New-York tribune., 1919-11-22
League Chiefs
Status Puzzles
BeHigerents
Directors Seek Document
Tending to Show Johnson
Was Chosen for 20 Years
By w. J. Macbeth

yesterday 20 allow a representative rs
the counsel Of the majority members
CT the American League board of di
rectors opposed to him to examine the
leagues records and papers. will no.
seriously delay the boards attempt to
establish Johnson's true relations with
their association. Charles A. Comiskev.
ecting chairman OF the board. was in
long distance communication with
Nessrs. Rapport and France shortly
after their emissary had been turned
down by the American League execu-
tive. Comiskey was instructed to ap-
pear personally at Johnson's office
to-day for the information denied the
attorney.
There seems little doubt that the
required information will be obtained
before nllhtfall. Mr.. Johnson is on
record that Mr.. Comiskey or any other
cub owner OF his circuit viii haze
tree access to the books and papers
o The league. Ii viii be the easiest
matter, therefore, for the @ ID Roman
10 secure the desired Information and
70 turn II over to his legal represensa-
tlves. Mn. Johnsons refusal of YES
rerday means nothing more than a de-
~ OF twenty-,our hours.
The board 0. directors simply desires
% know whether or not Mr.. Johnson
Is qualified to function as the eXecu-
tive OF the American League. 1t is
claimed for Ban by the i've club own
CTS supporting him that the league
president is fulhllng twenty years
contract entered into N the winter
%, lvlO-ll. This contract should show
ether as wrtsen document or as
resolution ratified on the minutes of
one 0. The o.acIal meetings of the
American League.
Cannot Recall Contract
AZ the time Mr.. Johnson was sup
posed TO have been voted into the chair
or d term OF twelty Years neither the
apprehension nor frazee interests
we're associated with organized base
BAL. Nj. Comlshey declares he cannot
reco.iecr any such Endorsement.
IAe revO.ut.Ouary faction maintains
tina. Ii no sUch boon was officially
granted 10 Ban their executive has
served some eight years unoiticlally.
Ia which case II IS Pugposed to set the
Wheels = motion 10 oust him instanter.
II such q contract or Endorsement does
,xist the case might be complicated
BAT the antl-j chnsonites have been
told that Ban can De easily reached in
vulnerable spot from another side.
l. appears that Ban, either willfully
or unWittngiy, has been guilty OF sew
erai grave breaches against the con-
stitu-ion OF the American League
through ms indifference to the many
special meetings Of the board OF diIec-
.0rs that have been held here and in
Chicago. The constitution particularly
stlp4.atos that one OF the duties OF
he league secretary { Mr.. Johnson is
president. treasurer and secretary is
50 attend and report all Of the meet
lnss OF the board OF directors. whether
special or annual.
Mr. Johnson has religiously ignored
all such calls, though notified long
aheld o. eacn one. He has continued
10 ignore board meetings even after
justice Wagner recognized the powe rs
Of the beard to be supreme in the
Jurisdiction of American League affairs.
My Charge Incompetence
Counsel for the Comiskey Rupert
dustol-. Iazec faction maintain that
Jonnson's negligence in this quarter
has lett him open TO charges OF in
difference or Incompetence, which of
substantlated in the civil courts would
open the way TO prompt Dismissal
which provides q masked battery for
the legal attack which. It is expected
will open within another week.
Messls RupporL ana Frazee appear
IN To manner concerned as 10 whether
Johnson and The other five American
League club owners refuse to come
10 New York for the annual meeting
called by the board OF directors. They
have been advised that their call alone
can be considered official legally. and
if the others should attempt to bolt
to Chicago and an independent gather
ing the law horrible viii be evoked
II IS believed that in the interim
prospective legal steps will develop a
situation which should make MIR. John
son and his colleagues hot foot it to
New York before December 10 in a
more subdued and solicitous frame of
mind taan obtains at present.
story was sent out from Cincin-
natl Yesterday 70 the effect that Angus
Hermann, chairman of the National
Commission. on advice Of counsel. had
decided to pay to the Yankees their
share OF worlds series money as the
commission had been instructed to
90 by the board of directors of the
american League. The report could
not be confirmed locally.