New-York tribune., 1920-11-13
lands Once Semi-Pro:
knoms Games s AGairs
When Youth He Refused to
Turn Professional: Presided
in Famous 1914 Dispute

CHICAGO, Nov. u. j Judge K N
Lands, who to-day became the head Of
organized baseball, is a national figure
as a result OF the important cases he
has passed upon. His wit and sarcasm
sometimes humorous and sometimes
caus.ic-which he directs at prisoners
and counsel from his bench, have made
him famous.
Baseball always has been one Of his
hobbies. In the little town OF Logans-
port, Ind, where he was reared, the
judge played on amateur and semi
professional teams, and his brilliant
playing brought him many offers TO
turn professional, but he always de-
clined, saying he played merely for
sport and love Of the game
Il. 1914 Judge Lands presided in The
legal battle which resulted from the
greatest baseball war in history
fight OF the Federal Iea~ue against the
National and American leagues. The
Judge never rendered decision in the
case, however, for it was settled out
of court while he was still forming has
official opinion. While studying the
case the judge spent many hours look
ing into baseball history, the National
agreement and other documents giving
information concerning baseball. The
hllDW 4tuSS dOtlNAItQ O4I4iS Att4S HrI-OQ
made him legal authority on the ad
ministration Of the games affairs.
Seldom Misses World Series
Judge Lands attends many major
league games here every year and sell
dom misses world series At the an
nual fall classic he generally may be
found in box back Of third base, his
old. black slouch hat pulled down cver
!,
black cape falling from mis- shoulders.
He never talks during game, hat
studies every play closely and enjoys
analyzing the strategy used by the op-
posing players. One OF his hobbies at
a game is TO try TO guess the next play.
Judge Lands was born in Mllvllle,
Ohio, November 80, 1865. and was
named for Kenesaw Mountain, near Az
lanta, Ga, where his father was wound
ed IN the Civil War. He first became
nationally prominent when he aned the
Standard OIL Company 29.240,o 600 after
forcing John y. Rockefeller to come
mere to testify. His decision was re-
versed by the Appellate Court, however.
Presided at /. W W. Trial
During the World War he presided
a the famous l. W. ". trial, sentenc-
.ug Big Bill' Haywood, secretary
Treasurer OF the organization, and
ninety-two other members to prison.
Shortly afterward an explosion n the
Federal building killed several persons.
but the judge was uninjured. He also
sentenced Congressman Victor Berger
70 prison for alleged obstruction Of the
nations war preparations
Judge Lands drew Congressional a.
tention shortly after the var He
found that most of the lawyers appear
ing before him who were wearing wrist
watches had not been in the service
Have all these wrist-watch lawyers
file . statement stating what branch Of
the service they were H." he ordered
his clerk.
Senator Thomas, os Colorado. in an
address IN the Senate, said Judge Ian
dis should be impeached for his order
The judge 5 only comment was: Don't
i beat the devil what some Senator'S
VIII do TO pass the time away >"
Judge Lardis's caustic hrmorocc
verbal attacks from ,he bench are di-
rected at men in ali stations 81 life
One day he scathingly denonnces a
corporation and the next day symDa-
tnizes with and helps some unfortunate
prisoner brought before him. HIS
faVorite expression is: Take this man
I'D to Mahel's room"-the jail-or
Take him TO Room 33 and give HIM
the eaSv cnairn