New-York tribune., 1918-11-26
Johnson Fleeth
Where Scribes
MayNotP urslle
Head of American League in
Town and Out Again as
Revolution" Grows
By w. ]. Macbeth

Nothing new developed Yesterday
relative to the little revolution against
The present form of organized base
pali government. William H. Taft to
"nom was offered the National Com
inissionshlp, had sent no word from
New hayen as to what may be expected
IL the ultimate answer. Messrs. Harry
frazee and Harry Hampstead had moth
ing further to say.
Nor had Ban johnson ANYTHING tn
say. Or if he had he took care t.
beat 1t before he could be asked to ex-
press an opinion. Johnson was at tn.
Wolcott Hotel Sunday night, but left
orders that he was not to be disturbed
by the hounds Of the press. Yesterday
morning he had disappeared the wav
the ruthless Prussians wished to make
Aimed shipping disappear without
leaving a trace.
Change Seems Certain
Despite the reticence OF certain mao
mates the feeling is pretty generally
entertained, locally at least, that the
revolution announced by Messrs. Frazee
and Hampstead will bear fruit. and
that quickly. Indeed it would not be
surprising If at the coming meetings
OF the two major leagues it were voted
almost unanimously so to remodel the
national agreement as to assure a one
whether or not Mr.. Taft sees his wav
clear to accept.
indeed, 1t is we'll understood by those
who have had their ears close to tho
keyhole that Johnson's wings are to he
clipped The American League is dis
satisfied with the way he handled the
pasepaa situation during the grave
leris incident to war. They As ign
To indifference or carelessness on his
part the fact that the work or fight
mandate was finally applied to the
game.
Johnson, of course, has been persona
non grata to the National League
for many years. But he held the whip
hand over the old organization prin-
! clpally because of his control over Au-
gust Hermann, chairman of the Ma
tional Commission.
W ith his own league constituents
Hermann is even in worse than is John
son. The National League cannot for
give Big Ban for repudiating the peace
agreement in the Scott Perry case.
though it did not have the nerve to
90 to the mat with him at the time.
1t Is the more provoked with Herr
mann, however, for lining up with
johnson against John K rener, when
the later issued his u imatum. The
National League allowed Mr.. Tener to
resign from the presidency knowing he
withdrew rather than sacrifice prin-
clple. Still it was blow to the Ma
t'onai Leagues pride, never theless.
Rupert Admires Taft
None o. the M mates loca ed in this
greater city would discuss the revolu
tlonary movement yesterday, with the
exception of Colonel Jacob Rupert.
president of the Yankees. And then
Mr.. Rupert won d not speak in any
official capacity. He is great admirer
OF NJ. Taft, always has been and would
frankly vote for him under certain cir
cumstances he admitted quite freely.
II think Mr. Taft would be an ad-
mlrab man for the position" said
Colonel Rupert. He would add great
dignity to the Office and would COM
mand the absolute respect not only Of
the owners and ayers of the major
leagues, but of the minor leagues and
the public as well. But | am not quail
ned to express an opinion officially, for
have not been completely informed
as to the plans of Mr. Taft's sponsors.
Il can say. however, that if Mr.. Taft
is willing to accept he job and feels
Tn : he can devote the proper time and
attention to it he can have my vote il
that will help him any. And certainly
should feel proud to use my influence
IN the IN erests of such big man"
1t transpires than one OF the reasons
Mr.. Taft did not give an immediate re-
y to the committee that waited upon
him with the offer of the mos. exalted
position in organized baseball was that
he wished TO satisfy himself that his
brother, Charles P. Taft. was no longer
associated with the game.
Charles at one time owned con-
trolling in crest in the Chicago Ma
tional League Club and also an inter
est in the Philadelphia Nationals.
Baseball authorities declare he dis
posed Of all of his holdings in both
these major league teams some time
ago.