New-York tribune., 1920-01-10


yesterday, II had absolutely no per
sonal feeling against Mr.. Hermann
Instead, had the greatest admiration
for his executive ability and for the
fairness with which he administered
the Office for more than sixteen years,
realize, also, that it will be difficult
Tor US to find so competent an official,
because Mr.. Hermann has grown up
with the organization of professional
baseball and is conversant with its
every intricate angle.
"Yet certain club owners of the
American League, the majority Of the
club owners Of the National League
and myself feel and have felt for some
time that the best interests OF base
ball could not be served by having as
chairman of the National Commission
any one directly interested in the pro-
motion Of the game.
Asked to Quit Reds
"Some time ago, before the latest re-
organization of the Cincinnati Ma
tional League Baseball Club, this SEN
timent was pointed out clearly to Mr..
Hermann. He was told that the Of
flee was his for life if he should retire
as president of the Cincinnati club.
He remained president of the Reds,
and l am very glad that he did. for
now he represents a worlds champion
team and a fine investment. and l hope
he continues to prosper every year as
he prospered in 1919 as president of
the Cincinnati Reds"
II believe" said William F. Baker,
president of the Philadelphia National
League Club, "that Mr.. Hermann has
been prompted to act in what he con-
siders to be best for baseball. No
one impugned his qualifications for
the Office nor his innate honesty. But
certain Uf US of the National League
believed it did not become the dignity
of a National League club president
to head q board in which might arise
some question Of great personal inter
est to the club owners he represented.
when the Cincinnati club won the
National League championship" con-
tinued Mr.. Bakers the delicacv Of Mr..
Herrmann's position was magniRed in
our eyes. Now, however, that the way
ceed in their work of selecting a sue
cessor to the chair, the situation be-
gins to clear itself. Much remains to
be done in the interests of baseball
in general before the open ng of an
other season, and the deadlock that
prevailed in the National Commission
Craftsmanship simply blocked all hope
OF favorable legislation. The track is
now cleared; the rest should be easy
Neither Colonel Rupert nor Mr..
Baker would intimate officially the
may have in mind for the commission
Craftsmanship, though both had ad-
,nitted previously that Judge Kenesaw
Mountain Landis, William H. ("Big
Bill'') Edwards, John Conway Toole
and John B. Foster are among lot
Of names that have been suggested.
"It should be easy enough to get
the proper man to fit the Office" said
Colonel Rupert, eff we are only able to
make the Office fit the man. So far
we have been utterly in the dark as
senseless to think that any man IF
great standing would wish to give up
q possible lucrative Office for one that
did not return better salary and one
which assured occupation for not more
than one year.
Question Of Salary
$50 far we have been unable to learn
just how far the two leagues woule
care to go in the matter of salary
These are only few details that must
be forthcoming before we can act. 4
would be an injustice ror US otherwise
to tender the Office to any one."
The crisis in the fight between thu
factions in the American Leagu,
should develop within the next month
Presidents Ban Johnson and John A
Heydler, of the American and Nationa
learues. respectively, have agree,
upon Chicago and February II as tn
place and date for joint meeting OF
schedules between the two majo
leagues. Messrs. johnson and Heyd
1er left Cincinnati Thursday night 70
an obscure winter resort of Louisi
playing dates for 1920. These date
will be revised and corrected unit
mutually satisfactory and then pre-
sented in schedule form for ratifica
tion in Chicago at the annual meet
Ing; n. interim. hou.v.r. II vii, b
neeessary to complete the annual meet
interrupted and adjourned because c
a3- acute development in the fgf
against Mr.. Johnson, shortly after tn
magnates went into session at the Bill
more Hotel. this city. December l
last. 1t was expected that this az
journed meeting would be held in Oh
cago before this time. But 80 far q
tho revolutionists are aware Mr.. Johl
son has as yet issued no call. Tn
meeting must be completed before tn
American League club owners will /
ready to join their National Lcagu
rivals In conference. 1t remains fc
the American League to ratify a nun
Der Of resolutions Of mutual intere.
that were adopted by the Nation,
League et Its annual meeting before tn
contAmplsted business may be presen
I'd to the joint conference.
Negotiations looking toward the q,
Quisition Of Babe Ruth obscured Il
the time the legal entanglements til
battling colonels and their revolution
ary associates are hopeful Of THROWN
about their opponents.
Colonel Rupert declared yesterds
that there had been no let-up in tn
legal cases launched against his adve
saries. The last few days have bee
but the lull before the storm. Th
legal talent Of the Yankees IL warmin
up . battery for the Cleveland gam
which Will open the championshi
schedule Of tie 1920 American Leagu
"lsgsl ssriss."
Magee Given Release
CINCINNATI. Jan. 8. --- Sherwoo