New-York tribune., 1920-11-07
Ball Magnates
Meet tODecide
ate of Game
Continuation of Baseball
Along Former Lines Is
Strictly Up 10 Johnson
By w. !. Macbeth


at least of the immediate future-will
be determined. Whether the game is
to continue to operate along the gem
eral lines that have prevailed for eight
cen years, i. e., two eight-club major
league circuits with an annual cham
pionship series between the two respec-
tive pennant winners for the champion
ship Of the world, is strictly up to Ban
Johnson and his five supporters Of the
American League who so far have held
aloof from the majority Of major
league club presidents who seek
speedy and radical reform in the gov
ernment Of the game.
Eleven major league club presidents
ofs the sixteen operating-all eight OF
the National League and New York,
Chicago and Boston Of the American
League-have signed n solemn cove
nant that they will stand or fall to-
gether on some radical plan of reform.
These men personally indorse the Las
ker plan of reformation.
The Lasker plan suggests board OF
control of three men of nationwide
repute and integrity, in nowise inter
ested financially in baseball, to sup
plant the National Commission, which
has died of dry rot because there has
been no head to the triumvrate since
August Hermann resigned as chair
man, almost year ago. These eleven
suggest that each of the major leagues
! name one of the board of three and
that the minor leagues name the other
the body to govern all baseball, MI
nor as we'll as major.
But the eleven are open both to con-
viction and suggestion. They have IN
vited Mr.. Johnson and his five loyal
supporters to meet in common council
in Chicago tomorrow to discuss tie
best plans for baseball reform. If the
minority in opposition can suggest
more feasible or reasonable system
said suggestion would be welcomed
with open arms. The eleven are not
looking for trouble. But they are pre-
pared for trouble.
Counter Proposal Rejected
At q special meeting Of the board
of directors of the American League
subsequent to the eleven's indorse-
ment Of the Lasker plan a counter
proposition of reform was suggested.
This was that each of the two major
leagues and the minor leagues should
name committees of three to meet
the remedy of existing baseball govern
ment. But the American League ma
jority gave no hint that it interded
to meet with the eleven at Chicago to-
"Hla'~i John K + HeydlsT, yES,S'o Of Il the Natonal
League.
Indeed, if Ban johnson is quoted cor
rectly from the Windy City. he and
his loyal five will not meet the eleven
Mr.. Johnson has called special meet
ing of his circuit for 8 o'clock sharp
tomorrow morning. This meeting will
be attended by representatives of the
so-called revolutionary three Of the
American League. These three will at
tend knowing the steam roller process.
can bind the circuit to any policy the
five may have decided. But the three
viii not let such policy Interfere with
a later attendance at the proposed joint
meeting.
John A. Heydler and the more pacific
element of the National League believe
that little diplomacy Will bring all
sixteen club owners together in gen.
eral conference. At the time the Las
ker plan was ratified by the eleven, an
ultimatum was issued to Ban Johnson
and his loyal five giving them until
November to come in or stand the
consequences. Mr.. johnson did not
reply directly to this ultimatum. But
as he forwarded the scheme adopted
by his board of directors. and as he
called a special meeting of his league
at the time end place Of the proposed
interleague meeting, the majority of
the eleven took these moves as signiti-
cant. 1t is generally believed that the
existing breach will be bridged rather
than widened.
May BE Left in Cold
But it is known that the eleven will
stand for no more triling. If Ban
Johnson and his five refuse point
blank to sit in with the other eleven
major league magnates to-day for q
discussion of existing baseball prob
lens, then before another twcnty-four
hours the present structure of organ
lied baseball will be shivered to 1t,
foundation Regardless Of the conse-
quences to major and minor leagues
the eleven will launch new twelve
club circuit and leave the other five
in the cold to shift for themselves
These eleven not only command the
capital, but the will to dare.
Any doubt on the subject would have
been dispelled by mingling with
= the band of purposeful major league
1,ma I'D ,,s.s oTners who left on thf
cago yesterday afternoon The part,
included Charles A. Stoneham, John J
McGraw and Magistrate Francis x
: NrNnace. of the Giants; Henry H
0 Frazee and Hugh Duffy, Of the Bosto.
! Red Sox; George W. Grant, of tn.
Braves; William +. Baker, Of the Phil
lies and Charles H. Ebbets. presiden
8 of the champion Dodgers. Withou
exception every one declared There
: would be no backing water.
? These men hope to work in harmon,
; with Mr.. Johnson and his so far dis
2 senting five. They wish only serious
pledge from those who have hele
, aloof But they will not brook unnec
essary delay. They will scorn an,
2 scheme to throw reform upon the SLOW
: proc les of committee, realizing tht
, futilty Of any committee functionin,
b after the sad experiences of the pas
:: two years, in which the Nationa
; League committee has been thwarted il
l. its endeavors to appoint a successor I,
,. the craftsmanship of the National Com
;. mission, resigned by August Hermann
= Hope to Enlist Minors
y The eleven hope to be able to enlis
;. on their side the sympathy of the Ma
;; tional Association, or great family o
- :, minor leagues. For that purpose the,
!. will visit the annual meeting Of tn,
g. minor leagues at Kansas City on Tues
=. day or Wednesday to discuss with then
- the Lasker plan in detail.
{; With the minors, as with the dissent
j.; ing FIVE, the eleven will be prepared t.
> give or take great deal so long as tn
:. main purpose is accomplished. Th
1yrDoco ;c ropnipa T.