New-York tribune., 1919-12-15

Mr.. Hermann, who has been chair
man of the Supreme Court of base
ball ever since peace was established
between the National and American
leagues back in 1908 which settlement
laid the groundwork for the present
system of organized baseball. promises
to retire provided ten of the sixteen
opposed to his holding the Office. All
seven rival National League magnates
favor his withdrawal, while the three
american League clubs opposed to Ban
Johnson present solid front against
his fellow commissioner. A change
OF heart in no quarter can be eX-
pected ir the immediate future re-
eardless of the American League sit
uatiOn
Mr.. Hermann himself is convinced
best interests of the game for him to
lay aside his Office with the commits
sion. He frankly declares his belief
that chairman should not be presi-
dent of a major league ball club. That
he has braved the fight to oust him
so far was matter Of personal pride
and a sense of duty. Mr.. Hermann
believes himself thoroughly conversant
with q delicate baseball situation; he
appears to doubt the qualifications of
any prospective successor.
Many Suggestions for Post
Certainly enough candidates for his
William Howard Taft, who was con-
sidered seriously a year ago, but who
declined the honor, the list has run
the gamut down to some of the OBJ
scure politicians of the game The
Office demands q character of rare sta
bility combined with fine judicial
pofse. This fact is appreciated at
last by the owners of major league
franchises who no doubt stand ready
to make the remuneration fit the cali
brc OF the man sought.
Judge Kenesaw Mountain Lands,
OF Chicago, and William Edwards, Col
lecteor of Internal Revenue, this city,
might either one of them have the job
al a fitting salary if he cared TO ac-
cept. The sporting public would place
implicit faith in the fairness and judy
mcnt of either of these men. 1t is a
question yet to be determined, Of
course, whether either would care to
accept the National Commission chair
manship under any conditions.
Another figure of national standing
some of the magnates are said to have
under very serious consideration is
John II. Farrell, secretary Of the Ma
tona Association. He should be we'll
qualified by experience for the office.
lie stands at present with relation to
the minor leagues administration in
just the same position as the chair
man of the national commission to
major league baseball. Mr.. Farrell is
thoroughly conversant with every
phase of TIE situation and particularly
versed with minor league conditions.
The minor leagues, by the way, are
a growing care to organized baseball
and particularly to the majors just
now. The wave Of prosperity that
carried the National and American cir
cults to the crest financially III the
season past did not reach into the
barrens OF the obscure minors.
The big fellows and the little fell
lows are mutually dependent on one
another. 1t is in the sticks that bud
ding talent first gets its opportunity
to develop. If the small minors were
allowed to die of starvation it would
not be so very long before the calibre
of major league play would be i'm
paired. American college talent can
not begin to supply the market for the
major and the higher minor classes.
year ago the minor leagues tried
the experiment of operating independ-
entity from the majors It proved a
bitter experience for the circuits below
Class rating. Draft by major
league clubs was considered handi