The New York herald., 1920-01-26
JUDGE LANDIS MAY
Be BASEBALL HEAD
Chicagoan Favored to Succeed
August Hermann as National
Commission Chairman.
CHARLES COMISKEYS CHOICE
Efforts of Ban Johnson to Elect j
L. Killilea Opposed by Ameri-
can League Clubs.

Important developments impend in base.
ball politics. Charles Comiskey, presi-
dent of the Chicago White Sox and leader
OF the progressive group of club owners
Of the American League who have been
fighting Ban Johnson, has come out pub
iicly for Judge Kenesaw NJ. Lands. of
Chicago, as successor to August Herr
mann. recently resigned as chairman OF
the National Commission.
As Ban Johnson, who apparently has as
firm grip on the executive branch of the
sport as ever is espousing the candidacy
of J. L. killilea of Milwaukee, an attor-
ney, there promises to be merry row
when the two major leagues convene in
joint meeting early next month in Chi
cago.
The Mays case will cut big figure in
this latest phase of baseball politics, be-
cause the American League club owners
who have opposed Johnson in that fight
are certain to line up against him in the
test over the chairmanship
Indicative of this was the statement
issued last night by Colonial Til Huston,
vice president OF the Yankees, before
starting on a three day hunting trip in
the South
The American League club owners who
We trying to bring order out of the chaos
into which Ban Johnson has plunged the
sport will oppose him to the utmost in his
efforts to land Killilea as successor to
Garry Hermann,
AS matter OF fact we would rather
have Hermann than Killilea. The latter
Is Milwaukee attorney and is so close to
van Johnson that we do not want him in
charge of baseball affairs now or at any
time in the future"
From another source it was ascertained
tha- Killilea aided Johnson when the
latter was preparing his affidavits in the
Mays case when it was begun last summer
hillilea, II was said, spent several days
with the American League president at a
New York hotel Furthermore, Johnson's s
foes declared that the Milwaukee man
has acted for Johnson in other cases and
Wint that he still advises him in the current
baseball warfare
The opposition of Colonels Rupert and
Huston, OF the Yankees, to Killilea means
also that Harry Frazee. of the Boston
club. will oppose the man from Milwaukee.
tional League as unit will turn him
down. So it seems Johnson's boom for his
pet candidate is permanently punctured.
The outlook is that strong fight will
be made to seat Judge Landis, who is re-
Carded by most baseball men as an adj
inirable man for the position. His ud'cial
mind, the fact that he is a baseball fan
and not connected in the remotest way
with the contending factions, combine to
commend him highly for position that
in the future will carry greater responsi-
bility than ever before.
In view of the fact that William Veeck.
Of the Chicago Cubs is regarded as a
,strong Landis' supporter. it is highly prob
able that the National League will in
struct John Heydler as it's president, to
vote for the Western jurist.
Lands seems to be the dominating can
.iidate, and if Johnson will accept him he
quickly will be seated when the leagues
convene in joint meeting. If Johnson re-
fuses, however. long fight will ensue,
for ii is doubtful whether the two leagues
will he able to get together on another
candidate so long as the present political
warfare continues.
Most of the anti-,Iohnson club owners
arc agreed that only big man with a
national reputation should have the posi-
tion. There arc q number of minor booms
under way, but none. has attained impor-
tant proportions as yet. There still is q
chance that well known New York man
will be brought forward by those hostile
to Johnson