New-York tribune., 1909-12-19
LYNCH AT THE HELM
NAMED PRESIDENT OF
NATIONAL LEAGUE.
Heydler Gets His old JOB
When Deadlock Is
Broken.

National League Of Baseball Clubs at the
fourth session OF the annual meeting in the
Waldorf-Astoria yesterday. He was named
SIS compromise candidate to break the
deadlock existing for the last four days
between John NJ. Ward, the lawyer. golf
PLAYER ard old second baseman of the
Giants. who was supported by New York.
Brooklyn. Chicago and Philadelphia, and
Robert ". Brown. OF Louisville. who was
backed by Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Boston
and ST. Louis.
John A Heydler, who succeeded the late
Harry c. Pulliam as president Of the Ma
tjonal League, was unanimously elected 10
HIS old position as secretary and treasurer
for term OF three years. Thus harmony
or a semblance of harmony was restored
among the warning factions of the league
and thus Ban h. johnson, president of the
American League. who assumed the posi-
tion of dictator. carried his point, I'm as
much as he will not have to serve on the
national commission with Mr. Ward.
When the owners agreed 10 compromise
on the question Of president little time
was left 10 discuss many questions of mo-
ment. but a certain amount of business
was rushed through before the meeting
was adjourned. II was decided TO play out
8 schedule Of 1sS games next season. an
increase Of Il over this year and Of the
same number over the dates agreed on by
the American League. The National
League followed the lead of the younger
organization and limited the number of
players 10 be carried on the reserve list TO
twenty-five between May 10 and August %.
and TO thirty-ive between August % and
May 10 Of the following year, while the
waiver rule was amended so that a club
r-f.Es5 4 clra6 for
The question OF a substitute for the pres
ent murderous spike got scant considera-
tion. but il may be acted upon later. as
new device was exhibited which ap-
pesred to have much merit.
A new board of directors was elected. as
follows: John T. Brush, New York; August
Hermann, Cincinnati; Charles II. Ebbets,
Brooklyn: Barney Dreyfuss, Pittsburg. and
Charles W. Murphy, Chicago. A schedule
committee was also appointed. consisting of
Messrs- Ebbets. Dreyfuss and Lynch, with
instructions to prepare a schedule of 16s
games. TO be played between April II and
October le. 1910. and with further instruc-
tons 10 confer with the schedule committee
OF the American League, TO avoid. so far
possible conflicting dates
Thomas J. Lynch was elected president
after three ballots had been taken for Ward
ana bFONIl. with lne same Old deadlock.
This was more or less perfunctory, how
ever, as in caucus on Friday night il had
been agreed between the warning factions
that the names Of both men should be
withdrawn, and that John T. Brush should
nominate compromise candidate. Frank
c. Richter. OF Philadelphia, was talked of.
with several men previously mentioned. but
not whisper escaped about Mr. Lynch, so
that his election came as a complete sur
prise even 10 the fans who have been
following the fight closely from day to day
snd doing their best to get some inside in
formation.
Before Mr.. Brush named the COMPROMISE
candidate Mr.. Robson formally withdrew
the name of Mr. Brown, and Charles II,
Ebbets did the same for Mr. Ward by read
ing the following letter addressed 10 him
by The candidate. for whom such strong
fight was made:
Deeply approaching the honor done me
ana the loyalty shown me by yourself and
Presidents Brush Murphy and Fogei | feel
that the time has arrived when I owe ii to
YOU TO relieve the existing situation as TO
the election Of a president Of the National
League i therefore ask you 10 withdra W
my name as candidate for that Office.
Following this. John T. Brush offered
the name Of Mr.. Lynch as the dark horse -
ond H. thus making the election unani-
NOUS
After other business was disposed of and
tie meeting had adjourned the newspaper
Hlen were called in TO hear all about it.
iharles II Efbets was the master of cere-
monies. and introducing Mr.. Lynch said:
IN electing these two gentlemen. Lynch
enc Heydler, We congratulate ourselves
iof We believe in their capabiity and devo-
llon 10 the National League and to the
game They both believe in organization
Of baseball. as We all do.
Mr.. Lynch. when the question was mt
up 10 MIN, was particular TO state that he
woulG be glad 70 be associated with Mr.
heydler, They are true, honest sportsmen.
need have no fear that thew will NOT do
their work well. O
Nj Lynch. in responding said that he
considered it great honor TO be elected
president of the National League after
heing out Of baseball for almost ten wears
lie added: '0N 'ei .
can do nothing without Iievdler and
every owner working with me Now.
want 70 tell you something else Yof, ali
Work Tor YOUR home teams more or les
mat is natural-and ] want to ask Won =
lsNor- II you see man, an umpire that
YOU think is not going 10 make oyood
umpire don't roast him-come and tali
1ne OF write me; let mo watch him. rns,,
Drifg you one Of the hest 1ly77rires j., -
business. but you can kill lin in a ,peel'
! know from experience 7 Lxnov, - a. = - -. y.
lSaslt1 from the first time ] called ''ona
- "a New York J lad ten or twelve
ibeusand persons against me for q veel[
ne first time ] umpired ON the ola 11o.h
street grounds The crowd didn't iil,e ~
,iut kept on ! went from here Ia pitte'
hnfS, ana boy in the hotel where 7 ,,-ag
topping hanoed me telegram I tI,o,,e,l+
read; "Peiied IL
roo5 5iio% Sor me e, 70 Congratulate You for your
nat Telegram was signed ''N y yC,,,,-- o..
ana IL MADE me- and think ! Ieft tl,a -. -,
With good name. ''o ediuS
Mr.. Heydler. Rho is ? warm ,or.o,,.,
friend Of Mr.. Lynch said Il have k,op,,,
Tom Lynch ever since ] was a, ,,,nri,o
ana ne was the one man who eucoura e,ad
me in my work and taught me how "a he
an umpire know how true he is and no
one will work harder for Tom Lynch thar,
John A. Heydler"
Frank G. Richter said that If Lynch r,ada
- good president az he had an ,,rnnira
the league would never be 50 successfi,I as
DnCer his direction
Thomas ]. Lynch was born in New Brit
ain, Conn. fifty-one years ago. and in re-
cent wears has been in business there. being
interested in theatrical and baseball vent
ures- He is not very well known 10 present
day fans but in his time was considered
one Of the best umpires who ever handled
2 game. lie began work as an umpire in
1856 in the old Eastern League but in the
following year he arned an apDOjntmeut Il,