Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-01-06
SPEAKS HIS MIND
Garry Hermann, Chairman OF
National Commission, Raps
Syndicate Ball.
AND THOSE WHO CRITICISE
Favors Punishment for Those Who
Are Not Disposed to Accept Rul-
ings Handed Down.

Cincinnati, Ohio, Jan. Ga straight
declaration against Syndicate base
BALI in the report of Chairman Herr
mann was the feature of the annual
meeting of the national commission
here yesterday. The election of Off
GERS resulted in the expected retention
of August Hermann as chairman and
John e. Bruce as secretary.
The initial appearance of President
T. j. Lynn ii the National league as
the excuse for converting the meeting
into social rather than a business
session, and last night a dinner was
given 10 the new member by his asso-
ciates, Chairman Hermann and Presi-
dent B. B. Johnson of the American
league. Thirty-fve invitations were
issued.
Among the cases decided was that
of the players of the Canifornia State
league, the former outlaw" organiza-
ton, which recently subscribed to the
national agreement. 1t was decided
the ineligible players in that organiza-
iAOil Ahuol -ldhc pttoOldl elplt'N1llAOA
to the commission for restoration to
good standing. This ruling FLOWED a
hearing of the case of Happy Smith,
an outfelder of the Oakland club, who
was awarded to the Chicago Nationals,
Takes Slap at Critics.
Chairman Herrmann's annual report
was more than usually interesting. In
part, it follows:
'In the last few years 1 have called
attention to the fact that the rulings
handed down by the commission have,
with few exceptions, been unanimous,
and at no time have called forth seri-
Gus criticism from parties familiar
with the facts. 1t is unfortunate. how
ever, that in some instances they were
not accepted by some major league
club owners in the manner in which
they should have been This practice
however. should not be permitted to
continue and a repetition thereof
should meet with prompt and radical
action on the part of the commission
IF the commission is not to be re
spected in its ruling, then those who
criticise it should be separated from il
or else the commission. itself should
cease to exist.
The crowds present during the
worlds series were the largest and
most representative that the nationa
game has ever known and are only {
foreTunner Of what will happen in tn,
future as long as the game is con
Quoted along the same lines as during
the last six or seven years. The con
fidence which the public is showing II
baseball makes it imperative for The
club owners to keep the game clean
Must Suppress "Syndfcate Ball"
This condition of affairs, however
will not continue to exist long if syn
dictate ball is permitted and l canno
conceive that any club owner will dit
fer with me on this subject. If it j
attempted, no matter in what leagu
or city. prompt action must be takel
not only by the national commission
but by every one else interested in tn
perpetuation of the national game 4
suppress it Immediately. l sincerel
trust that in this recommendation
shall have not only the strongest SUI
port of my colleagues on the commits
sion, but of every major league clu
owner as we'll"
William Murray, former manager q
the Philadelphia club, was on han
and presented his case to the commit:
sion. Murray last winter signed
contract for three years at $500
year He has since been deposed. TIL
; club still owes him $500 from las
year and he claims payment of SIS, 90
for the two years which the contraC
has to run.