New-York tribune., 1920-02-11

Baker and William veeck, his fellow
commissioner. met with Colonel Rup-
pert, chairman of the American League
committee on the National Commission
Craftsmanship this afternoon. 1t was
after the meeting that the president
Of the Phillies expressed his belliger-
snt utterances.
This committee will meet again late
tonight after the American League
meeting, still in session when these
lines are written, has adjourned. Frank
Navin, the other American League
committeeman, has promised to be on
hand and to subscribe to the policy
which may put the National Agreement
IN Jeopardy.
The Joint committee appointed to
help select successor to Chairman
August Hermann of the National Com
mission will present the names of three
prospective candidates to the joint
meeting tomorrow. These men are
Judge Kenesaw Mountain Lands, of
Chicago; William f. (Big BID Ed
wards, Collector of Internal Revenue,
and John Conway Toole, a prominent
iawyer-the last two of New York City.
Peace in the Balance
1t was said late tonight that one
OF the three must be accepted by John
son.. The alternative is reputation
Of the National Agreement. which alone
preserves territorial and player rights
Of the big leagues-in short, the only
iEsJfulAent that preserves peace.
Newspapcrmen who talked with Ban
Johnson declare he will insist at to-
morrow's joint meeting that the chair
manship be decided by the parlia-
.mentary usages prescribed by the
National agreement. This would mean
that Johnson and president John A.
Heydler. OF the National League, would
have to arrive at Il mutual agreement
as TO Garry Hermanns successor.
johnson has announced publicly that
he will employ every measure at his
command to have Hermann retained
in Office. Mr.. Hermann, interviewed
to-day, intimated that he might be con-
strained upon to recall his resigna-
tion. He says he would consent to
act in the office he has filled during
The life of the peace agreement if the
majority of National League club
owners were to ask him to reconsider
his resignation.
A motion will be put to have the
National agreement revised so that it
may be amended hereafter by a major
.ty vote of the clubs owners of both
leagues in joint session. If this can
be accomplished then the club owners
IN joint session tomorrow may select
Herrmann's successor by secret ballot
from one OF the three.
But if, as is possible by the objection
OF any one of the contracting sixteen
club owners. this amendment is defeat
ed, then the majority of the National
League club owners will Join lorces
With the three revolutionary clubs of
the American League in the fight
against Johnson's alleged dictatorship.
Suggests Five-Man Board
Meanwhile Cal Ewing, the Pacific
Coast magnate, comes forward with q
very attractive proposition for the en-
Ewing would have the commission func-
ton for all baseball-both major and
minor. He would have the board COM
posed of two major and two minor
league repre- with a fifth
party as chairman.
In all matters Of concern to major
league clubs the chairman and the
two major representatives would have
sole jurisdiction. Minor league cases
would be settled by the chairman and
the minor representatives. Cases in
volving disputes between major and
minor clubs would be settled by the
fuli board. This suggestion Mr..
i4NluS Will SuDUllC 2uuiSuay aL tnS
toint meeting of major and minor
magnates, which has for it's object the
agreement. The old agreement was
atrogated at the suggestion of the
minor leagues year ago.
The American League was in session
almost four hours, beginning at noon
to-day, before adjournment was taken
until o'clock. According to the
anti-Johnsonites it was a stormy af.
fair. The revolutionists declare that
the loyal five continued the "stean,
roller" practices inaugurated at New
York last December. Much of the
time was consumed by Jacob Rupert
who directed the attack against the
American League executive,
Secretary Hsrridge announced aftci
rual report had not been read because
i had not been called for. Colone
RUPERT emphatically declares he callet
IN vain for the reading of this report
No Shifts After July
Most of the business transacted a
the American League meeting thi
afternoon was routine. The Yanke,
owners declared the official schedul,
Tor 1920, while not Objectionable t,
shem. had been released without rati
fication.
A new rule was adopted by tn,
american League which will preven
she sale, loan or transfer of a playe
from one American League club to an
other after July Of each playin
season. except through the channel o
the waive route. Clark Griffith sup
xested june l as the date; Colone
Ruppert suggested September /.
compromise was struck at July /. Th
penalty for violation of this rule i
forfeiture of all games in which sue
il'egally transferred player particl
rates
The following resolution, aimed I
guard against "tampering" with pla,
ers, was adopted:
"A player shall not enter into negs
tiations with any other club for servie
without the consent in writing of tn
club with which he is under contrac
or reservation, nor shall any .clu
owner, manager. player or agent Of an
club negotiate for the services of
player Of another club without tn
consent In writing of the club havin
title to the players services.
If club owner, manager agent o.
player of any club violates this pro
vision the penalty for the first offensc
- the charges are sustained shall b,
inns Of 1000 and for the second of
1enses expulsion from the league"
Ae weiver rule In the America,