New-York tribune., 1920-12-13
BaseballMo
In Get Together
Movement Here
Judge Landis Satisfied Way
Is Paved for His Reforms
as He Starts for Home
By w. ]. Macbeth


organized baseball, if ratified by the
respective parties, was adopted yes
terday afternoon at the Hotel Com
modore by the joint committee repre-
Serting the National. the American
and minor leagues. The meeting of
this joint committee, which, by the
way, was one of the most harmonious
ever held in the games history. should
of integrity which seems to be sweep
ing the magnates to stern and speedy
reform.
The chief charm of the new agree
ments strikes one at first glance in
their brevity and conciseness. From
them have been eliminated practically
all of the detail that made the former
National agreement (Which was abro-
gated by the minor leagues two years
ago) so ambiguous and technical and
in which in former suits brought
against organized baseball by the Fed
cral League had even the mightiest
counsel for the major leagues tied into
bow knots of doubt.
Pepper on the Job
The credit for the most striking
points of the new agreements belongs
TO George Wharton Pepper. the emf
nent Philadelphia lawyer, who short
time ago succeeded in having reversed
N the Appellate Division former
Judgment for S2i6.000 awarded the
Baltimore club of the defunct Federal
League against organized baseball,
which the decision of the lower court
held as trust operating in viola
ton of the Sherman law.
Commissioner (Judge) X. NJ. Landis,
who sat in as chairman of the joint
committees, had number Of potent
suggestions, but for the most part he
assumed the character of an interested
but shrewd listener. Mr.. Peppers
acumen in embracing the salient feat
ures of the old National agreement
while sitting out the chaf from it no
doubt was developed in long study for
his successful battle against the Fed
eral League plaintiffs.
The new national agreement is to
embrace two parts. One affects only
lie working relations between the two
major leagues: the other cements CO.
operation in matters affecting affairs
where interests of major leagues con-
iict with those of minor organizations.
All such secondary subjects as INFER
league draft, fines, punlshments, pro
'ection," procedure and the like have
been eliminated from the new agree
ments. These points, all of which as
mere technicalities, will be worked
out later under a code of rules and
regulations formulated by a commit
tee presided over by Commissioner
landis and comprised Of the presidents
of the National and American leagues
and of the president OF the National
Association or his representative.
The national agreement Cor agree
ments) has been indorsed by the joint
committee. But it still must await the
ratification Of the three principal
major leagues and the National Asso-
citation, or big baseball family. The
National League will act on the new
agreement during its annual meeting
which opens here tomorrow. and the
American League at its annual meeting
which will be held in Chicago on
Friday.
Special Meeting at Chicago
Tie National Association of Minor
Leagues is to hold q special meeting in
Chicago on January 10 next to con-
sider the proposition. Two days later
in the Windy City the National Asso-
ciation will meet jointly with the Ma
tional and American leagues, when, il
5 believed. these agreements. with
slight possible amendment here anc
1t had been hoped earlier that the
entire matter might be cleared up II
gigantic conference of all baseball
interests in this city the latter par
. of the week, but the plan was aban
doned because OF the mpossibility OF
-he Pacific Coast League and far West
crn magnates arriving on time.
The major and minor league instru
ment must be sent to all leagues fo
H. 4 L
distributed through the Office of Secre
tary John H. Farrell Of the Nationa
Association, and it is figured it viii
require at least four weeks for the mis-
sives to be weighed carefully an
mailed votes in answer forwarde
hack to Auburn, n. Y.
The new agreement in full, follows
An agreement between the National
League of Professional Baseball
Clubs and each of it's eight con-
stituent clubs, of the one par, and the
American League of professional
Baseball Club and. each of its eight
constituent clubs, Of the other part.
Article 1.-The Commissioner
Section !. The Office of Commits
sioner is hereby created.
Sec 2. The functions of the Com
missioner shall be as follows:
fa) To investigate either upon com
piaint or upon his own initiative, any
act, transaction or practice charged
alleged or suspected to be detri
mental 70 the best interests Of the
national game Of baseball; with au
thority to summon persons and tx
order the production of documents
and, In case of refusal TO appear OF
produce. to impose such penalties a.
are hereinafter provided.
tb) To determine, after investiga
ton, what preventive, remedial O.
punitive action is appropriate in tn.
premises.
OBJ To determine, after investiga
ton. and to take such action eithe
against major leagues, major leapu,
eiues or individuals, as the case ma.
ne.
tc) To hear and determine finall,
any dispute between the maio
leagues which may be certified TO hin
3or determination by the President 0
eithcr major league.
'o) TO near and determine fnall
any dispute to which a player il
party, or any dispute CONCERNING
player, which may be certified to hjr
by either or any of the disputanta
'e) To formulate, and from time I
time announce, the ruleg Of nrf
eedure to be observed by the Com
missioner and all other Darties /
connection with the DISCHARGE Of hi
duties. Such rules shall ALWAYS rec
ognize tbs right Of any party in In
ferest 70 appear before the Comnis
sioner and be heard and the right O
the presidents Of the two naio
ieaEUes 70 appear and he heard uro