Evening star., 1919-08-25

American League President
Not Worried Over Possible
Outcome of Mays Case.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON

ST. LOUIS, Mo-. August 25.-The
outcome of the legal proceedings in
stituted against Ban johnson. as an
aftermath of the Mays case cannot
be foretold, but judged by the attitude
OF the so-called "cZar" they will re-
suit in the complete route of the Rup-
per- -Housto on FraZee- Comiskey faction
which has assumed the task of re-
ljeving Ban of his crown and con-
ficatinG his scepter. Seen here yes
terday. where he was spectator as
the guest of Owner Ball of the
Browns of the 5-to-O setback given
the Burkemen by the Nationals,
victory in court next Thursday, when
- he has been summoned to appear and
show cause why the temporary in
Junction against his suspension of
Carl Mays should not be made per-
manent
Johnson showed no hesitancy in
talking about the case which recent
" set the base ball world agog. He
him he has about 80 per cent the
best of it, in his stand in regard to
the pitcher he suspended for contract
breaking and breach of discipline, and
jority Of the directors of the league
in voting to restore Mays to good
standing.
Johnson contends he acted within
his rights in suspending Mays when
the Boston club refused to do so, and
declares the directors exceeded their
authority in "reinstating" the pitcher.
citing the constitution of the Ameri-
can League. Section 20 reads: The
president, in the performance of his
duties. shall have the power to i'm
pose fines or penalties, in the way of
oso nfh ice
manager or player who, in his opin-
ion, has been guilty of conduct detri-
mental to the general welfare of the
game"
Action Covered by Rule.
The action of Col. Rupert and
Messrs. Frazee and Comiskey in "re-
cred by section 80 Of the league con-
stitution. which says: mo director
shall sit in trial of a case to which
his club is a party" OF course. Rup-
pert and Frazee were directly inter-
ested in the Mays case. as the former
bought him and the latter sold him:
1t is small wonder Johnson is conf
battle scheduled to be held in New
York this week.
The American League president said
one of his reasons for visiting st.
Louis wa1to see Manager Griffith. No
one connected with the Washington
club could tell Johnson just where the
pilot is doing his scouting for play
ers, So the conference will be deferred
until Wednesday, when the Nationals
are listed to open against the Yank-
KEGS at the Polo Grounds, and when
johnson expects to reach New York
for the legal doings that will get
under way the following day.
~
chasing ball players in the thick of a
pennant race, of which several in
stances have been furnished in the
majors this season, the Mays case
brought before the annual league
meeting next winter, and that he an
ticipated action would be taken to
prohibit the practice after a certain
date" He declined to say what time
limit he thought should be placed.
for the magnates to agree upon.
johnson is Of the opinion that base
bali would be better OF with the elm
ination of shine balls" "spitters"
pitchers deliveries, and said he ex-
pected the question Of definitely bar
ring them also would be taken up
by the moguls of his organization at
their yearly confab.
1t Is very doubtful, in the opinion
of Johnson, that the Cincinnati club
win arrange to stage its world series
games anywhere other than Redland
field in the event Moran's club wins
the National League pennant. Word
recently emanating from Cincinnati
was to the effect that plans are
being discussed there to play the
Res home games at the speedway in
Sharonville. fifteen miles from Gin
cinnati. where arrangements could be
made to seat 100000 persons. john
son said there is nothing to prevent
the Cincinnati management from do
ing this, but doubted that the pro-
posa1 seriously would be considered
1t is his belief that the Cincinnati
park. which can be arranged to seat
more than 10000 spectators, will be
plenty large enough.