The sun., 1918-11-26
TAFT, HERE, WANTS
NO EXECUTIVE WORK
Again Emphasizes Unwilling
ness to Accept Active Posi-
ton in Running Baseball.
MACK SURPRISES FRAZEE
American League Leader Of
Revolt Had Counted on
Philadelphia Support.
MACK SURPRISES FRAZEE
nv FREDERICK @. LIEB.

Organized Baseball may induce WILL
lam Howard Taft to become Identified
With Il only II II proceeds in a calm.
,ud,c,ous way. That was the impression
rsc.iyed by the writer last night after
talk with the former President at the
home OF his brother. Henry w. Taft, In
this city.
M. Taft declared that he was giving
serious consideration u the baseball
offer made him last Saturday BY Harry
u.mpstead OF the Giants and Harry
Trazee OF the Boston Red Sox. but only
IN the capacity that he outlined in his
statement last Sunday night
Il had a pleasant talk with Mt
p.npstead and Mr.. FraLee on Satur-
aay," said Mr.. Taft. "and think / COW
area the ground entirely in the state
nsut I gave out on Sunday night. l
outlined the points under which said
might be able to consider the offer. and
that remains my attitude. There also
ara outside conditions of which l spoke
"a them. which must be taken into con-
sideration. II l do accept the position
must entail no executive duties. I think
have made that plain.
The situation. therefore, remains I'M
changed l am giving the proposition
consideration, but as yet have reached
no decision.
No Urging Wires Received.
Mr.. Taft was asked whether he had
received any kilograms from any of the
other club owners urging him TO &C
cept the offer rendered him by Messrs
Hampstead and Frazee.
mo, / have not received any such
kilograms nor have l seen any of the
baseball people since my talk with Mr..
Hampstead and MIR. FraZee last Satur-
day" continued the smiling ex-Presi-
dent. Such kilograms may have been
sent 70 me in Washington, however"
Though Mr. Taft declined to go At
length into the matter, the interviewer's
impression was that Mr.. TAFT considers
the next move must come from base
bali and that he will not discuss the
question any further until baseball
makes him a genuine offer, and Messrs
Hampstead and Frazee give him the in
formation he has asked for.
He wants to know just what duties
the baseball people want him to fulfil
and the nature OF the cases which he
would be obliged to decide. This Just
now Is a delicate matter among the
club owners who are most DESTROYS OF
bringing Mr.. TAFT into baseball in some
capacity.
Just what cases would Mr.. Taft be
asked 10 decide? While such cases as
the George Sisler and Scott Perry cases
received lots of publicity, heretofore the
National Commission has handled hun
dreds Of small cases. taking UP such
matters as a few days back pay owed
to players. expenses TO and from minor
league clubs, &C., which TIE general
pubic never heard Of A man of Mr.
Tafts cal!bre could not and would not
spare the time to hear such trivial cases.
Discord May Spoil II.
FraEee yesterday expressed surprise
that the other club owners did not show
greater aptitude in grasping the i'm
portance OF obtaining Mr.. TaftS serV
Ices for baseball.
Il thought everybody would see what
wonderful thing II would be for base
ball II we could induce Mr.. Taft to ac-
cept the position. l thought the base
tall men in the East would get up a
special party to-day to wait on Mr.. Taft
In New Haven and urge him to accept
our offer"
bfr. Frazee expressed fear that the
objections OF some OF the club owners on
ineonsequential grounds might spoil the
whole thing. and that Il Mr.. Taft got the
idea that there was lack OF concord
among the owners as TO his filing the
position he Immediately would decline
l. Mr.. Frazee especially said he was
surprised at the sayings OF Connie Mack
In Philadelphia He intimated Mack
was one OF the mon who knew the oier
would be made TO Mr.. Taft
Messra Frazee and Hampstead have
SAINT kilograms to all club owners in
their respective leagues, urging them
to wire Mr., Taft Immediately at New
Haven, saying they hoped he would ac-
cept the position and that the former
President could count on their unquali-
tied support 1t seems all the National
League men with the exception OF
Garry Hermann have agreed to send
such kilograms.
Col. Rupert supports Idea.
In the American League the sentiment
does not seem to be so unanimous only
Col Rupert. president of the Yankees.
20 far has announced his support of
Mr.. Frazees action.
Col. Rupert said yesterday; Former
President TAFT would be a wonderful
man TO have rs legal adviser for or
gained baseball II he would consent Il
act In such capacity and provided he
could give sufficient time 10 the work"
Mr., Hampstead Of the Giants brought
out an odd angle OF the situation yes
teriay. when he said that he and Mr.
i1otS ulu not actually OfleT MT IdIl
mo position as one man National
Commission, but asked him II he would
consider the position II It was rendered
to him.
u think our position generally wa,
mlslnderstoOd." said Mr.. Hampstead
We had no authority to make Mr.
TAT such an offer. but representing
several owners we called on him tc
"a er'a,n whether he would be able e
consider such an offer. Frazee and
u'ed 70 make that plain last Saturday
Johnson Slips Out.
Pan Johnson. American League presi
o''.t whose throne is topping, slipped
ol' o. town yesterday without granting
an Interview. II Is one OF the few timet
~ Mr.. Johnson ever has been in New
forN without breaking into print.
however Mr.. Johnson's position Il
such that he could not possibly hav,
an hing to say. IL he were to openll
cr'ic.se the action offering the job o
national Commissioner to Mr.. Taft 1
would further hurt his standing, an,
u he were to indorse II he would hav
70 5rction a move taken over his heat
o. Mr. Frazee. whose purpose Is to ellmi
nate Johnson from baseball