New-York tribune., 1917-12-09
Tencr and Johnson Have
Been Bandying Words Ever
Since World Series
By w. ]. Macbeth

vived by that peculiar twist OF rivalry
which has left the Two major leagues
or at least their presidents--at each
others throats.
That some sort Of feud exists be-
tween John X. Tener aud Ban John
son, presidents, respectively, of the
National and American leagues. no
one will attempt TO deny. They have
been bandying words 70 and fro ever
since the last world series. Whether
this spirit of belligerency will be
taken up by the rival camps or the
two leaders left to sulk out their re-
spective grievances the present week
should determine.
Important Problems
The week marks the annual meet
ings of the major organizations. The
National club presidents Will convene
on Tuesday afternoon at the Waldorf
Astoria; the American moguls ono
day later in Chicago. There are many
matters of mutual and vital import
ance. Whether these will be settled
severally is n question which is just
now agitating several National League
minds.
For there is a mix-up in the Ma
tional League camp which leaves the
whole situation about as wholesome as
the basket Of ripe eggs the farmer
tossed at his hired man. Some few
days ago August Hermann, chairman
OF the National Commission, arranged
with Ban Johnson a joint meeting OF
the two big leagues in Chicago next
Thursday. President Tener immedi-
ately declared that such bargain
was news 10 him. He insinuated that
Hermann had acted beyond his
sphere.
Hermann, on the other hand, main
tains that he was sent 10 Chicago TO
see Mr. Johnson fully authorized Gas
National Commission chairman 10 act
for the National League in the inter
ests of common baseball good. lie
says that he and four other club own
ers of the National Learue will be in
Chicago on schedule time, irrespective
of what attitude the executive may as.
sumo.
This proposed meeting, by the way.
has furnished the reading public many
a laugh during the week past. One
minute il would be on; the next min
ute it would be of. Indeed, Johnson
himself called it OFF early yesterday
morning. Later, after frantic appeal
by telephone on the part of Mr.. Herr
mann, the Car consented 10 let the
original date fov>an audience stand.
Governor Tener yesterday would not
discuss the matter at all. He assumed
a non-commttal innocence and a bsf-
fling smile.
Too Much of Too Little
81 refuse further TO be mixed up with
any nonsensical discussions" he said.
81 have already defined my attitude and
do not wish 70 amplify it any. Too
much has been made Of too little al
ready"
While he refused to speak for pub
lication yesterday, it seems pretty GER
tain from his earlier remarks that
President Tener will put the matter
of the JOINT meeting squarely up 70 his
associates at Tuesdays meeting. IL
five of the National League club own
ers indorse Herrmann's policy-ss
Garry insists they will--then the mat
ter will be settled. The desertion OF
five of eight club owners would knock
the National League meeting right into
a cooked hat, as it would leave no
quorum.
The puzzling part OF the whole mud
die Is the utter unconcern with which
the joint meeting is regarded, both by
Messrs. Johnson and Tener. Big Ban
intimated yesterday that the conference
had been sought by the National
League and was granted purely as a
favor He could not see what good a
joint meeting could possibly do toward
clarifying the baseball atmosphere
Tener has maintained ali along that
this meeting. if held, must of neces.
sity be an informal one. To a man up
a tree from this angle it looks like
Garry Herrmann's pet idea.
There is bad blood between the rival
league presidents, despite the fact that
each believes himself quite capable Of
conducting his Office without friendly
help. Johnson is piqued, not alone at
the criticism directed against him by
National Leaguers few weeks ago.
when he made such a bad break about
exemption of players. He is further
annoyed by having to swallow the i54.
game schedule against his will. He
charges the rival circuit with holding
over his head the Polo Grounds club
IL was 4 case Of accepting the long
schedule or finding a home for Colonel
Ruppert's team.
With the l54-game schedule assured,
there seems little of moment 70 attract
unusual attention at the National
League meeting. II Herrmann's pro-
posed conference is held IL very neces-
sarily VIII prevent much activity in the
few available hours Of Tuesday after
noon. IL the joint meeting comes a
crcpper, special legislation on the part
OF the National League is not likely 10
be aired until after those magnates get
an inkling Of American League policies.
Roster Local Question
The roster limit. of course, Is bound
20 command due respect some time be-
fore the opening Of next season. But
from what President Tener said last
week there is likely TO be no change
in the number Of twenty-five players
per club now allowed. The roster limit
is at best but local question.
President William +. Baker OF the
Philadelphia Nationals said some time
ago he would advocate a new contract
clause giving the employer power 20
reduce salaries or terminate contract
II poor business justified such action.
Mr. Baker has not been so positive
toward this reform since II was pointed
out to him that such a contract, being
even less equable than the present IN.
strument. would never stand legal i'm
vestigation. OF course, Mr.. Tencr's
term Of Office expires, but on the s..
surance OF several msgnstes he will be
elected unanimously for a further term
OF five years.
The annual meeting Of the Inter
national League will be held tomorrow
at the Imperial Hotel. The main sub-
iect for debate by the Barrow bench.