Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-11-25
TAFT CONSIDERS
Big LEAGUE JOB
Will Not Manage but
Would Asst as Legal
N Adviser
IA &,5~ -- ...s
WANTS MORE LIGHT

William Howard Taft Is considering
she possibility Of accepting an offer to
act as baseball arbitrator. Mr., Taft
mas, no intention of taking part in the
management of the baseball lea
It was reported from New York Sat.
urday that an offer had been made to
the former, President to become sole
member of the national commission of
the National and American Leagues.
This offer was said to have been
made by H.. N. Hampstead, president
Frazee, president Of the Boston Ameri.
cans.
Mr.. Taft. in a telegram, makes plain
MS position in regard to the baseball
sltuation, His message follows:
~ Mr.. Hampstead and Mr. Frazee
called on me Saturday to ask me if
would consider acting as arbitrator
between the National and American
baseball Leagues in matters involv-
ing the legal construction of con.
tracts between the leagues and their
application to transactions between
them as they might arise.
f-.-l said to them that did not prac-
tice law as an advocate in courts,
E but that | acted as arbitrator in sew
!. eral cases. / said that if they would
q write me description of the kind of
/ arbitration in which they wished me
4 to act and the particular function
7 they. wished me to perform I would
consider it and advise them. I could
not act except as lasjudge of'law and
y fact, or in any. way take part in the
{ nanagement of their. associations.
4 1t must be work of a strictly legal
professional character.
I said, further, that I wished to
consult my brother Charles to be
assured by him that he had parted
with all interest in baseball prop
critics, so that should / become arbi-
4 traitor no question could arise as to
my impartiality between parties con-
tending before me.
-, " p WILLIAM II. TAFT.
The following telegram was sent yes
terday to Mr.. Taft by w. +. Baker,
president of the Philadelphia National
I League ball club:
"The Philadelphia National League
ball club wills welcome your accept
I ance of the position of sole arbitrator
I or Judge in all matters of dispute and
+, claims heretofore brought before our
National Commission, as constituted
today, The change from the present
commission of three to that of a single
head will entail considerable readjust-
Z nent. and / will pledge you my sup.
port in every way possible II arrange
ments can be made with you to take
over this important task 1t will be
with much confidence that the club
owners, the players and the fans will
receive and accept your decisions in all
I matters referred to you" E.,
Cincinnati, O., Nov. 20. - August
Z Hermann, chairman of the National
5 Baseball Commission, said tonight he
had been unable during the day to ge'
+ into communication with B. B. John
I son, president of the American League
and that, aside from newspaper re
ports. he knew absolutely nothing rela
!. tive to the offer said to have been mad'
! to William Fl. Taft to become soil
member of the commission.
Pittsburgh, Nov. 25.--Barney Drey
Z fus, owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates
i expressed annoyance yesterday because
of what he terms "A leak in the nego'
4 tiations to induce William Fl. Taft tC
accept a position as sole commissioner
Z of both major baseball leagues.
NJ Nothing was to be said about this
Il matter until Mr.. Taft had been; con
Y suited" said Mr.. Dreyfus. I'VE had mer
chosen to approach him and get an idea
as to how he would view the proposi.
tion. But it was a case of some one
4 not being able sto keep secret under
Z his hat" .,, .'.
his recent trip east and west was fol
the purpose of getting the ideas of clut
owners and managers regarding the pro
posal. He said the east tsok to 1t, with
out reserve and that he v DIS going wes
this week for further conference.
E Chicago, Nov. 25.--William r. Wrig
ley Jr., principal stockholder of thu
2 Chicago National League clubs, las
night came out f1atfooted for the plsr
10 make Taft the supreme power II
BASEBALL II am heartily in favor o
the idea," said Mr. Wrigley. Il have
ss been in favor of one-man nationa
commission for a long time. and ! hop'
II above all things that Mr.. Taft no
only will be the man selected, but tha
he will take the responsibility
New York, Nov 25.-Charles H. Eb
bets, president of the Brooklyn baseball
4 club, yesterday sent a telegram to viii
b liam H. Taft. saying that he and his as
sociates. of the Brooklyn club earnestl!
hoped that Mr.: Taft would accept th
jor league baseball. Mr., Eibbetis as
sured Mr.. Taft of1ffis unqualified sup
= port
New York. Nov. 25.-Bap 3 Johnson
president of the American League, ar
rived here last night. His visit to New
York Is ssid.to be connected with con
ference that is 10, be held looking I,
Sthe reorganization ofAbeseball !
EDUCATIONAL
~ Both Sexes