Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-13
MAJOR LEAGUERS
Agree ON TERMS
Tentative Draft of New National
Baseball Agreement Is
Adopted

representatives of the major and minor
leagues, changing the constitution of
"the national game
The proposals agreed upon at meet
ing marked by harmony must be ac-
cepted by plenary sessions Of the leagues
involved before they become the law
governing the sport. The belief pre-
vailed generally that ratification is
merely a matter Of form.
The National League probably will
act upon the agreement Mt its annual
meeting here tomorrow. Tho, American
League will pass Judgment in Chicago
on Friday. The National Association
of Minor Leagues will hold special
meeting in Chicago on January 10 to
take action.
The draft question is the only i'm
portant clause upon which there Is not
unanimous opinion. The smaller or
ganizations may settle this as they wish
at their Chicago session.
The agreement aS accepted by the
committees was drafted by Judge Kene-
saw, Mountain Lands, George Whar-
ton Pepper, of Philadelphia; John ""n-
way Toole. of New York, and J. G.
Jones, Of st. Louis.
The committee submitted two tenta-
tive agreements, one between the Ma
tiopal and American Leagues. and the
other between the two ma jor leagues
and the National Association of Pro-
fessional Baseball Leagues, the minor
league organization.
Will Meet January 10
The latter will hold meeting a. Chi
cng" On January 10 to take final action
rs an association, and on January -
there will be n joint ratification meeting
Mt Chicago to be participated in by the
National and Amcrican Leagues and
the Na,,pnal Association.
The acceptance Of the tentative draft
Of the new agreement by the joint COM
mittees, however, does not mean
its final adoption, as the respective com
mittees will be obliged to make n re-
port back to their organizations for
ratification.
The agreement between the National
and American Leagues designates the
title of Judge Lands as commissioner.
In outlining his duties. the agreement
places upon him the task of investigat-
ing either upon complaint or upon his
own initiative, any act or practice al
legged or suspected to be detrimental to
the best interests of the national game
of baseball with authority to summon
persons and to order the production OF
documents. Provision is made for i'm
posing penalties for refusal to comply
with the commissioner orders in such
cases.
May Impose $4,000 Fine
After investigations the commissioner
shall determine what preventive, reme-
dial or punitive action shall be taken
either against major leagues, major
league clubs or individuals. as the case
may be. In the event that a ma jor
league or major league club be found
guilty of conduct detrimental to the
game the commissioner may impose
fine not to exceed $4,000. and in the
case of club punishment may be ex
tended to include temporary deprivation
OF representation in joint meetings held
under the agreement.
In the case of an official or cmploye
of q majo league or major league cub
the punishment may extend to suspen
sion or removal, and player may be
declared by the commissioner tempor-
arily or permanently ineligible to play
with any club which is party to the
agreement.
In cases where organizations or indi-
viduals not parties to the agreement are
found guilty of conduct detrimental to
the game the commissioner is authorized
to pursue appropriate legal remedies.
The term of the commissioner is fixed
at seven years and he shall be eligible
to succeed himself. His salary is fixed
at $40. 900 per year.
Judge Lands is officially named as
first commissioner in the agreement
and it Is provided that upon the eX-
piration of his term or in the event that
the Office shall become vacant from any
reason, his successor shall be named
by a vote of the ma jority of the clubs
composing the two majo leagues.
Failing to name commissioner
within three months, either major
league may request the President of the
United States to designate Il commits
sioner, and the person so designated
shall become the commissioner with the
same effect as provided for in the
agreement.
An advisory council is provided for to
consist of the commissioner and the
presidents of the two major leagues.
In case of a division of opinion within
the council the decision of the com
missioner In all cases shall be final.
To the advisory council is delegated
the power of making the rules to govern
the world series, regulate contracts,
and determine the relationship between
players and clubs, and between clubs
and clubs in all cases which concern
players or their contracts.
ANY rules submitted by the advisory
council and accepted by the major
leagues shall be binding upon them and
shall not be amended except by con-
current action of both leagues.
The commissioner is authorized TO
preside at all joint meetings ana Ia cVm-
troyersial matters each league shan
have one vote and the commissioners
shall cast the deciding vote, from which
there shall be no appeal. Joint meet
ings may be called by the commissioners
or at the request of the president OF
either major league:
1t il provided that the expenses of
the advisory council, including the
salaries Of the commissioners and the
secretary treasurer, shall be paIu py the
major leagues except to the extent
that funds sufficient for the purpose arc
derived from games conducted under
the auspices of the councll.
May Not Resort to Court
In the clause binding the two leagues
and their constituent clubs to the
rulings of the commissioner and the
discipline imposed by him under the
agreement, the leagues and the clubs
severally waive the right of recourse
to the courts as would otherwise have
existed in their favor. 1t is also pro-
yidcd that the contracts pruwrrn luc
leagues and their officers. employees and
players shall contain clause by which
they agree TO submit themselves to the
discipline of the commissioner.
The agreement Is to remain in force
twenty five years and both leagues agree
that no diminutiOn of the compensation
of powers of the present or succeeding
term of office,
1t was said at the conclusion of the
meeting that the sessions have been the
most harmonious between major and
minor league interests held in several
It,,In 4 l., yin oil hn, q,