Evening star., 1918-08-07
7ENER| IS THROUGH
! WITH OLD LEAGUE
Compromise With Outlaws
and Lack of Support Cause
His Resignation.
By pENMAN THOMPSON.

CLEVELAND, August John Kin
ey Tener's resignation yesterday as
president of the National League
bears out the prediction made in these
columns last Sunday. Tener is man
of high principles and proved an
able executive in tiding the organize
tion through one of its most perilous
stages at the time of the Feoerai
League war. However, 1t was MS
course in advocating a compromise
with the OUTLAWS" that led to the
breach between himself and Ban
johnson. who wanted to fight the
Feds to a finish and let them sink OF
their own weight. The American
Ieaxue virtually was forced to ac-
ouiesce in the compromise for fear
the National League would JOIN
Lands with the Feds. The Scott Per-
ry case topped it OH. Iener was
right in the stand he took IN con
tending that the decision Oh the
tionaJ commission should have peen
abjded by. but when the magnates OF
his circuit failed to give him eneir
whole hearted support he had NO al
Tentative to resigning.
John Heydler. for years secreiary VI
the death of Harry Pulliam in 1909. and
until Tener took charge after the GOV
ernor of Pennsylvania was elected II,
1918. is the logical man TO succeeo
Tenor. Heydler. who, by the way IS
washingtonian. is one OF the pes. pos
ed men in base ball and is an able ao-
ministrator. Heydler probably Will de-
cline with thanks, If the position Is
offered him, however, as he mas oone OH
at least two other OCCASIONS beiis
president Of the National League Is one
Of the most thankless jobs imaginable,
80 M one knows it any better than
Heydler.
Owners Favor johnson.
" as reported. Ban johnson ceases
, +o he nresident of the American League
after this season it will be because
johnson wishes to quit. not because
he will be forced out by the cluo own
ers, Harry FraZee of the Boston ciuo
Is said to be cunning for big BANS
scalp. The former "czar OF tne CIR is
cult earned the displeasure OF his
maenates by some of the moves ne
mas made since the United States en-
tered the war. He was properly sat
!, on" at the meeting here last SATURDAY
, as a result. but it does not necessarily
follow that the American League
mo1uls want his head. Clark Griffith,
! for one. is in favor of keeping him at
| the helm. although he wants the
i president to be guided by the wishes
Of the club owners, instead of follow
ing his own inclinations in regard to
policies without consulting them:
johnson is the best presidMenhs GriMth
either big league ever had GRIMM
said today. I'VE would have a hard
time to find anybody who could take
his place and come anywhere near
handling our affairs as well as Jonn-
son has in the years he has been our
executive. Johnson is human ana
makes mistakes. He made mistake
In sitting up above the owners and
trying to decree that the season
should be shortened. This was one
of the matters of which he should
have conferred with the club owners
before announcing what the league
would do. On questions of such i'm
port the owners now have shown that
their wishes and not the personal
opinions of Johnson will prevail But
We want him to remain head of the
league"
Tener's Letter of Resignation.
NEW YORK, August I'm a letter
addressed to all the club presidents
John Kinley Tener yesterday re-
signed from the presidency OF the
National League. In his letter Presi-
dent Tener said:
Having declined to serve further
on the national commission for the
good reason familiar to each of you.
must ask that my resignation as your
president. rendered last December, be
now accepted.
IT am prompted to take this course
out of consideration of the present
situation, and that you may more
speedily select my successor. who
will. if you desire, serve on the COM
mission under the circumstances"
The resignation of President Tener
may clear up the involved situation
in the national commission, and ex-
pedite the work of that organization
In preparing for the proposed world
series. scheduled to begin on Septem-
ber or 4. Following the decision Of
the Philadelphia American League
club to carry the case of Pitcher
Scott Perry to the civil courts. after
the national commission had finally
awarded his services to Nthe Boston
Nationals, Mr.. Tener announced he
would no longer serve as a member
nf that bodv