New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-17
COMMENT ON SPORTS
Some Owners in National League
"Gunning" for Their President.
NEED FOR DRASTIC ACTION
News and Views on Live Topics
of the Day, Both Amateur
and Professional.

and PROFESSIONAL.
NYhv the owners of the various clubs IN
the National League DO not come FORWARD
and by joining hands with PRESIDENT
LYNCH put an end for all time TO the re-
cent disgraceful scenes on the diamond Is
a question that Is puzsling those who have
the best interest Of the great natonai game
AT heart. / am not alone in the opinion
that the reason lies in the fact that some
of the owners are cunning FOR their
president, rather than for the umpires' ana
with little thought OF the consequence
Horace Bogel, president OF the Philaoei-
mia club. has declared open war against
Mr. LYNCH. and only drastic action by the
hoard Of directors Will smooth the troubled
vatsrs and preserve the dignity OF the old
est organization IN baseball am ihciineu
20 think that Mr.. Lynch has peen UNI
fortunate In the selection OF some Oh MS
ump,res, but am also OF the opinion lila'
he has used his best efforts to solve oiii-
cult problem IN the face OF an almost IN
surmountabie handicap. Only week aeo
I referred TO the marked difference thal
existed between the National League ana
,he American League so far as the umpire
question is concerned. and II is sac com
rnentary on the older organization that ols-
cord should obtain, which is doing SO mucn
harm 20 organized baseball. The attitude
of acme OF the owners puts Mr.. Lynch on
the defensive and forces him into raise
position. when hearty cooperation woulo
SOON put an end 10 a condition that mas oe-
come intolerable. A dignifed but rorceIul
protest 10 the chief executive by the own
ers that one or more Of the umpires was
not competent would accomplish more IN
ona hour than can be accomplished IN
rnonths by the unseernly actions OF players
and managers which have marred so many
games this year.
Sherwood Magee, who so far forgot him
self as 10 assault Finneran on the playing
field in Philadelphia on Monday. has peeh
punished to the full extent Of Mr.. Lynch S
rowers Indefinite suspension ana me Oh
500 mark the limit under the rules OIL
baseball. 1t will be surprising II the sus-
pension is lifted before the season expires
II Il can re proved that F1nneran was at
fault for using insulting language his dis
roissal from the staff should follow forth
with but no matter what the provocauon
MaEee
law into his own hands as between player
and umpire. Some other place IMAM 'no
diamond could have been selected TO settle
the question as man to man. Those VINO
support baseball do not pay TO zee vicious
assaults. TO say nothing Of constant DICK
ering and umpire batting on the ola
mond. and lust so sure as they continue the
better element will withdraw its patronage.
They will not continue. either. unless l am
sadly mistaken, as the owners, so pima
as they have been, are almost sure 10 take
the lesson of recent outbreaks in BROOKLYN
PHILADELPHIA, Boston. st. Louis and Jersey
CITY 10 heart in a way that will prevent
a rendition, at least in the near future
Foeel may be an exception. He appears
10 be entirely blind TO his own best inter
ests and 10 the public demand for clean
sport as emphasized in an open letter 10
him in The Philadelphia North American
on Tuesday
This letter. by the way might be directed
10 certain other owners in the National
League It follows. in part:
You will forfeit your right to the patron
age OF Phladelphia's baseball public unless
YOU issue an immediate announcement IIa'
see will never again be allowed 10 appear
as "A member of the Philadelphia National
League club Your own reputation is In
voved I'm seeing that proper punishment Is
visited on the principal In the most dis
graceful incident that professional base
han has ever known here. No matter What
the provocation, no matter now nau 1ne
umpiring nothing can condone the scene
forced on thousands Of spectators when an
umpire was beaten by 4 bigger man VII
he fell al the plate senseless ana olood Gov
~ e lnf n
norris baseball. Were Magee even greater
nlayer than he is. he has forfeited ms
right to stand as n representative OF Ghlla-
delphia sport. His continued presence or
the club would be q stigma on yourself and
its other members. II is not his hrst Oh
fence. lie has often been warned; Many
times his team has been weakened by MS
eiectments for senseless Kicking. on az
least one other occasion he laid violent hands
an an umpire Il now becomes your duty
20 end his chances for further ofending
here Manager Doom had the courage ~
get rid of McQuilen when that great pltch-
or developed tidits that untitled him Tor
membership on the team, ana the cluD
prohted by his departure. Your obIgauon
10 follow this course IS clear, and the great
public that supports the game and Is re-
sponsible for it's marvellous development
VIII applaud your devotion TO its true In
terests.
II the owners Of the Philadelphia club
disregard this warning and permit Fogei
10 continue venting his spleen and airing
his fancied grievances against President
Lynch who is trying TO maintain order
and make the game what IL must be TO
hold its place. they win lose the respect OF
all sportsmen, to say nothing Of much fine
gold.
II is refreshing TO me 10 forget the UNI
pire question long enough 10 comment for
a few moments on the remarkable struggle
going on for the National League pennant.
Such a race has rarely. II ever. been seen.
II is "off ag'in, on ag'in, goin' agin' for
first one team and then another in the
effort 10 get 10 the front and 10 stay there.
Five teams are in the fight, as the ST. Louis
Cardinals and the Pittsburg Pirates are
close on the heels OF the Giants. Cubs
and Phllies, who have been changing
places from day 20 day in way that Is
as perplexing as It is exciting. The follow
ing table shows how the three leaders have
been jumping about since independence
Day:
July New York Chicago Phila.
July 5-Phila. New YORK Chlcsso