Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-22
JOHNSON TALKS ON
LIVE BASE BALL TOPICS
Commission VIII Probe Worlds
Series Ticket Scandal
This Winter.
SHORTER SCHEDULE
Is NOW ASSURED
Believes League Will Be Stronger.
Has No knowledge Of Boston .,
Deal, But Knows Baird.
sseesss p.spateA to 1ns star.


NEW YORK. November 22.-Ban John
son. president Of the American League,
who is here attending the Gordon Farrell
base ball lawsuit. made some interesting
comments IN reply TO questions relating
70 the national game.
els the national commission really going
60 probe the alleged sale Of worlds series
tickets to speculators?' he was asked.
THAT is the commissioners PLAN" was
Johnson's reply. 'I have considerable
evidence, which, of course. I cannot make
public now, but II will come out probably
when the commission meets here Decem-
Der IL You know the commission post
poned the investigation until that date so
that we could take il up in this city dur
ing the annual meetings OF the National
and the American leagues, to be held
simultaneously"
DO .you think you can prove that some
body got punches of tickets for the specu-
Iators before the public sale occurred?
I'm not thinking anything about 1t.
I'm just digging away quietly and hoping
that III discover something.
Have you seen John T. Brush since
the worlds series?"
mo; he was i'll in Chicago when We ex-
changed letters and he left there for this
city while / was taking a short vacation
in the woods, AS I've said before, don't
believe Mr.. Brush knows anything about
the SPECTATORS"
DO you feel sure that the worlds series
will begin next year not later than oc-
tober 7?''
Short Schedule Sure.
Absolutely sure Of It! The big leagues
are controlled by men who have deter
mined TO prevent the former long sched-
ules. There will be no more foolishness
about Columbus day. The base ball pub
lie begins to grow weary of the pennant
races right after Labor day, except in
one or two cities which are factors in the
winning of the championships. I've al
ways believed that the major league
schedules should end on or about October
I, and still include 154 games. Then the
worlds series could be played under fine
weather conditions with no chance for
such a rainy spell as partially spoiled the
series this fall
Have you anything to say about the
American League circuit for next year,"
II am sure it will be stronger. OF
course. the Athletics will make another
hard fight for the pennant. but they may
have more stubborn opposition. The Bos
ION Red Sox have been reorganized with
McAleer stakeholder and Stahl mana
ger Donovan viii be retained scout
and a strong team IS assured. Griffith
Will make an excellent manager in Wash
ington. He Is a hard worker and simply
him back In the American League. The
Chicago White SoN have a new handler
in Jimmy Callahan of whom Comiskey
has a gh opinion. 7 firmly believe that
CIevelar has made ten-strike in sign
ing Harry Davis to succeed Stovaii
cannot say anything just now about the
ST. Louis Browns; and as for the High
Ianders, Mr.. Farrell has plans of his own
which ] think will bear fruit when they
are put into effect.
do you know anything about the re-
ported sale OF the Boston Nationalist
"Only what I've read in the newspapers.
Charles Baird. who is mentioned, once
tried to buy the Boston Americans. He
was identified with athletics at the Uni
tersity of Michigan several years ago and
has plenty of backing. Henry Kiiilea,
who is said to be Baird partner in the
proposed purchase of the club, is one Of
the attorneys for the Chicago, Milwaukee
and ST Paul railroad and was a stock
holder in the Boston Red Sox some time
ago
DO you have an idea that there'll be a
third major league some day?''
Why, anything is possible, but it takes
a lot of money to start a base ball league,
and We are prepared 10 fight such a
move to finish I don't believe we'll
llosted business men will see their way
lear to make wildcat investments.
There's money III base Dali, sure enough,
hut il is due 10 the fact that the game Is
organized and peace reigns. While the
game was in q chaotic state base ball in
vcstments were risky"
DO you maintain that the American
League excels the National League in
playing strength"
Certainly The post season shows II.
The Athletics outclassed the Giants, didn't
they? And the White Sox trounced the
Cubs, too. Then again the Browns trim
med the Cardinals in st. Louis. In Bog
ton the Red Sox were vastly superior to
the Rustlers, weren't they? The Detrots
were more formidable than the Pitts
burghs Besides, we had the best all
around man in the game. Ty Cobb. AS
time passes the public will be convinced
that our circuit is the best. We've had a
wonderfully prosperous campaign and abb
solute harmony prevails among our club