New-York tribune., 1919-09-12

The confession was wrung from
Johnson toward the close Of an I'M
comfortable three hours for the stout
magnate. During the questioning the
Gear" became decidedly peevish.
Just as the questioning was about to
be brought to close Attorney Charles
Tuttle, of the New York American
League Club legal staff. asked: "Did
you own the Boston club in 1912?
~ owned stock in the Boston club
johnson admitted.
"iIow much stock:' demanded coun-
sci.
81 owned a considerable amount of
the stock" replied Johnson.
Cry Proves Boomerang.
This admission, coming on top Of the
confession made by Johnson that lie
still is part owner OF the Cleveland
Baseball Club, cives d new insight into
the stout gentleman whose hitterest
allegation against the defunct Federal
League was that it was syndicated
league. And all the time johnson HIM
selling clubs.
Looking backward to The days when
the Federal League was battling for
its life, johnson was demanding that
the late Robert II. Ward be crucitied
because he had advanced money to
save certain clubs in the league. Now
We have Johnson revealed as q former
owner OF one American League c!u.
and a part owner in another. It might
be Interesting to know just how many
more baseball clubs Johnson r1anipu-
and the shifting of owners.
According 20 the reasoning of Ban
Johnson. it ~ss q he.nous o@ense for
Ward to help out the weaker clubs
IN his league, while it was benevo-
lent and vlrtuous act for Johnson to
'urn the game into 4 stock peddling
device.
The czar seemed to be somewhat re-
covered yesterday. Perhaps he took
rs attorneys Rhodcck Dhu metaphor
seriously. lie .loWcrod ct Attorney
futile. and bis answers we've snappy
il not snappisl. The attorney in
GnATtd 'to . my N0ds in turning
lis umpircs into sUmshoc men to lis
'"i around dugouts or choice bits Of
scandal or lese lnaiesta to bring he
tore the czar. Attorney Tuttle in
qured If Johnson thought tina. this
was proper function Tor an umpire.
The car growled that it was. He
declared that the umpres were named
10 take orders from the president OF
the league.
Ban Grows Defiant
Attorney Tuttlc tried to draw from
johnson an admission that he (John-
:on) believed that Manager Barrow.
OF the Red So%, might be responsible
Tor the action OF Iays. The oucstior,
was somewhat long ard involved
"hereupon johnson demanded. "Whv
cont ycu b. ightfcrward in vour
suggestion? You talk Ike q who'll.
s'eet OF paper. ard don't ..now what
You are talking about. Come right
out with it in tho iirst place"
"Don't YOU think tliat as long a.
YOU knew that several clubs wero
negotiating for Nays that It you'd
nave been more appropriate for you TO
write direct y to Harry Frazee and
explain tne situation? ," asked Attorney
Tuttlc.
"No," replied Johnson. 81 didn't
thin': that Frazee would do anything
wrong. knew that New York and
Chicago were biddino for MAYS"
Didn't YOU thi1k that if Frazee was
doing anything wrong in letting Mays
go that it was only fair to notify
him."
"No," snapped Johnson.
1t was brought out by questions from
Attorney Tuttle that Johnson on his
own admission, did net at any timu
intimate to the New York or Boston
clubs that he would suspend Carl Mays
If a transfer was made.
1t was stipulated by the attorneys
that the minutes of the hearing would
be ready by this afternoon. The part
owner of the Cleveland CLUB aud for
mcr owner of the Red Sox will be
given an opportunity 60 90 over them
before they are submitted.
Clubs Vote in Favor