The Washington times., 1920-10-30
BANS MOGU[S'
Reject PLANS
FOR CLEANUP
Object to ''lasker Method" and
- Suggest Meeting to Con-
T., slider Whole.

-: CHICAGO, Oct. .30.-Does profess
sional baseball need outside help or
can It run its own affairs?
This is now the issue between two
big factions In organized baseball,
according TO Ban Johnson, following
the rejection late yesterday of the
q. ..asker Civilian Tribunal plan by
the board of directors OF the Ameri-
can League, beaded by the leagues
president.
President Johnson and his loyal
five" clubs say to the National League
and the. three American clubs back
Of the Laskcr plan that such a plan
is wholly Intellectual. because:
I. 1t leaves the minors out in the
cold
.. Its Civilian Tribunal" wouldn't
be any better able TO stamp out gam
bling and ookedncss than the pres
ent national commission.
4" 8. Its heads would have no expert
,ence in practical affairs.
3, Instead. according to the Johnson
faction. this Is what should be done:
Appoint committee Of three from
the American League, three from the
National League and three from the
minor leagues. Let them act as
JOINT Ol nine anu let tHeTl
work out plan of reorganization
LOYAL FIVE ATTEND.
The directors meeting was attended
by President Johnson. Phil Ball. presi-
dent st. Louis club: Frank J. Navin,
president Detroit Tigers: Clark G.
Griffith. president Washington Sem
ators. and Thomas S Shibc. vice pres
ident Philadelphia Americans.
After the meeting President John
son said he didn't think the action
of his faction meant war.
-'"f~think we're offering the other
clubs a feasible plan. It's their
move
Johnson indicated he wants TO re-
organize the game, but along the
lines his experience dictates. The
big play OF the Johnson faction is
to the minors.
1t now remains to be seen whether
the Lasker plan advocates will force
the issue. The matter will come to a
head November 8. On that date there
will be a joint session of the other
three American League clubs and the
eight National League clubs. They
had served notice on Johnson's "loyal
flve'' either to come in on their plan
of reorganization by November ! or
stay out. Their attitude now is. ac-
cording to an official of the White
Sox, that iii the Lasker plan was
good enough for eleven major league
clubs it ought to have been good
enough for the other i've
EAGER TO CLEAN UP GAMN.
The Johnsonites explained that they
were as eager as the other faction to
clean up the national game, adding:
The thing that will stop gambling
i'm baseball is the certainty. speed and
severity of punishment melted out to.
those who sell games or do the gam.
bling. In the last analysis the most
powerful influence to cope with such
an evil will not be found in any ma
:ional commission, but in the presi-
dents and managers Of the respective
ball clubs"
And while the magnates were argu-
ing the best means to govern base
ball and eliminate crookedness. the
Cook county criminal court was re-
turning formal indictments charging
eight White Sox players and FIVE
; others with conspiracy and operating
q confidence game in the fixing Of the
1919 world series.
The players named were Edward Y.
Cicotte, Claude Williams, Joe Jack
Son, Oscar Felsch, Fred McMullen.
Arnold Gandil, George Weaver and
charles Risberg. The gamblers were
William Burns. q former pitcher; Hal
Chase, once prcmier first baseman:
Joseph J. C'rSport") Sullivan, Rachel
Brown, and Abe Attell, former fcath-
erweight champion
The indicted men must furnish bail
Of $4,000 each