New-York tribune., 1920-01-12
Single Ruling
Body Predicted
For Baseball
One Government for Majors
and Minors Would Elim-
mate Arbitration Board
By w. J. Macbeth

A reorganization Of the government
of organized baseball is a possibility
that may develop from the joint meet
ings of the two major leagues in
Chicago on February II next. John
A. Heydler. president of the National
League, admitted as much in Chicago
Saturday, on the eve of his departure
with Ban Johnson for Louisiana.
where the two major league club presi-
dents will arrange schedules for the
National and American leagues for
Mr.. Heydler's few terse remarks
indicated clearly that the majority
of the National League club owners
favored one government for all of or
ganized baseball. Such q departure
from the old order of things could
scarce fail to harmonic more closely
the interests of major and minor
leagues, which at present are estranged
because the minors a year ago volun-
tarily abrogated the old working
agreement. These minors are now
anxious to reestablish such relations
as they rejected.
One government for both major and
minor league baseball would eliminate
the board of arbitration of the National
association, the body polite that now
shapes the destiny Of all matters con-
corning the minor leagues alone But
it would enlarge the Importance of the
national mlSSlon, WnIca hence
forth would act both In major and
minor matters and on interests be-
tween the two.
1t would make the chairmanship of
this new na.iorai commission w is.r
the most important executive Office in
the sport-superior indeed to the
presidencies OF the major leagues. And
thus there would be the added incen-
, cessor man OF the highest standing
and judicial mind-one who would
Justify the promise OF long term
contract at a salary Of $4,000 or even
$4,000 year. For such a salary after
AL would mean to each of the sixteen
clubs some $1,000 or $4,000 annually
tar less than the waiver price of q
ball player.
If the powers of the National Com
mission are extended so as to include
legislative authority over the minor
as we'll as the major leagues it will
be very necessary, of course, to give
those minors representation on the new
board. This is a boon for which the
minors have clamOred unsuccess1uily,
10, these many years, and would
the little fellows to labor diligently
toward the ratification OF new peace
agreement that would be fair to all
concerned.
Indeed, it has been felt in certain
quarters Tor some time past that one
central government would be an im-
provement over the two branches. With
common representation common inter-
ests could De better sa4esuAluva. AND
m this respect it might be we'll for
the solons to remember that they could
do tar worse than allow the great play
ing fraternity representation on such
a new Dou4u as t.is uaciOlaf c, 1..1:Ii ,-
sion is likely to be made The play
ing fraternity is after all the real
backbone OF the game. 1T certainly
represents more than half the integrity
and charm OF the national pasuime.
The week of February II is likely
to see some very important baseball
history made abou Gnlcalu L4s4t.vs
the joint schedules meetings and the
JOINT meeting of the major leagues the
hatlonal commission ~ ina. .uN Is
to decide upon a chairman. The minor
league committee appointed to ress-
tablish working agreement with the
majors will also be on hand
Out IN ChlcagO the writers have
launched boom for Judge Lands as
chairman of tie nationa. cona.loslop
1t is known that this candidate is
favorable to the committees of the
two major leagues. But somehow the
impression has gained ground among
the Windy City scribes that Ban
Johnson is antagonistic to Judge
Lands, which fact appears to have
cost the president Of the Anne rican
League much of the support that pre-
vailed up to this time in the fight
between him and the revolutionary fac
tion of the American League.