The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-25
TAFT INTIMATES HE
WILL ACCEPT OFFER
Former President, However,
Will Not Direct Affairs
Of Leagues.
AWAITS MORE DETAILS
Requests Information on Du-
ties lie Would Be Asked
to Fulfil.
AWAITS MORE DETAILS
NJ FREDERICK @. LIEB.

william Howard Taft. former Prcsi-
s,ut OF the United States. intimated
,,s,erday that he might accept a posi-
ss arbitrator for the National and Amer
lean baseball leagues. Last Saturday
lie was asked by Presidents Harry N.
Hampstead and Harry FraZee OF the
New York National ana Boston Ameri-
can League clubs respectively TO be-
come a sort OF one man national COM
missioner Of baseball.
While MIR. Taft intimated yeSterday
that he might give tho offer favorable
consideration he made II plain that he
would not assume any other OF the for
ner duties OF tho National Commission.
lie Mainly stipulated that he would take
no part in the management of any OF
the baseball institutions. The former
Presidents statement, which was sent
10 the Public Ledger OF Philadelphia
follows:
'Mr. Hampstead and Mr.. Frazeo
called on me Saturday to ask me X I
would consider acting as arbitrator be-
tween the National and American base
ball leagues, in matters, involving the
legal construction OF contracts between
the leagues ana their application TO
transactions between them as they
might arise. / said TO them that I did
not practise Law, as an advocate in
courts, but that had acted as ar itra-
tor In several case~.
81 said that II they would write me n
description of the kind Of arbitration In
which they wished me to- act and the
particular junction they wished me to
perform l would consider IL and advise
them I could not act except as n Judge
Of law and fact or in any way take part
IN management OF their associations.
1T must be work Of n strictly legal
professional character. I said further
that wished to consult my brother
Charles TO be assured by him that he
had parted with all interest In baseball
properties so that should l become ar
bitratog no question could arise as TO
my impartiailty between parties con-
tending before me-"
Needs Cooperation.
This shows that with proper coopera-
ton ey the presidents OF the National
bnd American leagues Mr. Taft might
accept the position az Judge of baseball
and give the sport the benefit OF his
prestige as well as his trained legal
mind For some time, 1t has become
evident that many OF the duties OF the
present National Commission were abb
toutely superfuous
While It Is evident that the offer made
By Presidents Frazee and Hampstead. OF
TIE Red Sox and Giants respectively,
was known TO only coterle OF Eastern
club owners and had no real authority,
their action is bang well received.
With the cards all on the table It
Is evident a "bloodlsss" revolution was
intended TO sweep August Hermann the
present chairman Of the National Com
mission, and Ban johnson. president OF
the American League, out of power. II
tS-rresIdent TAM will consent 70 ect as
Judge to settle disputes between the
two leagues the coup d'etat will have
teen successful, as 1t will remove all
necessity for continuing Hermann In
Office as chairman OF the commission.
President johnson OF tho American
League was in New York yesterday, but
refused to be interviewed n was said
ct the Hotel Wolcott that he had given
orders not to be disturbed. AS Johnson
Is facing o revolution In his own leae tie,
perhaps he was afraid 20 say anything
fearing he might further antagoniEe his
own revolution!sts
Acting President Heydler OF the Ma
tional League said 'baseball must be
congratulated for seeking 20 engage
man OF the character and distinction OF
William Howard Taft"
Charles II. Ebbets. president OF tho
Brooklyn Nationals. lost little time In
indorsing the action Of Presidents
Hemietead and Frazee. Yesterday he
cent telegram to Mr.. Taft saying he
end his associates on the Brooklyn club
earnestly hoped he would accept the
otlce OF national commissioner OF base
ball Ebbets assured Mr.. Taft OF his
unqualified support.
Mack DisaKr<es.
Connie Mack in Philadelphia said: "I
regret deeply that n former President
OF the country should be placed In an
embarrassing position by Frazee OF Bos-
ton, who was acting on hts own initia-
tive He was not empowered to speak
Tor the American League.
"Frazee Is a lime lighter and gives
the American League a black eye by his
Irresponsible and unjustihable action in
Offering a position TO a big man OF the
country.
The only way the national commits
sion can be changed is at n meeting OF
the American League. IL the members
want Taft as sole member OF the COM
mission they will decide 30 at a meeting.
The National League may have TO
come to an understanding about Tart,
but It kept II secret from tho Ameri-
can League with the exception OF FraEeo,
who Is the last man in tho world We
e. 4. g..