New-York tribune., 1920-02-07
Rival Baseball
Factions Ready
For Hot Fight
Neither Appears Weak in
American League; Mack's
Talk Creates Animus
By w. J. Macbeth

That the rival forces Of the Ameri
can League expect plenty of trouble in
Chicago next week and that there is
no. apparent sign Of weakening on
either case was evidenced in yester-
days Philadelphia papers. Connie
Mack, half owner of the Philadelphia
Athletics and stanch supporter of Ban
Johnson, at the annual dinner of the
Quaker City sports writer's the night
before last intimated war to the
death.
Connie declared at length that the
fight against johnson, of the American
League, "by certain crowd" cannot
force him (Johnson) to resign.
He lBan) can stay there as long as
he wishes the position" said Mack.
They will hurt none but the innocent
clubs not taking part in the fight.
President Johnson is the man who
made the American League second to
none.
II am not certain there will be an
american League this year." Mack con-
cluded, "but if there is, expect to
Battling It'll" Huston, of the
Yankees, got a good chuckle out of
Mack's statement.
Too Late to Reconsider
eve never intended to fight with
cream puffs," declared the colonel with
out passion. perhaps the boys on
the other side of the fence are just
beginning to tumble to the fact that
they have a real fight on their hands.
But the time for them to have con-
sidered was before they oiled up that
old steam roller. It's too late now for
them to cry over the spilled milk.
III Comics latest ebullition is calcu-
lated to intimidate the opponents of
Ban johnson, he'll have to come again."
continued Huston dryly.
Mack, I see, is quoted from Phila-
delphia to the effect that the fight
against johnson will hurt no one ex-
cept the innocent That is quite true
If ne means the so-called loyal clubs
by innocent If he means by the
innocents' himself, Clark Griffith and
Phil Ball, why, all l have to saw is
that they were the first to rush to
> ohnson's assistance and to refuse all
offers of conciliation.
he says there may be no American
League next season." said Huston.
wen, SO far as can see, Connie hasn't
Deen IN the American League for about
five years now. NO American Learue'
should be big boost for the Athletics.
Takes Rap at Mack
The clubs opposing Johnson are go
ing to play baseball in 192O-and there
a1ter, continued Huston. "If the other
other name in tive-club circuit. why.
Connie is bound to finish no worse
than fifth-which is three positions
higher than he has landed in five wears.
icu can't hang guy for trying"
Ihe two battling Colonies, Ruppert
and al huston, together with Harry
Frazee and Ed. Barrow. of the Rod
Sox, will leave tomorrow afternoon
for Chicago. Whether or not the revo-
iutionlsts will sit through the ad
}ourned meeting of the American
League. to be held Tuesday, depends
upon CIRCUMSTANCES, it was said yester-
DAY II the five "loyal" club owners
give the least hint of pursuing the
alleged steam roller" tactics seen at
the meeting here in December thew will
De le1t strictly to themselves. In any
event the revolutionists intend to be
on hand for the joint meeting of the
two major leagues next "Wednesday
hints dropped by William F. Baker
MEMBER OF the joint committee ;o'
pointed to advise on a new national
commission chairman, and other cluh
owners of the National League ind
cate that the forces of the parent
major organization are hard al wo1k in
an effort to bring together the r;vai 81
lsctlons i'3c OF the American League. The
qleimate = attitude of the National
seagus VIII doubtless develop with the
in question A'oishlp
National Enters Fight
The majority of the National Leaeue
e1obe cup owners were disposed to au stand
coUoi cons;der;na IRON the American League fight.
r;ua, ";rng IL a matter in which the
IN a few days ago, when Mr.. Johnsnn um,
'ne'mated he would exert every infnl