New-York tribune., 1911-12-13

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the ether cOntest,ng club.
II a resolution adopted by the American
Ieague at its annual meeting ia the Hotel
Astor yesterday may be taken at It's face
value Ban Johnsons orga niEatiOn has
tken a slap at the National Commission
Hnd set itself above the supreme court oil
baseball The resolution, introduced 10y
Ffonk Farrell president of the New York
Yankees. AM passed unanimously by the
owners just before the meeting adjourned
Is so vaguely worded that II may be taken
70 mean almost anything from a war on
tie National League and the disruption Of
organized baseball to a gentle hint that the
younger league is dissatisfied with the way
things are being run.
There is no doubt shat the basis Of the
resolution is found in the worlds series
ticket scandal and Is inspired by Mr..
johnson, Who fnGs himself in the minority
f. the National Commission Neither the
American League president nor Frank Far
rel would enlighten the baseball critics on
tho meaning of the resolution, declaring
that il spoke for itself The resolution
reads as follows:
Resolved. That the American League
viii continue TO exercise its privileges and
observe the obligations under the national
agreement but will decline TO have any
further official intercourse with the Ma
tIonal League, except so far as may be re-
CURED for the safeguarding OF its territory
and players rights
BE II further Resolved That the Ameri-
can League Will not be represented IN an
other series for the worlds championship
or in any other interleague event unless
accorded sole charge of the sale Of tickets
20 games played on its grounds, under an
agreement and with the understanding that
81 shall not assume responsibility for the
conduct Of the business department of the
games at the park Of the other contest
ing club"
After adopting this resolution a copy
was ordered sent to Thomas J. Lynch,
president of the National League The
opinion of Mr. Lynch on the resolution
could not be obtained last night.
There is little doubt as to the meaning
OF the second clause Of the resolution.
Hereafter the American League will con-
Duct the sale Of tickets for the games
PLAYED on its own grounds in interleague
series. This is nothing less than defiance
of the order Of the National Commission
which decided by unanimous vote on No
vember 2 at a meeting I'm Cincinnati that
i1 the future the commission would handle
the sale of tickets for worlds series games
Strange To say, President Johnson Of the
American League. who Is q member of the
commission. voted for the proposition al
that time. or so Il IS said. Evidently he
has experienced change Of heart.
Shrewd baseball critics are prone 10 he
leve that Johnson has shifted his position
because hc was unable 10 make a case
against the New York club I'm the ticket
Investigation made 10y the National Com
mission and that ne has asked the Amer
ican League 20 give him a prop. There IS
little doubt that Johnson had figures and
facts 10 present 10 the National Commits
sion that there was spcculating In world s
series tickets in New York and Philadel-
rhia. No one has denied this. even John
T Brush and Rem Shibe having readily
admitted e
When # comes. however. TO fixing the
blame and giving proof Of premeditated
plans 70 assist the Spectators on the part
~ the officers Of the club. Johnson has
been unable 20 make good" II he has
such proof those who know Johnson's
facile pen and ready speech declare that
he would have publicly proclaimed the
same IL the National Commission had re-
fused TO consider such evidence. The COM
mission has absolutely no power to tie
JohnsCns hands. II NAV refuse 10 punish
the New York and Philadelphia clubs on
his evidence. but Il cannot prevent him
from promulgating the figures and arous-
ing such storm of public protest that the
commission would be compelled to act
Johnson has not done this. and il is the
general belief that he. has no proof o.
collision
Why the American League should feel
80 keenly about ticket speculating in New
York. where II had no responsibility in the
scandal so far as the Giants are concerned
rs implied by the last sentence I'm the
resolution the Fans" were unable to dis
cover yesterday. There have been those
who have blamed the National Commission
and stated that I'm the last analysis il was
responsible for the ticket distribution
troubles. because il delegated its powers "a
the clubs In this indirect way Ban John.
son might be accused of being responsible
for the scandal In New York, and through
him the American League, This is a fan
fetched way Of fixing the blame. however
and II Is doubtful whether the American
League president has lost much sleep with
q guilty conscience as TO the New York end
OF the deal
When all is said and done. however. tho
American League has deded the National
Commission and viii refuse 10 obey ns
ruling that al worlds series tickets be
handled by the commission. Presiden;
Lynch and Garry Hermann, the two other
members Of the commission, probably will
have a word 10 say on this subject TODAY
As FAR as the first section of the resolu.
tion goes almost any meaning can be read
into IT, but little importance IS attached n
It. Careful analysis shows IL 10 be no more
than a few words Of resonant character
strung together. II was pointed out YES.
terday that the resolution admitted that
the national agreement held both leagues
IN the same position as heretofore and that
consequently their relations so far as Tn,
game Is concerned are the same. II tho
national agreement had been abrogated Il
would have been different. but as tie mat
ter now stands there is little fear Of q
war. The only official intercourse" which
the American League has had IN the past
with the National League has been ere
ouired for the safeguarding Of It's terri
toriai and player rights" and II naturally
will have the same intercourse IN Tho
future
TIC business which came before th'