesty. in
trgrity or loyalty 10 the National League.
7 am willing To vote for him as secretary
treasurer for life. | win not vote for him
Tor president The vote of the Brooklyn
club viii he cast for John NJ. Ward for
president.