New-York tribune., 1918-11-24
7 aft Is Asked
ToBe Supreme
Baseball Head
Former President Consid-
ers Request and Is Expect
cd to Accept Post

William Howard Taft, former Presi-
dent of the United States, has been
asked by the powers of organized base
ball to act as the supreme court of the
laws governing the national game-to
supplant the National Commission, in
mer President in this city yesterday
afternoon. Mr.. Taft has the matter
under consideration and is expected to
give favorable answer in the near
future.
Harry II. Frazee, president Of the
Boston American League baseball club,
the worlds champion Red Sox, and
! Harry N Hampstead, president of the
I New York National League baseball
club. carried the representations Of
organized baseball to the former Chief
Executive. The move was made only
after Messrs. Frazee and Hampstead
had consulted with and received in
worsement of the step from a majority
of the club presidents of the National
and American leagues.
'Wc have every reason to feel en-
! couraged with the success of our mis-
sion so far" declared Mr.. Frazee at the
Lambs Club shortly after the confer
ence with the former President. "While
/ Mr.. Taft has not yet accepted our Of
! fer, he has not been deaf to our pleas
J We hope that he will return favor
able answer"
To Win Public Confidence
at is felt by the majority of owners
of the two major leages," said Mr.
Hampstead, chat Mr.. Taft is the mar
to win back the public's confidence il
this great sport. His is a judicia
mind Of the greatest magnitude. A.
our leading jurist, he could so shape
the administration of baseball law al
TO conform in the strictest sense tx
right and justice. Baseball may con
aide ritsclf fortunate if Mr.. Taft shall
consent to associate himself with the
sport"
Mcssrs. Hampstead and Frazee issuet
formal official statement as to thel
! par. in yesterdays negotiations, IL
which they said:
III. II. Frazee, president OF the
worlds champion Boston American
haseha!i Club, and H. N. Hampstead
nr4sident of the New York Nationa
League basball club, have had confer
cnces with several club owners in tn
A1nc rican and National leagues during
the last few months with view t.
changing the present form of Natlona
Commission to one man, and, feeling
that the man to fill this position at tn
head Of Americas national game shoul'
be a big American figure who has th'
esteem and respect of the American
nublic. it was decided to ask William
Howard Taft for an audience, which
was held in New York City by appoint
ment to-day
Mr.. Taft Considering
eve are very much pleasS Id to stat
that after our interview with Mr.. TAT
he has taken the matter under con
sitieratjon and we have great hope
that We may expect Il favorable reply
Our reason for hoping that Mr. TAT
vii, make favorable decision IS tha
T. would require very little Of his tim
ond not interfere with any ot his pres
on, activities. Our further idea, afte
dscussing the matter With the differ
en-: club owners. was that with on
man 80 the supreme head o. baseball
it would place the presidents of tn
Nations, and American leagues in tn
position Of appearing before him !
the capacity of counsel representa-
their respective organizations"