The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-11-25

not act except as a judge of law and fact, or in any way take part in the management of their associa- tions.
 'It must be work of strictly legal character. 1 said, further, that I wished to consult my brother Charles, to be assured by him he had parted with all interest in baseball proper ties, so that, should become arbitra- tor, no question could arise as to my impartiality between parties contend ing before me-"
 Baseball men of the country were almost unanimous in their approval yesterday of one-man National Com mission with William Howard Taft, former President of the United States as that man, to handle the controver- sies of the nations game. The eX- captions were two of those who right now enjoy positions on the baseball tribunal.
 August Hermann, chairman or the present National Commission, char acterized the movement to place MT. Taft in control of baseball as 2 huge joke. In an interview given in Gin Cinnati yesterday Mir. Hermann first pleaded his complete ignorance of the possibility or contemplation of such 8 move, and then added that it. ap- pealed to him most humorously.
 Byron Bancroft Johnson, President of the American League, and as such a member of the commission, slip ped quietly into New York yesterday and hid himself behind the doors of his hotel. He refused to see any news papermen and by the same token re- fused to discuss the new situation. Persons in charge at the hotel where MT. Johnson is known to be located refused to give out any information as to how long MT. Johnson expects to remain in New York. Mir. John son would not answer the telephone probably because he did not wish tc discuss baseball with the new move in view.
 Rumors flew thick around baseball headquarters yesterday that Ban Johnson may be deposed as head ot the American League at the coming meeting next month, Several own. CTS have publicly declared their op- position to MT. Johnson acting fur. ther. It was said yesterday that MT Taft had been offered the place a! supreme baseball judge, as a first steT in movement to get rid of MT. John son. H. H. Frazee, owner of the Bos ton Red Sox. is one owner seeking new order of things in baseball.
 John Heydler, Acting President o the National League, and holder o the third seat on the National Com mission, declared that should MI Taft accept the leadership of baseball 1t would be the most wonderful thin that ever happened for the game. MI Heydler gave his unqualified suppor to the movement. In speaking 0 the change in baseball legislation, MI Heydler said:
 Baseball would benefit greatl should MT. Taft accept the responsi bility offered him. It would do tn game tremendous good and woul materially aid to settle the many pet ty wranGles which are now detractin from the worth of baseball"
 "A well-trained legal mind is ex tremely necessary in the conduct ( baseball" continued MT Heydle Many questions arise between tn major and minor leagues that ar much involved and only can be col rectly strengthened out by jurist experience.
 "I am certain that MT. Taft woul do baseball world of good. I kno he could handle the work of the N tional Com mission much better alor t, than as the commission is now mac up. There are few times during u year when the three members of Il commission are able to sit togethe and most of the cases must be deci ed by mail. With such an able iu \ ist as MT. Taft considering the cas Ssent through the lower legislative bo ies, and knowing his lack of pref dice, it is certain that all concern, would benefit. It is basebalTs hi gest move, and should go through
 Charles H. Ebbets, President of | Brooklyn Dodgers, added by his SUI port to the movement started by Ha ry N. Hampstead, President of Il Giants and Harry H. Frazee. NJ Ebbets sent a telegram to Mir. Ta saying that he and his associates
 the Brooklyn club earnestly ho that Mir. Taft will accept the off of National Commissioner Mir. F bets assured MT. Taft of his unqua fled support.