Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-13
By w. j. McBeth.

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NEW YORK, July 12.-Ban John
IN son used to be a real Moses to
his American League children.
He led them out OF the wilderness
of the war days into an era Of finan-
cial milk and honey. But, like the
celebrated Duke OF York, with his
stored ten thousand men, having
marched his forces up the hill, the big
car gives evidences OF intention TO
march them down again. The green
pastures of the promised have failed
to satisfy Ban hungers once more
for the wilderness. Mighty in war
the American League president
chafes under the monotony of peace.
His restless soul. thwarted in its
belligerency toward certain foemen
of the National League, has been
forced. on occasion. TO seek a vent In
interference with the henchmen Of
his own domain.
Ban Attacks Birmingham.
The latest outburst of the American
League autoCrat was directed against
Joe Birmingham, manager of the
Cleveland club. Mr. Johnson init
mated that in his opinion, Birming
ham was no fit person to be in charge
Of an American League club. What
ever prompted the attack. it appeared
very i'll timed. In the few short
months he had been in charge Of the
Maps Birmingham had fashioned a
pennant contender from an habituRl
second division aggregation. His
club was very much in evidence as
a potent factor of the struggle. And
az the public. after all, pays its good
money in the expectation of patron
izing and propitiating results, Mr..
johnson aroused no loud hurrahS of
Endorsement to his attack on Bir
mingham. Mr.. Johnson simply
raised against the popularity in his
own bailiwick the resentment of one
more city.
Cleveland fandom is not likely
quietly to brook the official interior
ence of even the mighty Johnson with
a man who is making good in its
opinion.
Birmingham. unfortunately, had
troubles of his own at the time;
eternal dissensIons that could best
be Strengthened out in the clubhouse.
The great Napoleon Lajoie objected
to club discipline when his manager
thought il to the best interests of
all TO give the mighty FrenChman a
rest. LaJOie went over Birmingham S
head with a direct appeal to Presi-
dent CharleS SomerS, Perhaps, II was
with the idea of throwing out a hint
10 the boss as to his personal views
Of the matter that Johnson expressed
himself in such emphatic disapproval
of Birmingham. However, il is quite
certain now that Ban Johnson and
not Joe birmingham viii be held re-
sponsible for the shortcomings of
Cleveland. if the inside chickering's de-
velop into open club warfare in the
Forest City.
Johnson Knocks alive Ones"
For some reason, Mr.. Johnson ap-
pears to have a penchant for pick
ing onto live wires" and indorsing
dead ones" His meddlesome dis
position has "Dutched" him in half
of the American League cities He
is about as popular in st. Louis as
scarlet fever in a nursery. For years
and years he was openly accused,
in the Mound City, Of trying TO drive
Bob Hedges out of the league. once
Hedges actually negotiated a sale.
But the prospective buyers failed 10
make good the first payment, and the
Browns reverted to the original own
ership. Ban, at the time, took no
pains TO conceal his disappointment.
There are those in New York bold
enough to accuse Johnson OF enter
tanning kindred designs upon Frank
Farrells property. Charlie Comis-