Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-10-16
THE OMAHA SUNDAY BEE
JUDGMENTS

EsPITE President Ban Johnson's
eNoneration Of Corridor and YER
dict Of honor for Lajoie Il may
H. never be fully settled whether La
joie earned those eight hits In
eight times az bat at st. Louis or not
OF whether he or Ty Cobb was
entitled TO the automobile as tile
premier batter OF the American league.
but one thing seems TO have been
everlastingiy settled and that is that no
such prize will ever again be hung up in
that league, u any other. Lajole and the
81. Louis players and even the umpire
Evans-say the Cleveland slugger earned
the hits. On the contrary there was evi-
dence TO question Il; at least, oircum-
stances. II surely does not seem possible
that any man could get away with six
hunts IN a row, nor does Il seem possible
that q player OF Corridon's daring and
eaEsrness would hesitate TO lay up for
bunt On the other hand, Corridor and
Northern, the two players involved in La
jois's benefit, are youngsters with their
regulations yet TO make. II does not seem
reasonable to suppose either foolish enough
TO hazard a career OF a lifetime on such a
possibility, or In order that another player
might profit. Corridor avows he did his
best and Johnson accepts his word. To be
sure Cobb lie not very popular man on the
circuit, but Il doesn't seem that new play
ers could have very deep-seated feelings
for or against him. whether Lajoie really
was entitled TO hits or not Cobbs own
conduct IN refusing to play In the last two
games with Detroit when Il seemed he had
reached a mark IN his batting his rival
could not overtake 10 not entirely laudibie
or above criticism. He had been called a
gutter before LAioies experience trans
pired. nut the main point in the whole
controversy is that Il is dangerous for
base ball to oountenance the offering Of
such tempting rewards and Il never should
be permitted again. President Ban Johnson
and other authorities declare II will never
be. Bsso ball Is one sport that Is above
reproach and the very stand Messrs. John
son, Hermann and others have taken In
this case shows that the men who are run
ming Il propose TO keep II above reproach.
Il Il no indictment Of the game that an in
Aividual can new and then be found who is
willing to hippOdrome With thousands OF
men engaged In the sport, such a condi-
ton Is always TO be expected, but guarded
against GAd It does not matter 80 much
about the subordinate individuals, 30 long
as the men at the head are doing their
duty. No individual can ruin or very seri-
ously harm /. institution. II Is the high
est sort OF recommendation for base ball
that its authorities invariably stand with
all their power and influence against any
thing that suggests unfairness or unsports-
manlike tactics and perhaps It is a good
thing that this incident has arisen, for II
will serve to point out another possible
danger that had not been B sufficiently
guarded against. Prizes, rewards bonuses
of all kinds must be done away with.
Players receive good enough salaries TO
compensate them for giving the best that
is in them and they do not need extras.
No player is worthy who refuses to do less
than his best for the pay he is getting,
and there are ways OF dealing with him
who shirks. 1t is a matter OF satisfaction
to friends OF Corridor In Omaha, where as
q player he was especially popular, that
his statement Is clear OF convincing enough
20 acqult him in the judgment OF the presi-
dent of the American league from any
wrong doing.