Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-14
Special Dispatch 10 The Star.

Special Dispatch 10 The Star
CHICAGO, January ia plan to
abolish the national commission and SUD-
stitute a body of three or five disinter-
ested parties to govern organized base
ball is the latest outburst from the fer
tile brain of Charles w. Murphy, presi-
dent Of the Cubs
The West Side magnate claims he can
feel such a revolution in the air and also
claims a majority of the club owners of
each major league agrees with him, but
all are afraid to come out and say so.
Murphy is noted as man who says what
he thinks and speaks it quickly, but in
this instance the Cub magnate claims TO
have cherished his scheme in silence for
many months. He says he had 1t all
framed in choice words to present to the
base ball magnates at the meeting OF
the National Association OF Minor
Leagues in San Antonio last November.
but hadn't an opportunity: CONSEQUENT
ly. he declares, he's talking this time
under no stress of emotion nor for per-
sonal gain. but for the good of base ball,
which has outgrown the garments given
it at the time of the signing of the peace
agreement in 1903.
wrangles and outbreaks with members
Of the present commission, he asserts In
most positive manner that it is with no
malice toward them that he brings out
the new scheme. Rather. he claims, 1t Is
to avoid such outbreaks that he pro-
poses the new plan.
Won't Do Now.
THE national commission was all right
as an emergency body to take charge OF
things just after the base ball wal" said
Murphy, but 1t has no business to act
in judicial manner today when its men,
bers are parties to the case. Its chair
man is one of the club owners in the
bers are the presidents Of the two major
leagues. All are interested parties In or
ganized base ball and are called upon to
settle disputes arising In their own or
ganizations.
"One wouldn't expect a judge to act on
a case that involved his own property.
would he? Well, that's just what the
members Of the national commission are
called upon to do. 1t puts them In a
compromising light before the public and
1t makes no difference how honest they
are. it leaves a loop hole for the public
to say they are prejudiced. Garry Herr
mann, present chairman of the commits
sion, has to depend on the other two
members for his reelection each year.
Well. he's the biggest man in base pail
because OIL his pOSltlOIl, uHu Tic PouiAN
may believe he caters to the views OF
President Johnson of the American
League. SO as to be sure of his re-eiec-
ton.
Hermann is owner of the Cincinnati
club, and has no bus ness on the commits
sion. The two major league presidents
should have enough to do in handling the
affairs of their respective leagues without
acting on a commission as well.
Now, IL we had commission OF three
or five men who had no interests what.
ever in either league or any minor league
and were chosen because of their honesty
and efficiency, and this commission were
to act as q supreme court FOR all disputes
that came up. 1t would not only give the
player or the magnate interested an un-
biased verdict. but 1t would establish pub
lie faith the game.
Splendid men might be obtained to fill
these important positions on the commits
sion. There are one or two retired judges
who are lovers Of base ball and whose
regulations are clean. There are q Few
old ball players. like Dave Foutz and
Capt Arson. whose honesty never Is
questioned. would be in favor OF elect
ing such q commission for lie ana max
ing II all powerful. There could De no "a
voritism. All parties would receive JUS
tice and the base ball>public would know
absolutely that the game was square.
IT firmly believe that such q cond1t on
will be established In organized base ball
In the near future. Then there will be less
wrangling and less Of politics. The players
and club owners alike will benefit. Dis