New-York tribune., 1920-01-11
New Chairman
OF Commission
May End Feud
Magnates Prepare for Gold
oen Harvest Next Season;
Little Fellows Repentant
By w. ]. Macbeth

Inc resignation OF August hermann
as chairman of the National Commits
sion should go far toward establish
ing, harmony in organized baseball
His withdrawal cannot greatly affect
the private quarrel in the American
League, though even there his Office
was side issue. The chief fight of
Colonels Rupert and Huston, Charles
A. Comiskey and Harry H. Frazee will
continue to center through the law
courts on President Ban Johnson, of
the American League.
In the mean time organized baseball
as a7whole should be able to embrace
the opportunity of rebuilding its
broken down fences so as to make
the most of the opportunities for
golden harvest in 1920. Whatever per-
sonal sentiment may be. 1T cannot be
denied that minor and major league
baseball must dovetail in order to ef
feet the maximum of progress.
Major league baseball depends upon
minor for the development of material,
as the colleges and semi-pro organiza-
tiops could not begin to supply the
market. The minor leagues are like
wise dependent on the big fellows for
a market for their wares. The sale Of
play cSPcCidlIy III tuC AOAC OOoSu4C
classes, is as essential to minor pro-
motion as compactness of circuit.
The season of 1919 proved the ban
ner one of all history for the major
leagues, despite the fact that the
schedules were pared from 154 to 14O
games. So much cannot be said for
the minors. The Class AA and Class A
CIRCUITS had a most prosperous year
and seem in line for another one the
p,,% {ko Fol1
suffered. They suffered from their
own folly, or from their shortsighted
ness in allowing the big minors to
talk them into having the national
agreement between major and minor
baseball abrogated year ago.
~ Minors Regret Action
The little minor leagues were led
to believe that draft by major league
clubs was rank injustice 1t was
pointed out to them that if the draft
was removed jors would be forced
to purchase desired chattels at prices
far in excess of the prevailing draft
scales. They were also led to believe
that farming" out Of major, league
worked to the disadvantage of the
smaller leagues. So, at the solicita-
ton of the minors, the working agree
ment of sixteen years standing was
suspended last winter.
As bait to the little fellows, the
more powerful of the minor circuits
entered into family agreement where
by much higher scale of draft prices
was arranged, the Glass AA and Class
A leagues intimating that they would
relieve the, "sticks" of the promising
talent that previously found its way
into the major nav. This was excel
lent in theory. but in theory only.
The big minors did no drafting to
speak OF, for the simple reason that
their demands could be supplied from
the cast-offs of the major leagues. At
destroyed. 1t was an excellent ar
rangement for the higher classes Of the
minor leagues, but death blow to the
little fellows.
At the annual meeting Of the Ma
tional Association of Minor Leagues,
held in Springfield, Mass, two months
ago, it was clearly established that
minor league baseball in general would
suffer dire consequences If promotion
were to continue as under 1919 handi-
caps The small minor leagues assert
ed themselves and made the larger ones
agree to renew a working agreement
with the majors, if such thing were
possible.
.aa Would Accept Any Scale
A committee was appointed to nego-
tiate with the respective major leagues
ard with the National Commission. 1t
= isf hoped by the minors to secure the
best possible terms-i. e.. draft scale
that now prevails among the minors
But it is the desire of the minors tt
reestablish relations under almost any
terms.
This minor league committee ha:
been stranded ever since 1t was ap
pointed. Until Hermann resigned thu
craftsmanship of the National Commits
sion there appeared neither head no
tail to the Triumvirate. The majorit.
of club owners of the National Leagu
were antagonistic to Herrmann's hold
ing the craftsmanship, and so also ap
peared the revolutionary faction of tn
American League. 1t was Impossible
fof any steps of conciliation on tn
part of the MINOR leagues.
Now, however. there appears ever
prospect of a new working agreemen
between the major and minor league
being effected at the annual join
schedules meeting Of the National an
American leagues at Chicago. whic
VIII open February II. BY the tim
TSf~~>arn is ready to step down ther
is little doubt the joint committees c
tse.~ major leagues will have made sal
isfactory arrangements for a chairma
who, Will meet win universal inaoIss
ment. Indeed, it is not beyond the lin
of possibility that the creation of
new agreement will develop somethin
broader than ever before attempted.
Baseball has outgrown condition
that prevailed in 1908, when tn
original peace agreement was ratife'
All branches of organized baseba
should be more closely allied tina
ever, gefore. Certain radicals both
major and minor league baseball bt
lieye the best interests of the gam
would be served through one govern
ing body Of the whole sport. Such
= new commission, if attempted, would {
course call for representation fc
the minor leagues and possibly fc
the players as we'll 1t is matter ths
wp be given careful thought at tn
jds1s meeting bf the two major league