The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-20
HEYDLER TO REOPEN
HAL CHASE'S CASE
Will Give Noted First Base
man Opportunity to De-
fcnd Himself.
ny FREDERICK @. LIEB.


Having defined his foreign policy when
M announced he could not concur with
,bs American League In favoring the
r.olection Of August Hermann to the
csalrmanship OF the National Commits
son John Heydler. the new National
League president. now Is busily engaged
IN strengthening out the domestic Affairs
Of his circuit.
Heydler is making an exhaustive In
ysstisation OF the charges filed against
nal chase, the Cincinnati first basemant
Nv Christy Mathewson OF the Reds,
Naihewson suspended Chase for the sea-
son last August and accused Hal OF bet
ting against Cincinnati Before Heydler
was elected president OF the National
Jaague he did not feel he had the au-
thority 10 deal with the Chase case.
Heydler would not discuss the details OF
the case yesterday other than to say
that he is examining all of the evidence
tubmitted 10 the league.
The National League president Is CIV
irg Glass every opportunity TO defend
himself However, the fact that a man
ager OF Mathewsons integrity has seen
III TO file these charges against Chase
makes II look bad for the former Hill
top tavorite.
Heydler to-day will leave for Boston.
where he will attempt to put the house
{. the Braves in order. Despite the fact
that Arthur Wise recently settled up
with James Carney for the heavy notes
the former Brave owner held against the
cub, the Boston Nationals are moving
around without rudder and without
my executive head.
The club has had no president since
Tercy Haus'ton resigned last August to
accept a commission as Major In the
Chemical Warfare Service. 1t IN doubt
ful II Haughton will return to the presi-
Gsncy of the Braves on his return from
france, He received a salary OF SIS 900
with the Boston club, as his fame
IN Boston as coach OF the Harvard foot
Ran team was expected to make him q
great asset to the club. However, the
experience OF the Boston club has been
that great football reputation possessed
by a club president will not help bring
IN fans when the team il losing.
The Boston club will probably undergo
the same kind OF a reorganization that
the Cincinnati club went through the
ether day. While Arthur Wise and his
tanker associates paid Carney, they did
80 TO protect their rights to the fran
Chse, as Gaffney had threatened to FORE
close on them and take back the club
Y prospective buyers can be obtained
the present owners willingly would step
out
ws.tar Hapgood. former Boston
baseball writer. who has been business
r1arager Of the club for several years
probably will be elected president Since
the resignation of Haughton he has been
the active head Of the club
Both George Stallinss. manager Of the
Braves, and Charley Herzog, the Boston
captain, were in town during the recent
l=aeue meetings trying TO ascertain
where they stood for 1919.
While here Herzog said ne had signed
two year contract last spring but re-
cs!yed his unconditional release last fan.
he now wants TO know whether the con-
tract is binding in 1919.
My recollection OF the HerZos con-
'tact is that II was for one year aud ran
out last fall" said President Heydler
yesterday. II recall that Herzog signed
q contract with the Boston club last
sprine, with the ten day clause stricken
cut President Tener, however. refused
20 honor this contract, as the league
constitution now stipulates that no clubs
may change the regular form OF con-
tracts selected by both leagues. ! think
the Boston club took over HerBos's New
York contract, which had another year
20 rum
The question was put to Heydler that
"a player with a long term contract
was released last September, would the
contract hold good for 1919, provided the
original contract took In that year
There are very few long term contracts
IN existence" said Heydler. but in the
went that a player signed a two year
contract last spring and WAS released
With the other players when we were
shut down by tho War Department. It II
my understanding the original contrac,
would hold good in 1919.
Baseball had a recess due to condi-
tons over which we had no control. but
he professional game continued In oper-
alton. The leagues continued In opera
Ion and tho National Commission was
.unctionIng After this recess oondi-
Ions returned TO what they were befors
he work or night order shut down base
nail. ort!ons, contracts and otheT
'i'HFs therefore automatically 20 back
force"
Having closed what he regards tho
best deal OF his career. Miller HuEglns
he Yankee manager. returned to his
home In Cincinnati yesterday to stay
over the holidays Higgins says Shore
and Lewis. both Of whom are In the
navy, will be available to>the Yankees
next season. He said that several days
before the deal was completed Shore de.
Ned to the Boston officials that he said
10 would spend a year at sea after get
Ing his commission. Higgins said that
Shore will get his discharge before the
opening OF next season.
Higgins IL not yet through trading
Re IL sull after one or possibly two out
1eldsrs, He feels he has some available
trading material left. Ray Fisher, re-
Gently discharged from the army, may
% nut on tho trading block. Having
added Shore. Schneider and Quinn to hi
r!ghthanded pitchers since last fall, and
IS Miller also has been assured OF the
'eturn 81 shawkey. he figures Fisher car
De spared. Fisher always has been a
nigh salaried man on the Yankees. and
- he has been with the Yankees during