The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-17
HERMANN REMAINS
HEAD OF BASEBALL
Plan to Gust National Com
mission Chairman Frustrated
by Giants New Owner.
TO SERVE INDEFINITELY
Will Be Replaced When the
Leagues Obtain New Leader
No Changes in Tribunal.
BY FREDERICK G. LlEB.

BY FREDERICK G. LlEB.
The Old Guard still remains in COM
plets control Of baseball affairs. The
efrort OF the reform element in baseba II
to sweep August Hermann and Ban
johnson out OF power went down with a
crash at the Joint conference OF the Ma
tional and American leagues at the Hotel
B!ltmore yesterday.
August Hermann still remains chair
man OF the National Commission, with
Ban johnson his right bower and the
dominating factor OF baseball. as he
has been in the last decade. Since the
armistice was signed baseball politics
has been played as seldom before In the
games history, and when IL simmered
down to a showdown yesterday tho
forces opposed to Hermann and John
son were In complete rout.
Hermann was not exactly kept In
power by vote of tho Joint conference.
but situation was created by which
he will in all probability remain chair
man for another year, or at least until
the present agitation blows over.
The final solution of the chairmanship
was left to the recommendation Of a
committee OF four men. two from each
league. TO be appointed by their respec-
tice presidents. This committee is in
structed to look up a suitable man for
chairman who knows baseball but has
no Affiliations with the sport But this
committee has no power to act. only 10
recommend. II it finds a man II consd-
ers available II can recommend him 10
the two presidents. but It was explained
yesterday that the respective league
presidents are not bound to follow the
recommended
Hermann HoIdover Chairman.
Heydler appointed Baker Of Phila-
delphia and William Veeck Of Chicago
as the National League committee 70
select a candidate for chairman OF the
commission.
I'm the meantime Mr.. Hermann re-
mains chairman and the commisston
stands just as II was" explained MT
Harrtdse. secretary to Ban johnson. who
also was secretary OF the meeting.
II will remain chairman until further
notice" put In Garry Hermann. with a
self-satisned smile OF triumph.
Neither OF the league presidents--John-
son nor Heydler-would say when they
will appoint this committee nor the men
who will compose IL.
Actually. therefore, the situation is en-
tfrely In Ban Johnson's hands He may
appoint a committee Of the men in his
league with strongest leanings toward
Hermann. Should tho two men OF the
National League suggest a man John
son need not vote for him. In fact, he
Is not likely to. In this way a tie can
be maintained on the National Commits
sion indefinitely, with the result tina,
Hermann indefinitely will remain the
chairman.
The proposition of one man Ma
tional Commission. fostered in the Ma
tional League by Harry Hampstead. for
mer Giant president. and backed in the
American League by Harry Frazee OF
the Boston Red Sox. never had a chance
This move was aimed directly at Ban
johnson, for by removing him from
baseball affairs his opponents had hoped
to shear him Of mis- great influence. The
American League voted In a body for
the retention OF three men commits
sion. and also had the New York and
Cincinnati votes In the National League
Giants owners support HERNIA n n
Oddly enough the new owners OF the
Giants promptly took revenge on the res;
OF the National League for the anti
Giant legislation adopted at It's session
last Wednesday. The owners threw their
their support 10 August Hermann and
the old regime. John McGraw OF the
Giants had long conference with Herr
mann last Tuesday. and IT Is believed
I1at McGraw then pledged Garry his
support.
The switch Of the New York Giant.
completely changed the complexion OF
affairs. as Hampstead. the former presi.
dent, was the National League leader In
the move for a new form Of base Dali
government.
Another important phase ~ the si,ua-
ton was the failure OF G.. Coniskoy
the White SoX owner. to support FraZee
Comisfey at the annual meeting OF the
American League last month in Chi
! cago We'd with Frazee In denounclns
the Johnsonian methods OF last year
and Frazce considered Comiskey's sup
port his greatest asset IN the fight FOL
reform In baseball.
Comiskey was not present at ycster.
days meeting. ~ he went 70 Miami
Fla. to join his wife, who is III How
ever. Harry Gardiner. Com!slScy's sec
rotary. said the club favored tho reten
| ton OF August Hermann as chairman
With the New York Giants and ths
| c. caGo White SoN. the most Influential
| c % In baseball. lined against Herr
| ma. and johnson. the retormers hoped
! for a complete victory. but when thes,
; clubs switched the entire move for :
new system OF baseball government
crumbled.
! Actually the eight clubs were I!nec
up in tie vote for and agains; Herr
| mann. In the National League 81
| clubs favored a commission chairman
! with no baseball affiliations. willis tw,
! clubs favored Herrmann's retention. Il
the American League the lineup wa
'ust the reverse, six clubs favorinJ
; Hermann. while two were opposed.
Tho exact way In which the slSteel
clubs stood was as follows: Natlona
/ Leaere--Brooklyn. Boston. st. Louis
! PittsbrrT Chicago ara Philadelphi,
favored a chairman with no basebal
atfiliatiovg Whie New York n,d Gin
| cinnsti favored Hermann. America
League--New York, Chicago. De,-ol,
ST. Louis. Cleveland and Washineto,
favored Hermann. whila Boston an,
Philadelphia favored tho Independent
chairman.
The fact that Connie Mack was III
lone American League masnate 70 e.
along with Harry Frazee was anothr
surprise. When Hampstead ard Fraze
tried to.make former President William
Howard TAFT one man comm.ss lone
of baseball. Mack called Frazee "llm :
lighter" Macks objection to Herr
mann, however. dates hack 10 last sum
mer when Hermann cast the decId!n
vote against the Athletics in the Scot
Perry case. which incidentally brough
on the agitation for change in tn
present commission governmen..
sTEARNs SETS GOLF MARX.
Special Despdtch 10 Tux sUS