Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-11-10
"CZAR" JOHNSON
CONTINUED from PAGE one)

issued a statement declaring that "it
was war to a finish" and that the
American League would place new
clubs in Chicago. New York and Bos-
ton to replace those joining the New
National League.
/ What baseball needs is to get rid
Of some of it's recaicitrant club own
ers" he said.
President johnson of the American
League, in his address chara cterized
A. D. Lasker, of Chicago. sponsor OF
the Lasker Plan for baseball re-or-
ganization, as "one who has not shed
his swaddling clothes in baseball and
declared that the minors should not
show any Partially to either side in
the major league dispute.
The American League does not
come here with the thought of asking
you to carry any of our burdens,
President Johnson said. "It must be
clear to You that you should pursue
central course showing no favor or
Partially to either" =
There is a question as to whether
there will be any. serious difficulties
to adjust. but l believe my position
should be made clear. 1 think you
should have equal representation on
the National Board and that you
should have equal power with the
American and National League. We
can offer you no more at this time.
have been authorized by our board OF
directors to request you to appoint a
committee of three to meet commit
tee of the same number from the Ma
tional and American Leagues to re-
organize the game and all the differ
ences should be swept aside in view
of the serious condition that confronts
baseball.
1T is my thought that baseball
should remain in the hands of men
who have given their lives to its
development
You e. are the men who should
qualified to do the work than any one
outside of baseball. l have been eau
toned not to talk too much but
want to say that l do not approve OF
| the Lasker plan devised by one who
has shed his swaddling clothes in
baseball How can such an individual
direct the affairs of the game or its
reformation?"
1t was the first time in the history
| If baseball that Pres. Johnson has ap-
peared before a minor league conven-
| ton.
President Johnson declared that he
was in favor of granting the minor
leagues equal representation on the
nofinnol 6 sim
sharing equal power with American
and National Leagues.
The American League executive
said the management of baseball
should remain in the hands of men who
have given their lives to It's develop
ment. declaring they were better
qualified to cleanse the sport of it's
crookednsss than anyone outside Of
the game. He declared his opposition
to the Lasker plan ana urged the minor
leaSuers to remain neutral in the ma
jor league fight If they decided not
to endorse the proposal to appoint a
representative committee in an effort
to bring about harmony.
The minor !eaguers adjourned with
out taking any action or the recon-
mendations Of the American League
officials but the sentiment prevailed
tonight that the Lasker plan would
receive no consideration from the mi.
nors at this time. August Hermann.
owner Of the Cincinnati Nationals and
former chairman of the National Com
mission. will address the minor
leaguers tomorrow. and explain the
stand of the proponents of the Lasker
plan.