The Washington times., 1919-09-17
WILL INVESTIGATE
BANS ACTIVITIES

CHICAGO. Sept 17.-Charles A.
Comiskey. owner OF the White Sox
and members OF the American League
board OF directors, yesterday was
named a committee OF one to call on
President Ban Johnson for full
and complete statement OF all ac-
counts, receipts and disbursements
Of the league" and authorized to
take any and all steps that he might
be advised by counsel" provided Ban
doesn't yield the records without a
fight
+ This step. which undoubtedly means
another court argument between
President Johnson on the one hand
and Comiskey. Harry FraZee, presi-
dent Of the Boston Red SOX. and
Jacob Rupert, president OF the New
York Yankees, on the other hand,
was taken at q special meeting of the
majority membership OF the Amer
/ ican League directorate, composed
Of the three club owners named.
Jim Dunn. president Of the Cleve-
/ land club, the fourth member. did not
/ need an Invitation to attend the
meeting, nor did Johnson, eX-officio
member.
The session was called primarily to
. discuss the latest developments in
the Carl Mays case.
More Litigation.
/ Johnson. who was in Cincinnati to-
day on his way home from New
! York. where he attended the hear
ings. probably will be notified by
! Comiskey Of the boards pleasure to-
Gay.
/ Any and all steps mean further
/ litigation. for the boards attorney.
/ Alfred Austrian, said after the meet
( ing that he had told the directors
how they could obtain the records
they desired.
According to a statement issued
after the meeting. Johnson was in
vited 10 attend and produce evidence
that gambling existed in baseball, as
/ Ban, il is al Aged. charged.
I Johnson was taken to task for his
4 failure to lend any assistance to the
board in suppressing this evil, but
the directors said they would con-
tinue to do all in their power to
stamp out gambling.
Issue Statement.
The statement issued by the direc-
tors follows:
a meeting Of the board or direc-
tors Of the American League OF Pre-
. fessionaI Baseball Clubs was held at
which were present H. H. Frazee, OF
Boston, Jacob Rupert Of New
/ York. and Charles A. COmiskey,
OF Chicago, constituting three of the
/ four directors OF the League.
The prime object of the meeting
was to investigate charges Of gam
bling made by the president OF the
] nd
! otherwise. Mr.. Johnson, the presi-
dent Of the league, although re-
quested to be present at the meeting
and present such evidence as he might
I have with reference to the subject,
failed to appear.
at is needless 10 say that the
members Of this league have at all
times strenUOUsly endeavored TO
stamp out gambling at any Of the
parks belonging TO the members OF
the league and will pursue that pol
icy 70 the end, even though the presi-
dent of the league did not deem II OF
sufficient moment TO give the board
the benefit OF sauch ssista-ce or ac-
/ quaint them with such facts as he
might have in his possession.
At the meeting the chairman OF
I the meeting. Mr.. COmiskey. OF Chicago,
was authorized to take any and all
steps that he might be advised by
counsel were necessary or proper for
( him to take on behalf OF the board OF
directors OF the league 10 procure a
/ full and complete statement OF all re-
| ceipts. accounts and disbursemenN OF
| the league which Mr. johnson was di-
I rected by an appropriate resolution
/ 10 furnish this board at a meeting
held on August IA, 1919 but which he
has entirely failed and neglected to
do up 10 the present moment. in direct
violation OF the constitution and by
/ laws OF the American League Of Pro-
/ fessional Baseball Club"