The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-19

Professional baseball just has emerged
from the most momentous week In the
games history. 1t was intended to be
week Of reconstruction and rehabili-
tation. but instead II was a week of pol
tiles and intrigues. Taken all in all the
politicians of the game made II rather
sorry ehowing. and little that was con-
structive was adopted at tho confer
ences.
There was little friendly cooperation.
Where a spirit of friendly helpfulness
was shown it Immediately was taken us
a political move. The minors and ma
jors tried to blum each other. and in the
end the majors called the bluff of the
minors. The little fellows now have
their independence, and the future only
can tell what they will do with 1t.
The National League, as usual. pulled
the prize bone OF the week. when, last
Wednesday IL adopted its ridiculous
salary limit of 900 a month a move
which would have set the baseball cal
endar back twenty years. To the credit
OF the National League It quickly
saw what blunder 1t had made. and
repealed tho picayune legislation two
days later.
The element In baseball which at
tempted to bring about reform in the
government Of baseball was completely
outmanpuvred by the shrewd politicians,
Ban Johnson and Garry Hermann.
Hermann employed every trick he
learned in the political s'hool OF Cincin-
natl TO retain the craftsmanship Of the
National Commission, and he always
had Ban johnson behind him.
Unprecedented situation.
In all baseball history there never was
a case to parallel the National Commis-
sion situation of last week. The preei-
dent of the American League backed by
majority Of his club owners. forced the
retention OF August Hermann. a Ma
tional Lacquer, as chairman Of the com
mission. against practically the unani-
nous strength of the National League.
There never was anything more incon-
gruous in baseball than one league
forcing another to accept two represent
atives on a board Of arbitration while
it only retains one. The absurdity Of
the situation may be realized IL one
should imagine. for instance. the Ma
ttonal League fighting to make Phil Ball
of the st. Louis Browns chairman OF
the National League against the wishes
Of Ran johnson and six Of his clubs, and
getting away with it,
one naturally must ask why IL the
American League SO anxious 10 retain
hermann. + or years IL mas been COM
mon talk in baseball that Hermann
is mere tigurehead on the commission
and is completely swayed by the domi-
neer!ng personality Of Johnson. The
action Of the american League fighting
Tor Hermann certainly would make it
appear that the people OF the Junior
league do not think they get the worst
Of it by minority representation on the
commission.
As to the committees appointed 10
pick an available candidate FOR COM
mission chairman, this action Is mere
subterfuge. Contrary TO the generally
accepted view this committee was not
empowered TO find man with no finan-
cial interests in baseball II only has
the power to recommend the best man
available. johnson will appoint two
men on hts committee who consider
Hermann the best man available. and
in the meantime, quoting Hermann
himself Il still am chairman of the
National Commission
Johnson simply has tho situation in
his own hands Possession IS min. noIiuS
of the law. Hermann is in. and who
v III pu; him out, SO long a. Johnson con-
tinuos 70 vote for him?