New-York tribune., 1919-03-07
Attorney for the Defunct
League So Notifies Heyd-
Ter Herrmann's Status
By w. I. Macbeth

Baltimore club Of the defunct Federal
League against organized baseball,
which was to have been called before
the Supreme court in Washington next
Monday, had been postponed indef-
nitely.
Mr.. Heydler was advised Of the de-
lay, or stay, by George Wharton Pep
per, the celebrated Philadelphia at
torney, who is acting as chief attorney
for the defence. At the time he COM
municated with the National League
executive Mr.. Pepper had not been
advised of the new date for the hear
ing.
However, as postponments in the
court in question usually involve
waits Of many months because of the
press of business on the calendar
there seems little likelihood Of the
Federal bug-a-boo influencing the
peace. and tranquility of the happy
baseball family before the major
league races are we'll along the 1919
stretch, at least.
o. b. Never Apprehensive
AS matter of fact organized base
bali never has been very apprehensive
as to the ultimate issue of the suit,
even though the Federas have threat
encd to show up organized baseball
as gigantic trust which operates in
violation of the Sherman law.
The Baltimore people were quite
disturbed when their suit came to a
show down at Philadelphia two years
ago Mr.. Pepper. for organized base
ball, handled his case so skilfully
that the plaintiffs threw up the
sponge before all the evidence for the
defence had been presented. At the
solicitation of the Baltimoreans the
case was withdrawn from the Phila-
delphia court
The case which will como to trial
in Washington-if, indeed, it ever does
come to trials but the old withdrawn
one revampod a bit. The alleged
amount of damage is identically the
same, and in this one, as in tho other,
the "trust' charge IS also presented
What new evidence, if any, is to be
| submitted is, Oh course, a ilidbI'l VI
pure conjecture only so far as the de-
| fence is concerned.
1t can be stated authoritatively, how
ever, that the postponement was granted
on the prayers of the prosecution.
Organized baseball was very anxious
to have the thing over with as quickly
as possible 1t had gone to a great
deal of trouble and expense in the hope
of show down before the clubs Of
the two major leagues should be called
upon to 60 South. Messrs. Pepper and
Ben Minor. president Of the Washing-
ton Americans and counsel for the
American League, were confident they
| had prepared an unassailable line Of
amendments.
The Hindenberg line was just piker
in comparison in their belief. Organ
ized baseball had absolutely nothing to
gain by delay. The fact that the Fed
eral Leaguers asked for time is in
terpreted as an admission Of weakness,
especially when the fate OF their former
suit is called to mind.
New Ghost Stalking
Directly associated with the post
ponement of this case which struck
at the foundations Of organized base
ball, emerging from the closet in which
it is locked for the time, stalks new
ghost, however, Which is no less a
momentous phantom than the chair
manship Of the National Commission.
The National League magnates have
turned down their thumbs on the Gin
cinnati president. who has graced this
office since it was first created through
the peace agreement Of 1908.
1t is known that the National League
has insisted upon the sidetracking Of
Garry and that the American League
I L iro i+obl R1f ci ra
the joint meeting here last January
Hermann has been able to cling to
his precarious position only because
Of the proximity of the suit in Ques-
ton. Herrmann's familiarity with the
ropes made him the star witness OF
similar suit brought by the Federal
League against organiped baseball
which hung fire before Judge Lam
dis, Of Chicago, until the warning fac
tions finally effected settlement in
the spring Of 1916.
Hermann, it is understood on excel
lent authority has been tolerated by
his National League ousters, only be-
cause Of the conviction that he might
serve an excellent purpose in the de-
fence of baseball. Whether or not
those who are demanding his scalp will
be willing to give Hermann additional
respite till the case is finally called re-
mains TO De seen. Inc JOINT committee
appointed by the major leagues to Sc
lcct successor to Hermann has never
met. His American League friends
pointed out that change would be in
advisable with the suit on the eve
Of trial as en- adverse decision might
automatically dissolve the Supreme
Court Of organized baseball
When John J. McGraw, vice president
manager Of the Giants, accepted an invi-
tation from the Curtiss people to tran
sport his team to Philadelphia by air.
plane for the opening game Of April
%, he started something.
Elihu B. Frost, president of the Elec-
trio Boat Company formerly the John
B. Holland Submarine Boat Company.)
has invited the Yankees to go to their
training camp at Jacksonville, Fla, by
submarine two weeks hence. Colonel
Til Huston, who left for Cincinnati last
night In order to put as great q dis
tancc as possible between himself and
the water, has accepted tentatively on
behalf Of the club but insists upon
volunteer programme strictly.
The "Cap" says he'll take a chance
on anything once. He says. however
If he goes on board the submcrsiblc he
wall insist the captain make no ATTEMPT
TO explore those thousand leaguos
under the sea. There might happen to
be Dan Tpple down there among the
mermen