The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-30

or by whatever name that body may be
called.
Seconds we read the resolutions
adopted the underlying idea OF the
sponsors for the So-cal led Lasky plan
seems to be the creation Of commission
composed of eminent citizens who have
no connection whatsoever with baseball.
except as they may be patrons of the
sport. The names which have thus far
been suggested by the sponsors for the
plan, according to the press. are OF men
who have heretofore had n0 experience
In the management or conduct OF pase-
ball. and the wisdom OF permitting men
inexperienced in practical baseball ar
fairs, no matter how eminent they may
be. to be empowered to take over even
temporarily under any circumstances
the management of baseball properties in
which large sums of money have been
invested Is gravely doubtful.
THE so-called plan of reorganization
has apparently been precipitated by rea-
son Of the gambling exposures, particu-
larly the throwing Of games by players.
and the idea of the sponsors or the So
called Ilasky plan seems to be that the
evil in baseball can be entirely avoided
In the future by the creation of such
commission We have no confidence In
such a commission being any more able
to stamp out gambling than the National
Commission has been: indeed. we DO not
believe that such commission could De
as effective in stamping out gambling as
commission composed or practicai
baseball men who understand the game
in all It's details and know intimately the
history of all its players.
"If baseball games have been thrown
In the past. as all now know they have
been in one series. 1t has been due to
the inherent disposition of the players
who have sold themselves to the gam
blers. The thing that will stop gambling
in baseball is the certainty speed and
severity of the punishment meted out to
those who sell games or do the gam
bling. In the last ANALYSIS the most
powerful influence to cope with such an
evil will not be found in any national
commission but in the presidents and
managers OF the respective ball clubs.
without their active and honest coopera-
ton no national commission can stop
gambling In baseball. With their ear
nest. energetic and active cooperation
gambling can either be entirely elimi-
mated or reduced to as low an ebb as Is
possible in any sport.
New Suggestion Submitted.
I'VE recognize. however that there is
a strong feeling prevalent among thu
public in favor of some reorganization
and the American League will be glad
TO cooperate in a feasible and practical
way to that end. We, therefore, submit
the following suggestions
I'VE propose that the American
League shall appoint a committee OF
three, that n like committee be APP
pointed by the National League. and
a like committee by the National AS
ISOLATION of Professional Baseball
Leagues (minor leagues). and that
these three committees. acting as n
joint committee of nine, work out a
plan of reorganization which will give
due consideration not only to the
major leagues, but to the minor
leagues as well, this plan Of reorgani- .
cation 70 be reported back to the Ma
tional League, the American League
and the National Association (mnor
leagues) for approval or disapproval
by each respective organization. Our
thought. of course. is that IL upon
consideration of this plan either of
the major leagues or the National
Association of Professional Baseball
Leagues (minor leagues) or any or
all of them offer suggestions OF modi-
fication to the plan as worked out by
the committee OF nine the plan may
then go back to that committee with
these suggestions for further consid-
Grafton and report.
I'VE are confident that in this manner
| reorganization may be worked OIL,
| along sane and practical lines. which will
be satisfactory not only TO so-called or.
| ganlzed baseball. and by this expression
we include minor leagues with the major
leagues. but to the public as WE'LL"