The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-10-05

had been fixed had been accumu-
lating and growing more and more
definite. Immediately after the
close of last years season Hugh
Fullerton. for one, In his widely
published syndicate articles pre-
dicted that seven players would be
excluded from unemployment. In
December In three or four articles
Fullerton supplied charges that
would have been sufficient basis for
definite investigation by the man
ayers. had they desired the facts
probed to the bottom. AS usual.
the newspapers have given advance
information which final investiga-
ton has substantiated. As usual. a
great fraud upon the public has
been forced under the limelight by
the press.
1.-THE relationship between base
ball and the newspapers is an
especially intimate one. The news
papers have made it the great
American game. The space that
has been accorded IL in free pub
Lefty is far beyond computation or
even guess. 1t Is profoundly the
business Of the press to see that
the present purging Is made com
plete. The same alertness that has
brought about the shameful dis
closures will be maintained to keep
the game hereafter 'on the square
There must be a thorough cleaning.
sparing none. and henccforth the
game must be above suspicion, or
else newspaper support must be
withdrawn. But there is every In
dication that the cleaning, now that
IT is we'll started. will be done CT
fectively."
NEEDS NEW LEADERS.
Professional baseball needs new
leaders. The National Commission
so-called baseball supreme court, hal
been without a chairman becaus'
Ban Johnson would not accept JohI
Heydler's candidate and Heydler de
cIined to accept Johnson's. The gam
today is moving along without lead
ership of a general type. Each league
runs it's own business.
When John Heydler spoke to Bal
J Johnson last fall about the rumor
charging gamblers with fixing tn
1919 worlds SERIES" the American
League boss CURLY replied, You at
tend to your league. John, and I'll at
tend to mfue." How we'll Johnson at
tended to his own is evidenced by thu
lateness OF the present investigation
which came about by the courageou
action of William l.. Veeck, forme
baseball writer now president of thu
Chicago National League team.
When the alleged "leaders of base
ball" were asked for statements con
corning the present scandal. all spok,
except Ban johnson
He held his tongue, promising on
sat lat 10
come.
If Ban Johnson had been a capable
leader. he would have instituted al
investigation at once when Heydle
told him Billy Gleason's suspicious.
If Heydler had been a capable lead
err. he would have proceeded will
an investigation without Johnson
aid. -
BAN OUT OF FOLD.
When the suggestion came that
of our national game. Heydler aros
above medicority with an instan
agreement to take himself off tn
National Commission. IL it would ali
baseball. Ban Johnson, thus far, ha
said nothing.
1t is difficult for an old dog t
learn new tricks. Ban Johnson wa
the "czar of basebalP from 1904 L
the utbreak OF the war with Ger
many. He began fading right Their
He failed ignominiously in his hand
ling of the affairs of baseball In Il
relation to the United States Govern
ment Things would have gone L
smash but for Clark c. Griffith. VIII,
rushed forward into the brooch.
Members of the Chicago Cubs ant
the Boston Red Sox openly floute,
the GEAR OF baseball at Fenwa.
Park during the worlds series o
1917. That started the rebellion o
Comiskey. Frazee and the New Yorl
Colonies, ultiamtely coming close I,
breaking the American League in tw,
and ending only In an armistice. Nov
that armisticc is approaching it's end
How liz the American public eve
going to regain it's former confidence
in the integrity of their nationa
game when the same proved in
competents remain at it's head?
How long will the American pres
continue to support with miles Of FIRE.
publicity an institution its own writ
crs doubt?
The American League owners, VIII,
have long waited at the feet OF tn,
"czar of baseball for pearls OF wis
dom to fall from his lips. will do wei
to ponder this situation long befor,
continuing their support of. leade
who Is now shown to be no leader "A
all In the greatest crisis facing tn,
national game since 1877. when vii
liam A. Hubert crushed the snake o
crook cdness beneath his heel by OK
pclling for all time four player
found guilty OF just what eight mem
bers OF tho Chicago White SoX ar
charged with doing