The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-13
Judge Landis Is Chairman or Tribunal
By Associated Press

| tC1SNC Ntdpo anu Sii0ISby DSSdtfc thC final court of appeals in all matters Of administration which may come up be- tween the National and American leagues and any minor leagues which voluntarily join in the proposed reor ganization of baseball.
 Judge Landis was hearing a case in which si5,o90 bribery in connection with an income tax was charged when a com mittee of eight club owners called on him. .Ns the magnates filed into the courtroom, hats in their hands. the judge sharply banged his gaNei and or dered tn. m to make less noise. When informed of their mission he had them escorted to his chambers, where they were kept in waiting for 45 minutes be- fore the judge would listen to the offer that increased his annual salary from s7,5oe year to $oo,oeo. t
 MAGNATES HAVE TO WATT
 While the magnates- waited. ,Hs judge conducted the bribery trial in l.ls usual vigorous fashion and gave vent 60 souse scathing remarks about the men who fai sify their income tax returns.
 Waiting on the judge were Charles Comiskey, president of the Chicago American league club; William veeck, president of the Nationals; Jacob Rup- pert of the New York Americans, Clark Griffith of the Washington Amercars. Charles Ebbets of Brooklyn, Garry Herr mann of Cincinnati, Baryney Dreyfus ot Pittsburg and John Breadon of the St. Louis Nationals. Later they were joined by Connie Mack of the Philadelphia Americans, Robert Quinn and James Dunn of Cleveland.
 At first the judge refused the offer cn the ground that he loved his position as judge too much to quit the bench. Finally. however, he agreed to hold both positions. but specified that his base ball salary should be decreased by S7, 5OS the amount he receives as judge. It was agreed that as chairman he should re- ceive $42.5oo year, instead of the soo,ooo originally offered.
 After the meeting, Judge Landis took Clark Griffith, 8 personal friend, over to a window.
 REASON FOR ACCEPTING "Grilt,' he said, Il m going to tell you just why I took this job. See those kids down there in the street? See that airplane propeller on the wall? We'll. that explains my acceptance. You see that propeller was on the plane in which my son, Maj Reed Lan- dis, flew while overseas. Reed and l went to one of the world series games at Brooklyn. Outside the gate were a bunch of little Kids raying around. Reed turned to me and said: Dad, woulan t it be a shame to have the game of these little kids. broken up? Wouldn't it be awful to take baseball away from them? We'll, while you gentlemen were talking to me, I looked up at this propeller amt I thought of Reed. Then I thought ot his remark in Brooklyn. Griff. we've got to keep baseball on high standard for the sake of the youngsters--thats $ why took the job, because I want to help"
 Judge Landis' official acceptance was made in the following statement:
 HIS STATEMENT "I have accepted the chairmanship Of baseball on the invittaion of the sixteen major league clubs. At their request and in accordance with my own earneEt wishes I am to remain on the bench and continue my work here The opportuni- ties for real service are limitless. It is a matter to which have been devoted for nearly 70 years. On the question of policy all I have to say is this: The only thing in anybody's bind now is to make and keep baseball what the mil lions of fans throughout the United States want it to be-
 Judge Landis Is national figure, for the important cases he has passed upon and his wit and sarcasm--some- times humorous and sometimes caus-
 
 counsel from his bench have made him famous.
 Baseball always has been one of his hobbies. In the little town of Logans- port, Ind, where he was reared, the judge played on amateur and semi professional team. His brilliant play ing brought him many offers to turn professional but he always declined, saying he played merely for sport and love of the game.
 In 1914 Judge Landis presided in the legal battle which resulted from the greatest baseball war in history-the fight of the Federal league against The judge never rendered decision the National and American leagues The juduge never rendered a decision in this case however, for 1t was set tied out of court while he was still forming his official opinion While studying the case. the judge spent many hours looking into baseball his tory, the national engagement and oth- CT documents giving information con- corning baseball. The knowledge &C., quired during this period made him a legal authority on the administration of the games affairs.
 Judge Landis attends many major league games here every year and seldom misses a worlds series. At the annual fall classics heS generally may be found in a box back of third base, his old black slough hat pulled down over his eyes during a game and a long black cape falling from his shoulders He never talks during game. but studies every play closely and enjoys analysing the strategy used by the op- posing players. One of his hobbies at game Is to try to guess the next play.
 Judge Landis was born in Millville. o., November 20, 1886, and was named for Kenesay mountain. near Atlanta where his father was wounded in the Civil war He first became nationally prominent when he fined the Standard oil company s29. .240,000 after forcing John D. Rockefeller to come here to testify His decision was reversed by the appellate court however
 During the World war he presided at the famous Industrial Workers of the World trial, sentencing Big Bilr' Hay wood, secrstary- treasurer and 2s other members to prison. Shortly afterward an explosion at the federal building killed several persons, but the judge was uninjured. Also sentenced Con- gressfilan Victor L.. Berger to prison for alleged obstruction of the nations war preparations
 Senator Thomas of Colorado, in an address in the Senate, said Judge Landis should be impeached for his order. The judges only comment was. Don't it beat the devil what some Senators will do to pass the time away"