New-York tribune., 1920-12-15

busted during the entire sitting of the
afternoon, and the fercest epithet
hurled was a good-natured Mister
Which either means that the millen-
rium Is near at hand or that the mag
pates are finally getting onto them
selves. For. in days gone by. annual
meetings of the National League were
known far aAd near as fActionai fights
that would put to shame some of the
best efforts Of the Bolsheviki. Old
time conferences raised squabbles that
filed out the remaining winter with
exchanges of airy persif1age columns
long daily.
Even couple of managers were per-
mitted to sit in at the councils of the
precedent. A National League rule,
which barred all managers in times
gone, barred John !. McGraw, Fred
Mitchell and Branch Hickey when
these. three doubled in brass. Mcssrs.
McGraw and Hickey were admitted as
, delegates yesterday when it was
proved to the satisfaction of their con-
xederates that both owned stock in the
clubs they sought to represent.
Subscribe Their Names
The following representatives sub
scribed their names as the National
Leagues ratification of the maj
league part Of the new agreement:
John j. McGraw and Francis X. Nc
Quade, New York; George w. Grant,
Boston; Charles H. Ebbets. Brooklyn;
William F. Baker, Philadelphia; Bar
ney Dreyfuss, Pittsburgh William A..
Veeck and A. D. Lasker, Chicago; S. c..
Breadon and Branch Hickey, st. Louis,
IT
Widrig, Cincinnati.
No sooner had President Heydler
finished the reading Of the various rou-
tine reports, which were listened to
jointly by the board of directors and
the league as a whole, than he was re-
quested to leave the room. ThereNpon
Charles H. Ebbets, in his most howery
oratory, proposed the resolution that
assured Honest John tougher battle
with Big Bill Edwards, but an extern
sion of three years at a much better
job.
Perhaps to hoodwink Big Bill, by
gum, the terms of the new contract
were not announced publicly. Heydler
contract, which would not have expired
until December of 1921. He will serve
as National League president, then.
until December, 1924, or longer. This
honor was a deserving one, in the opin
ion of every disinterested bystander.
for Heydler has shown decision Of
character and loyalty of purpose
toward the general "house-c cleaning"
promised the sport.
Spitball Pitchers Find Friends
The National League went on record
as favoring an extension of grace to
veteran spitball pitchers. There are
nine of these in the National League
Douglas (New York;: Grimes and
Mitchell (Brooklyn), Doak and Good
win est. Louis), Fillingim and Rudolph
(Boston), Hendrix (Chicago), and
Fisher (Cincinnati). By rule of the
Joint rules committee adopted last
spring all these men would have been
deprived of a livelihood in their pro-
fession.
The National League feels those who
have spent their lives developing
specially should not be thrown out in
old age. To all but these veterans the
spitball will be taboo. Awaiting the
action of the American League on the
matter, the case Of the National League
"spitters" hes been thrown on the
mercy Of the newly created advisory
council.
The National League also favors a
new form Of contract with a clause
which will bind the player to discipline
Of the commissioner, Judge Landis,
throughout thu entire twelve months of
each season. This is a matter which
must be acted upon jointly by the two
major leagues. If the American
League is willing the matter will be
placed in the hands of Judge Lands.
President Heydlcr of the National
League made it plain to the newspaper
men after the meeting that Charles H.
Herzog, of the Cubs, rested under no
shade of suspicion. Herzog came up
from Maryland to demand vindication
Rube Benton accused Herzog of hay-
ing mad a part in the worlds series
PIo1 OF 1919. Both were examined by
Mr.. Heydler and his evidence was siftec
by the Cook County grand iurv
Neither Mr.. Heydler nor the grand iurv
could determine which of the two was
prevarIcating. 1t was agreed thai
somebody lied. '""'
At that time Mr.. Heydler gave Her.
cog clean bill Of health for the t;rna
president Veeck, Of the Cubs, declared
empnasically that the asking Of waivers
on herzog had nothing to do at ali
witn the bandying of his name by
Dsnloh. however, 1t is promised by the
National League that the coutroyersy
on this pair will be sifted to the hnt
tom by the high tribunal and If The
guilty person can be discovered snrn-
msry action will be taken.
lne National League was unable n
conclude all its business yesterday. bnt
expects to finish certain rout;ne IN !.
snort session to-day.
The National League constitutions
va amended 20 that hereafter a re-.
*o'ss iof waiver may be withdrawn.
bsrnsy Dreyfuss, who has made Yoor.
S;eauies S;n tnan Charles II. Ebbcts. has
Ioyereo holidays. has the honor Of
Is..s II.s'ns the 1921 National League
Ins 1870 pennant was awarded n
sne brooklyn club. Not 80 the worlds
ser,ss pennant iris Speaker vetoe
Hereafter visiting clubs Of ths Ma.
sienal League will be allowed thirty
minutes for batting practice. nrtead ~,
twenty. Some Of them need It.
Ths National League umpire. 1,
1911 may laugh At the wolf at the door
Became Of the high cost Of living q
generous increase for travelling and
aossi expenses was voted
Frank J. Nsvin, OF tho Detroit club
VIII present TO tho annual meeting OF
tbs American League here Friday the
aataonsE.eague's adoption of tho inter
isagus akrssment.