Evening journal., 1918-07-10
TENER'S THREAT not
WORRYING JOHhSOA
American Lssguer Says
Resignation Might be
Best for Baseball
SPLIT THREATENED
OVER FERRY CASE

NhANHNUDf Jhlg lU-Iftelutub bdu
Johnson OF the American League, re-
plying to the statement OF John X.
Tener, president OF the National League
that he would have no further dealings
with the national commission In any
cases In which the American League is
party, said last night that he feared
40 break In the relations with the Ma
tlonal League, as he understood Pres
ident Tener would shortly resign In
case p. Scott Perry is not awarded 10
the National League.
The contemplated resignation OF
Governor Tener from the presidency OF
the National League Oceasioned me no
SURPRISE" said President Johnson.
From sdvices have received from
several courses, the cource he has
taken is absolutely necessary for the
welfare OF baseball, In view OF the fact
that he devoted so little attention 10
The aifalrs Of the game.
Morally and technically, Manager
Mack OF the Philadelphia club. can be
justified In the position be has taken
In the Perry case. Governor Tener has
on one or two occasions been a party
to decisions Of the commission that
seemed unfair and absurd TO me. but
/ never accepted that as an excuse for
declining to serve as a member Of that
body.
Il presume the parent body Will find
no difficulty In ably filling the position
Governor Tener has finally determined
TO vacate."
The decision OF the National Commls-
sion In the SCOTT Perry case was an
nounced In Cincinnati June ~. Be
cause a minor league was involved two
additional representatives sat in judg-
ment upon the case. The PERSONAL Of
the commission consisted OF Chairman
August Herman. president Of the
Cincinnati National League club; B. B.
Johnson, president Of the American
League; ]. H. Farrell. secretary OF the
National Association, Gnd r. II. Raugh,
president OF the Southern Association.
The evidence submitted, upon which
Hermann, Tener snd Farrell awarded
the services Of Perry TO the Boston
Nationals, while Johnson and Raugh
did not concur, showed, according 10
he commission report;
Perry was sold to the Boston Nation
ais by the Atlanta Club Of the Southern
Association under an optional agree
ment for 5000. Perry deserted the Bos-
ton club in June, 1917, after the latter
organization had paid. $500 OF the pur-
chase price. Boston was assured its
rights to the player would be protected
n Perry ever returned TO organized
baseball. Early In the present season
the pitcher returned to the Atlanta
club and was sold TO the Philadelphia
Americans and is playing with that
club.
When the decision OF the National
Commission was made public Connie
Mack. manager OF the Athletics, OBJ
tained a court Injunction at Cleveland
on June II preventing the Boston Ma
tlonals from interfering with the so-
tivities OF Perry until the case could
be argued on It's merits before the
court and lnsl decision given.
"Unless Connie Mack OF the Phila-
delphia Americans turns Scott Perry,
pitcher, over TO the Boston Nationals /
will quit the National Commission"
This statement was made by John X.
Tener,. president Of the National League
who is attending the Elks' convention
in Atlantic City.
Mack reiterated yesterday that he in
tends TO retain the services Of Perry,
irrespective OF the action OF the Ma
tBonal Commission In awarding him to
Boston.
Regardless Of the merits Of this par
ticular case" said President Tener,
the fact remains that the supreme
court OF basebsll, whose rulings both
leagues have subscribed to and agreed
TO obey, has decided that Pitcher Scott
Perry is the baseball property Of the
Boston National League club.
III the rulings Of the baseball su-
preme' judicial body are to be repudi-
ated there Is only one course left open
10 me. Therefore have decided that
will no longer serve as a member OF
the National Commission unless IT,
rulings In the Perry case is implicitly
obeyed and at once"