Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-11-22
EFFORT TOI0UST
Ban Johnson TO
. Be Determined

Conlskey Says Public Is Entitled
To Fair Representation Of His
Relation To Game.
Chicago, Nov. 22.-That a deter
mined effort will be made to Gust
President B. B. johnson from the
Leadership Of the American league
by three clubs of the circuit was
made positive yesterday by q state
ment issued by President Comis-
key Of the White Sox ON his return
from . session of the directors in
New York which was attended by
himself and Messrs. Rupert of
the Yankees and Frazee Of the Red
Sox.
The statement set forth that the
three directors were acting within
thefy constitutional rights in call
ing . meeting Of the league to be
held in New York Dec. 10 and adds
the threat that the owners of the
New York, Chicago and Boston
clubs have reached the conclusion
that President johnson is endan-
gering the value of their estates
and that they intend to do every
thing possible to rid organized
baseball Of the impediment which
he represents.
Here Is Commy's Statement.
Following is the authorized
statement issued by the owner of
1.-The White Sox:
In view Of the mouthings Of Mr..
johnson as chronicled in the daily
press. / believe the public is now
entitled to have a fair compre-
hension Of his relations to organ
lied baseball.
"Mr. Rupert Of New York, Mr..
Ffazee Of Boston, Mr.. Dunn of
Cleveland, and myself, are the d.
rectors Of that league. We are the
owners Of properties worth several
millions Of dollars. Mr.. johnson
has no property interest in the
American league or in any of the
individual clubs constituting that
league. It is fair to presume,
therefore. that we are interested in
preserving the integrity of the
league, il for no other reason TIM
that we are interested in 'conserv-
ing thes properties in which we
are vitality interested.
I'VE have reached the conclusion
Mr.. johnson is endangering not
:: only the value of those properties,
,, but the integrity of baseball, and
we therefore intend to do every
! thing possible to rid baseball Of
1.-THE impediment which We believe
10 now attached to It.
Frequent meetings Of the board
tot directors have been called, at
which it was attempted to inquire
into Johnson's claims Of . perpet-
ual franchise to act a. president Of
THE league. Mr.. johnson at no time
appeared, although under the con-
: stitution Of the league, II he really
is its pres6lent, he Is a member Of
, the board.
Il SAYS Bars Memory II Poor.
"Mr. johnson in his interview
. undertakes to tell the public that
the constitution expressly pro-
kvides when and where our annual
, meeting shall be held. Messrs.
Comiskey, Rupert and Fraxee
, know that well enough, and It Is
. mot necessary for me to say any
, thing further on that point
; "Mr. Johnson's alleged foot in
Election has apparently affected his
memory. Section IS Of the consti-
tuition Of the American league pro-
: vfdes: -:
l.. The annual meeting OF the
league shall be held on Wednesday
after the second Tuesday in De-
cember OF each year at IL O'Clock
E noon.
1T therefore does not provide
where the meeting shall be held.
Section 146 Of the same con-
: stitutton provides that:
The board shall have the gen
I eral supervision and management
!. of all affairs and business OF the
league and shall be individually
answerable to the league for the
faithful discharge Of the trust
the meeting ts. s Str Ss Isa