Evening journal., 1919-01-13
Big ISSUES BEFORE
BASEBALL owners
Fight for a Single Headed
Commission Features
Weeks S Programme
MAJOR LEAGUES WILL
CONFER THURSDAY

NEW YORK, January i3.-Baseball
faces one Of the most momentous
weeks in its history. Questions con-
oerning the entire fabric of organized
baseball from the reform OF the Ma
tional Commission to matters pertain
ing 10 the welfare OF the lowest minor
leagues will be settled before another
Monday rolls around.
There will be meetings and confer
ences all week beginning today. Major
and minor league magnates VIII begin
TO reach here today. Tomorrow the
New International League and the Ma
tional Association OF Minor Leagues
will hold sessions. The National
League will hold its usual February
schedule meeting next Wednesday at
the Hotel Waldorf, and on Thursday
morning the American League VIII
meet at the Biltmore.
The big Joint conference OF the two
major leagues will start next Thursday
afternoon at the Biltmore, and will con-
tinue for the remainder Of the week.
on Friday or Saturday a committee
OF minor league men will be invited TO
present their grievances. TO the big
league conference.
Despite the apparent lack Of friction
at the annual meeting Of the National
Commission in Cincinnati a week ago
the old fght still Is on. Ban Johnson
is still using all his influence 10 con-
tinue the old order Of things In base
ball. He Will use all the pressure he
has 10 retain the present system OF
baseball government, with a National
Commission composed OF three men,
bers. Johnson also will make every ef-
fort TO continue Garry Hermann as
chairman Of the commission.
John Heydler, president Of the Ma
tional League, however, says his league
will stand firm in It's fight TO ougs
Hermann. It has declared itself in
favor Of a leader who has no financial
interests in baseball. and will stand pat
Dn that declaration. The National
League is also strongly in favor OF
one man commission, but would be
willing TO arbitrate that point. But on
Me elimination Of Hermann as chair
man IT, stands firm.
10 is hard 10 see what relief the major
leagues can extend TO the minors, eX-
cept a more hearty cooperation. The
majors will not surrender their right
TO draft players OF let them out on
options Neither viii any major league
club consent to the request Of the
minors TO give them first choice on all
free agents.
All Of the major league managers,
with the exception Of Christy Mathew
son, manager Of the Reds, are expected
here next week and some interesting
deals may be put over. Miller Hug
gins OF the Yankees, expects to close
deal for an outflelder, and Bobby Roth
Of Cleveland may be procured. Cleve-
land wants pitchers, and Higgins may
give it either Fisher or Russell for the
outfielder.
A deal by which the Giants hope. TO
add lot Of strength to the club also
is brewing. Particularly is McGraw
anxious Of adding to his pitching
strength.
By the United Press.
CHICAGO, Jan. i3.-Al Tearney and
T. ] Hickey, minor league bosses, are
ready TO topple an avalanche on the
major leagues. The two will attend
major league meetings IN New York
this week in an effort TO overturn
existing draft rules
III we don't get it well resort TO
other measures that will be effective"
Tearney proclaimed.
The minors ask that the big leagues
be restricted in the number Of men
drafted. I'VE develop green material
only to see Il grabbed by the big boys"
was Tearney's complaint.
Among magnates and officials leav-
ing for New York was Clarence Row
land, deposed leader Of the White sox.
He IS supposed 10 be slated for Indian
apolis. Rumor gave him a managing
iob az Cincinnati also.