Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-15
FOGEL AFTER LYNCH
PhiI|ies' President Sore Over
Suspension of Magee.
CLUB OWNERS TO BLAME
Held Responsible for Rowdyism on
National League Fields-Pub-
lie Is for Clean Ball.
CLUB OWNERS TO BLAME

NEW YORK. July 1J.--President Hor-
ace Fogel of the Philadelphia club. con-
WINGED that Sherwood Magee has been
unjustly suspended for his unprovoked
assault on Umpire Finneran, IS out with
a formal statement that he Will try to
defeat President Lynch when the latter
again runs for Office at the National
League meeting next December. Fogel
makes the bold assertion that Lynch "has
1t in for the Phillies, thereby implying
that the National Lea CUES president has
instructed his umpires to deal unfairly
with Dooin's team. Nobody identified with
professional base ball, however, believes
such UNIV warranted charges. Lynch is a
conscientious. scrupulously fair official.
whose record for integrity and square
dealing as an umpire made his election
to the National League presidency pos
sibie.
To charge Lynch with purposely trying
to keep the Philadeiphias from winning
the pennant, base ball men say, is Sc
rious Offense, and unless Fogel can fur
nisl absolute proof II Is suggested that he
should be brought up with sharp turn
by the National Leagues board Of di-
rectors.
Base balls popularity. which means big
profits, depends upon It's honesty. For
thirty years the game has been kept free
from dishonorable methods. It wasn't SO
very long ago that we'll known pitcher.
hot headed and irresponsible, declared
that ne knew of a thrown game" but
when he was unable to prove the asser-
ton he was severely dealt with. Unless
President Lynch Is sustained by q ma or-
ity of the club owners in the National
League it is predicted that the game in
Philadelphia will receive a black eye.
Hurts the Game.
Following the methods of real sports
men. who believe that umpires should be
upheld, the Philadelphia club would be
more highly esteemed, 1t is thought, il
President Fogel insisted upon clean base
ball by preventing his players from kick
ing at all. This result can be achieved,
because other major league club owners
have proved it. President Benjamin F.
Shibe Of the Philadelphia Americans-the
Athletics--and his manager. Connie Mack.
have set an example that President Fogel
might easily follow. Shibe and Mack
make a practice of informing the .Ath-
letics at the beginning Of each season
that no kicking is desired.
I'VE have agreed to pay you liberal
salaries TO play the best ball YOU can"
they say. I'VE do not want to have the
umpires disputed. because suspensions
will deprive Us of Your valuable services.
The umpires are honest and will try to
give you a square deal They may be
In error at times, but their mistakes
will even up in the long run. 1t doesn't
do any good to bully Or insult them. be-
cuuse II they become hostile you won't
get an even break. So go along smooth
ly and let the umpiring take care Of
ITSELF
This sound advice has borne fruit The
Athletics do not kick. The umpires know
that they will receive fair treatment, and
their anlicabfe relations with Mack S men
produce frictionless base ball. There are
no personal encounters at Sfibe Park or
on the road, and the Athletics are popu-
lar everywhere They won the worlds
championship last year by clean methods
and were entitled to premier honors. The
same policy prevails throughout the
American League because President
Johnson has insisted upon respect for
tine umpres from the outset. President
Lynch is anxious to conduct the National
League on similar lines, but so far he
has met with very little of the right sort
Of encouragement
Clash Is Absurd
Fogers rsinuations have brought mat
ters to a crisis and the other club own
ers must either sustain Lynch or stand
for base ball anarchy. In supporting
Magee, for instance, Fogei has encour-
aged a breach of the rule which pro-
liibits kicking against decisions inrov-
ing a question Of judgment. The rule is
clearly written and is one of the funda-
mental principles OF the national game.
Base bail without rules or unlpires would
not attract public patronage. so that big
salaries and expensive ball parks would
be impossible. Cmpires are human, and
if constantly nagged abused are lia BILE
to err, whereas their work may be more
satisfactory If they are permitted to pro-
coed with the entire support of the
league president and tie club owners
.f,.A,l r,cs ON f,;t 49,.