Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-18
DENIES PLAYERS RIGHT *
TO ATTACK SPECTATOR
Declares Umpire, on Appeal, Would
Have Had Man Put Out.
WANTS TO HEAR ALL EVIDENCE
Says Refusal Of the Tigers to Play
Is Matter for Owners of
Club to Look
After.

CINCINNATI, Ohio, Nav 1s-Presi-
dent B. B. Johnson of the American
League on his arrival here today said he
had sent the following telegram to Man
ager Jennings Of the Detroit team:
'Cobbs suspension stands until the
matter is fully investigated IL teams re-
fuse to play that is a matter for the
club owners to make good on. Umpire
would have put the man out of the stand.
Cobb had no right to attack him.
President johnson appeared grimly de-
termined to keep Cobb out of the game
until the matter had been fully investigat-
ed. The matter of the players refusing to
play until Cobb was reinstated seemed TO
him to be of secondary consideration.
This. he declared, was a matter for the
club owners to attend to. Mr. johnson
said:
Speaking of the case unoficially. 1t
looks as il Cobb went way wrong in his
actions. OF course, he may have had
great provocation. The fellow may have
abused him just as Cobb claims he did
but where are the rules, and what are
they for?"
Should Have Appealed.
Cobb had but to appeal to the um-
pire. The umpire, upon Cobb's re-
quest. would have had no option. He
would have had the rooter thrown out
Of the ball park. and that would have
been the end Of the affair." What right
did Cobb have to rush into the stand.
knock q man down and kick him with
his spikes? OF course, / want to hear
all the evidence on both sides, but on
the face Of the returns l fail to see
w a nos hn ix.ot AA1
"As to the threat Of the players
their refusal to appear in any future
games-that is q matter for the club
owners to make good on. 1t is up to
part OF the AFFAIR. and can only en-
force the rules concerning fines In
dicted on clubs for failure to appear"
Issues ofacial Statement.
President johnson issued the following
official statement shortly after noon:
u am amazed at the attitude OF
Player Cobb and his teammates toward
the American League. which, while in
sistent on good order on the field and
strict compliance with the rules OF the
game, has always extended considera-
ton to. and provided protection for. its
players.
Player Cobb was indefinitely suspended
on the report of the umpire i'm charge OF
the game in which this unfortunate Incl
dent occurred. This did not, and does
not, mean that the order would remain in
force longer than was absolutely neces-
sAry to make a thorough investigation OF
the affair. 1 did not fix specified term
for his ineligibility for two reasons-first.
II did not know the exact time that would
be required for the examination: second
ly, until the investigation was completed
could not determine whether the player
was guilty as charged.
An American League player who Is
taunted or abused by patron has only
to appeal to the umpire for protection
against attacks from the grandstand
or the bleachers to have the objection
able party evicted from the grounds.
This has been our practice In every
park in our circuit and the policy will
be continued.
"It follows that there was and is no oc-
casion for a protest at the suspension OF
Player Cobb by him or his associates. as
he could have obtained immediate redress
and full protection by complaining to the
umpire
Sentiment With johnson.
johnson came here to attend the formal
dedication of the new stands erected at
National League Park. Many other
notable base ball men are on hand to
participate in the ceremonies. Sentiment
appeared to be with Johnson in the stand
he has taken.
President Lynch of the National League
declined to discuss the affair." but August
Hermann, chairman Of the national base
ball commission. indicated sympathy for
johnson. and apparent determination to
stand by the American League president
IL the case should come before the COM
mission.
Charles Comisky. president Of the Chi
cago American League club, discussing
the possibility of the Philadelphia Ameri-
cans joining the Detroit players In
sympathetic strike. said:
II cannot believe that the Philadelphia
PLAYERS will go SO far to wage a
sympathetic strike. They think too much
of Connie Mack to embarrass him In any