The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-08-01
Suspension Of Mays Is
 Cruel Blow TO Yankees
Action of Ban Johnson Ruins Whatever Chance Yankees Had to Win American Pennant.

NeW ! ork, Aug. 1-The Yankees received a shock yesterday when aa official notice came from Prestdent San Johnson of the American League that Carl Mays, the pitcher recently traded by Boston to the Yankees. had been indefinitely suspended. Mays re- ported to Manager Higgins at the FoIo Grounds yesterday all ready to pitch, and if he had been allowed to work yesterday, the Yankees might have had a victory instead of a. de feat.
 Johnson's action in suspendinp Mays at this time was a great sur prise to the officials of the New York cIup. They cannot explain Johnson's attitude It was known that Chicago and Cleveland were both after the player from Boston, and the fact that both Of these clubs were disappoint- ed in the transaction may have in Iluenced Johnson to prevent Mays from playing here for the time being.
 Johnson says he suspended Mays for leaving the Boston club without per mission. He left on July 12 and was fined S100. This fine was paid and Mays reported back to President Fra zee on Tuesdaey, July 29. As the Mays case was purely a matter be- tween the player and the Boston club it is ineXplainable why Johnson should suspend Mays at this late date
 President Ruppert of the Yankees is highly displeased over the action of Johnson and has wired to the execu- tive asking him to raise the suspen- sion. The transa ction was legitimate in every particular and the New York officials feel that Johnson is over stepping his authority in preventing Mays from playing when the Tanks are fighting hard to stay in the pen nant race.
 President Ruppert's telegram sent to President Johnson last night is as follows:
 'In dealing for Mays, New York felt that you must have been cogniz- ant from press reports that three clubs of our league were negotiating for this man; also, if you considered that NIays's conduct called for any action on your part and was other than internal affair of the Boston Club, you should have acted during the period of July IS to 29. Receiving no an swer to our telegram of July 24, in reply to yours of even date, we felt that you were being imposed upon. and therefore we continued our ne gotiations for the player. The play CT reported to President Frazee on July 29, and was later transferred to New York.
 Therefore your action in suspend ing the player works such a terrible hardship on our club that we respect fully ask that you raise this suspen- sion. We make this request in the friendliest spirit, without, however waiving our legal rights"
 According to a message from Chi cago, President Johnson expresses surprise that any club owner should have been dickering for a player who acted as Mays did.
 Baseball cannot tolerate such breach of discipline.'' said MT. John son in suspending the player Tt was up to the owners of the Boston club to suspend Carl Mays for breaking his contract, and when they failed to to do so it was my duty as head of the American elague to act. Mays will not play with any club until the sus- pension is raised. He should have re- ported to the Boston club before thev made any trades or sale.'