The Washington times., 1918-12-03

pOWeTS Will nave peen restricted VIII
not be known until matters Of great
listening to his board of directors be-
fore issuing his official mandate.
Put League In Bad.
Had not Johnson put his league
in bad, he would not have stirred up
so much hostility against his plans
and system. Until 1917 no man con-
nected with baseball would have dared
to say that johnson could make a
mistake. He had always shown the
wisest executive ability. 1t was only
when the United States drifted into
statements were tinged with hysteria
and even senility.
There is much to be said for John
son, for whom we hold no brief what
ever, not even being on speaking
terms with him. His health has not
been of the best for the past two
years. Knowing his history, 1T is I'M
possible to think that he acted at
any time without the belief that he
was doing the best for baseball and
his own league.
Johnson's path has not been rose
strewn of late. He may have suffered
from conditions. finally blowing up
in the pinch, to use a baseball phrase
What MagnRtes Say.
The American League magnates
claim that Johnson was too quick on
the trigger last summer. failing to
take their financial investments into
consideration. They overruIed him
in one instance. But Johnson's great
est blunder was his attitude in the
Scott Perry case
Scott Perry, one OF Connie Mack's
pitchers, was claimed by the Boston
Braves. The Braves appealed to the
National Commission and Perry was
awarded to the Braves.
Connie Mack, acting il is believed.
on a suggestion from Ban johnson,
who filed a minority report in his ca
pacity as a member OF the National
Commission. defied the commission.
He took his troubles to the Federal
court at Cleveland. This action con-
verted the national agreement
basebalns Magma Charta, into a Teu-
tonic scrap OF paper" How Connie,
one OF the shrewdest men in baseball,
was led to take this action remains
to this day. When he
walked up. he withdrew his case from
the courts and settled with the Bos-
ton club.
Before the Government.
Johnson's handling of basebalrs
case before the representatives of the
United States Government here in
entitled him to no en-
comums. In plain words, he dallied
too long and then. when the crisis
came sad
The national game was compelled to
go out with head hanging and in an
attitude of fearing the boot.
The organization of baseball is to
be readjusted, we are told. It needs
readjustment There is plenty OF
room for Johnson in baseball, and he
viii most probably be found leading
the American League and most pow
erful in the general councils of the
national game. But Il is more than
unlikely that he will ever again have
the czar-like authority he possessed
ten years ago. These seem TO be I'M
happy days for cars. kings and snA-
perors. that's all. and even baseball
will have none of them.
The American League will retain
Johnson, II he will remain, but the
board of directors is likely to become |
more than mere name in the future. |
Johnson's authority will be supreme |
in his rightful province, but when
ever matters OF fundamental policy |
the organization are to be |
decided, the board OF directors will |
be empowered TO speak. through the |
for the organization.
The National Leaguers are charged |
with showing their plain envy At the |