New-York tribune., 1919-11-20

of course, antedates the entrance into
baseball of either Colonel Rupert or
Harry Frazee. Unless such a contract,
legally executed, is in existence the
counsel OF the revolutionary faction
believes Mr.. Johnson has served ille-
gally for eight years. as the constitu-
tion specifically states the president
must be elected annually.
Charles A. Comiskey, one of the
founders of the American League, can
not recall the existence Of any such
instrument. However. if such docu-
ment exists it is purposed to make Mr..
johnson produce it, as the following
self-cxp planatory letter from the board
Of directors would Indicate:
New York City. November 10, 1919.
MIR B. B. Johnson, care of American
League of Professional Baseball
Clubs, Fisher Building, Chicago.
H.
Dear sir: Under date of October 19,
1919. you addressed a letter to Mr.
c. A. Comiskey. president Baseball
Club, Chicago, H. in response to
communication addressed to you
under date of September II, 1919.
and advised him at the same time
that you had addressed a similar
communication to the president Of
each club in the American League
''ln your communication OF Octo-
ber Is you (among other things)
say:
counts or papers of any kind per-
tanning to the business of the Amer
lean League. which are in my pos
session or under my control, have
always been open at any time to the
inspection of the president or any
other officers of any club in the
league, and are now open to such in
spection.'
AT to-days meeting of the board
of directors (Which YOU, as usual,
did not attend) the question was
raised as to what your real rela-
tions to this league are.
TO enable us to reach a proper
conclusion upon this subject, we
request that you do imme diately sub
nit to our representative, Mr. Mich
olas f. Lenssen, who will present this
communication to you, all resoiu-
tions, or contracts, arrangements or
agreements which undertake to estab-
lish any contractual or other rea-
ton. whether as pres denN officer or
employee. between you and the Amer
lean League of Professional Base
ball clubs. Respectfully yours,
&C. A. COM1SKEY.
JACOB RUPERT.
"HARRY H. FRAZEE'
In the mean time the board Of di-
rectors had not forgotten it's little tiff
with the National Commission over
payment of certain worlds series
moheys due the Yankees. The boarc
authorized its chairman (Mr. Comis-
key) to cooperate with the New York
Il
immediate action to secure the pay
ment of the money due the players
1t was stated unotficially by several OF
the board members that if settle
ment was not Forthcoming immediately
mandamus proceedings would be insti
tuted.
Colonel Rupert reported to the
board the progress-or, rather, lack ot
progress-of d committee appointed tc
nominate a new chairman Of the Ma
tional Commission and Mr.. Johnson:
refused to meet his own appointed
RupperD in conjunction with the Ma
tional League members of the commit
tee. The board requested Mr.. Ripper
to submit his report IN writing for ap
rroprlate action at the next meeting
of the board which was adjourned unit
December 2, at the Biltmore.
A resolution was adopted embodyins
4 demand that the National Commits
sion turn over to the treasurer of tn,
American League the sum of $4,000
This is part of the 10 per cent re-
ceipts from former worlds series
which has always been held in trust by
the commission. 1t was argued tha
the American League, rather than the
commission. ahD AID enjoy the earning
of this "sinking fund" 1t is under
stood the National League intends tt
ask an accounting of the commissiol
and to draw down most Of its surplus
The S2500O. it is believed, is but mod
crate part Of the fund in trust.