New-York tribune., 1919-09-04
B. Ban johnson
TOBeExanilaed
OnTllrec Points
Hearing Forms Prelude to
Death Crapr1e To-mor-
row; Affdavits Weapons
By w. J. Macbeth

he opening gun of the big legal
battle over the control of the American
League, which had to be postponed sew
cral times within the last few yeeks
because each side allowed it's amniuni-
ton to get vet, sill be fired in this
city to-day
Byron bancroft Johnson, president
of the American League and Car Of
all the basebaiis, is to appear at
o'clock in the Office of George J. Gil
lcspie, 20 Nesey Street for q hearing
preliminary to the arguments the fol-
lowing day to why temporary in
junction. secured by the New York
American League Club again Johnson's
interference with the activities Of
Pitcher Carl Mays. should not be made
permanent.
AIR. Gillespie, who has been ap-
pointed referee of the preliminary
hearing, is to examine Mr. Johnson on
three very important points: his al
legged financial interests in the Clcve-
land Club o. the American League; his
alleged animosity toward PrcsideN.
Harry Il. Frazee Of the Boston Ameri-
can League Club. and his alleged parti-
san acton il disciplining Carl Mays
no Official discipline. action or notice
Interesting Skirmish Promised
The hearing before Referee Gillespie
to-day, Of course. Will be bat the pre-
ludc TO the death erarple Of tomorrow,
by both sides viii be dumped into the
Federal Court. Even at that the
warming up exercises should prove one
81 the most interesting * FINISHES in
the Wild career or organized baseball
Tor hoth sides are aimed to the teeth
with the best weapons the very best
legal talent OF this country could pro-
duce.
1t cannot be known noy, of course,
whether or not Johnson VIII be al
lowed TO hold the bridge alone. Five
american League Club Presidents
benjamin Minor. Washington; Connie
Mack. Philadelphia; Philip de Catesby
Ball St. Louis; James Dunn. Cleveland,
and Frank J. Navin, Detroit--have
lined 10 with Johnson against Coils.
Runpert and Huston, Of the. Yankees;
Charles 4. Comiskcy. of the White Sox,
and Harry II. Irazee, OF the Boston
Red Sox. But Johrson's henchmen
haze been shying clear Of Kew York
Ihey wouldn't give q tumble to spe-
cial meeting called by the board of di-
Iectors.
It IS well known fact that there
will be TO compromise 1t is also r
well known fact that certain of Mr.
Johnson's seconds attempted to hold
o0t the olive branch. But partisan
1eeiines have been famed into fame
and the case must 20 to q showdown
The attempt of the National Com
mission 90 su6st titute nine games in
stead 9f the customary seven in de-
termlnlng the worlds championship IN
baseball this year has called forth
universal d.sapproval from local stu
dents cf the American game.
Those who have followed the fort
unes ot the gume IN its great pros
rerlty this season regret the attempt
OF even the suggestion. 1t IS pointed
ont that such q move would tend fur
ther to clSstalize public opinion in the
beiiei tnat the commercial end of the
game oNersAadows It's sporting phase.
II IS said that those in control Of
baseball, who last spring had a bad
case of cold feet and voted to con-
tract the schedule from 154 to 40
, games. are row ready TO be governed
by greed and slaughter the goose OF
the golden eggs
The fact that the scheme is in
dorsed b. August Hermann, chairman
Of the National Commission. proves
Two Things. 1t proves no club owner
TO begin with. And it proves that the
National Commission or . majority
OF 1t seems Il close CORPORATION for
mutual adulation and benefit
The trlumvrate which one year ago
arbitrarily cut worlds series prices to
the regular championship scale would
now, 1T advanced prices. enlarge the
series to nine games. The fact that
the chairman OF the National Com
mission is to benefit in that his Gin
cinrat club is very likely to take part
further condemns the attempt in the
mind Of fairminded well wishers of
the game.
Charles A. Comisl<ey. owner Of the
Chicago Americans, who will doubtless
oppose the Cincinnati Reds in the
worlds series, announced in Chicago
last night his opposition to the pro
posai
Il believe that when an organization
establishes custom it should be fol-
lowed" said the Old Roman. "Of
course, If the league votes for nine
games. then We will have 10 see what
Is TO be done. | sympathize with the
Iaus who want TO see the games each
fall ard who are disappointed because
s., capacity ball park will not seat
i2o'VVo persons, but this situation can
NOT be avoided"
Colonel 7. l.. Houston, of the Van
KEGS, said:
Personally. might deplorc the very
idea Of extending the series as re-.
hectlon on commercialism in baseball,
Unfortunately am not the most inter
ested party IN the American League
Charles A. Comiskey IS. for his White
So% VIII play the National Learnc
champions suail be guided IN The
matter by the wishes OF Nh Comiskev"
David T. Fultz, pres ident OF the New
international League, in a lengthy
statement made public last night, IN
inmates very clearly that his circuit
wlli pay absolutely no attention 10 tne
rhreas Of the National Commission to
Withdraw protection in case an alleged
loan OF So,100.o5 IS not made GOOD
within thirty days
MI fult1 explains the minors are
10 Longer under the protection of the
National Commission. He resents the
lnslnuation as 10 his leagues credit,
however. lie claims the loan was madn
IN d personal way to the former own
ers OF the Buffalo club, so that thev
might fight organized baseball's battles
against the Federal League, and that.
as Mr.. Lannin bought that franchise in
bankruptcy proceedings, the league as
whole Is under no obliga ton what
ever.