The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-18
DECLARE JOHNSON
SHOULD Be DRIVEN
OUT Of BASEBALL
Club Owners Seek Resignation
Of Hermann Also Ban Has
Acted in Arbitrary Manner
TO Board.


CHICAGO, Sept. 1S.-Deelarations
that Ban johnson, president Of the
American league, should be driven out
Of baseball and that August Hermann.
chairman Of the national commission,
b~asebalrs highest tribunal. and presi-
dent Of the Cincinnati Reds, winners
ot the National league pennant, should
resign as chairman Of the commission,
wore made by prominent club owners
who met yesterday to nominate a sue
Cessor TO Mr.. Hermann,
Col, Jacob Rupert, president Of the
New York Yankees, was emphatic In
his statement against Mr.. Johnson,
while William II. Baker, head Of the
Philadelphia Nationals, was the spokes-
mar in regard to Mr., Hermann
Ban Johnson viii be put out Of base
ball declared Mr., Rupert, who added
The Chicago White Sox and tho Bos-
ton Red S0x have aligned themselves
with the New York club in this fight
against the American league executive.
We do not believe that any man who
owns stock In a baseball club in the
league should be at the head Of that or
ganizatiOn, and Mr.. Johnson has adj
mltted that he is q stakeholder in the
Cleveland club Of our circuit.
GCt6u al DAbl d. NY.
Furthermore, Mr.. johnson has acted
arbitrarily toward the board Of direc-
tors in a number of Instances. He has
refused TO attend the special meetings
which we called, he has failed to sub
NIT the evidence which he claims he
has In regard TO the gambling at bah
parks, an evil which all the club owners
have done their utmost TO prevent, and
he also has declined to comply with u
request 10 submit a statement Of the
financial affairs OF the league.
This Is a direct violation OF the con-
btitution and bylaws Of the league. We
believe that the time has come when
the powers Of Mr.. johnson should be
~Curtailed. and 1t Is our intention to
carry this matter through to the end"
Mr., Rupert said that the board had
obtained an abundance OF legal talent
10 aid them in their fight.
Johnson in East.
At a meeting Of the majority members
Of the board Of directors Tuesday MI.
Coniskey, president of the white Sox.
was authorized to procure a complete
statement OF the league affairs from
Mr., johnson. MIR. Johnson. 1t was said
Yesterday, had not returned from the
East.
Mr.. Baker, in referring to Mr.. Herr
mann said. 1.-THE Cincinnati club
ctnohed the penna1t in our league
Tuesday, and, u a man. Mr.. Herr
mann should resign from the commits
!, zion, II would not be fair for baseball
for Mr., Herrman to sit longer as a judge
on the commission when hts club Ia one
o. those which win be az contestant for
the worlds championship"
When advised that Mr., Hermann had
declared that he knew Of no committee
having been appointed to select a sue
cessor to him ms chairman Of the COM
mission, Col, Rupert said that the Cin-
clnnati official was fully aware Of the
appointment Of the committee,
The joint committee which met yes
terday was appointed In New York some
time aae for the purpose % selecting a
man 10 act as chairman Of the national
commission, Col. Rupert said. II CON
sisted Of four members, two eaoh from
the National and American leagues.
The committee was In session for sew
eral hours, and when IL adjourned an
nounced that four names had been pro-
posed for chairman, but non was given
out for publication,
In a few days, probably a week, II was
said, the choice would be announced.