Evening star., 1920-01-04
REBELS CAN HOLD
| UP PLAYING DATES
Local Stockholders to Meet
I; Tuesday-League Session
J. May Be January II.
ELlERBE ACCEPTS TERMS
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ELLERBE ACCEPTS TERMS
e. BY DENMAN THOMPSON.
= Just to emphasize the fact that there
is no danger of their being voted INTO
oblivion without struggle, ana 10
prove that they are overlooking nc
bets. the American League insurgents
have uncovered new weapon for pos
sible use against Ban Johnson and MS
loyal supporters. 1t was brought TO
light by Business Manager Sparrow OF
the Yankees and by its use the New
York, Boston and Chicago clubs could
prevent the adoption of playing
schedule for this year and, they con-
tend, compel the league to suspend
operations for 1920.
: Rebels Must Approve Dates.
This weapon is clause in the con-
stitution which provides that although
the playing schedule shall be drawn
by the president, it shall not become
effective until, or unless IT is ratihed
by three fourths of the club members
of the league. The negative votes
would cause the rejection of any
schedule submitted by Johnson at the
February meeting of the league. and
although the league executive to date
has maintained ascendancy through
the backing of five loyal owners he
cannot obtain ratification of play.
sng schedule without the consent OF
7he rebels.
However it is unlikely that john
son or his adherents will do much
worrying on this score. for the sim
s.. pie reason that it is as much to the
interest of the insurgents as the op-
posing faction to adopt a schedule
If the New York, Boston and Chicago
e. clubs wanted to prevent the adop-
ton of a playing schedule including
them they would not have to wait for
the February meeting to vote 1t down.
They could get out of the league now
-secede-and therebDlost their fran
chises and players. Needless TO say.
they never have contemplated any
such foolhardy move; in fact. have
announced that no one can drive them
out. So this weapon" may be SAID
to bear striking resemblance to a toy
pistol.
GrfM May Visit Cincinnati.
Clark Griffith now is busy prepar-
ing for the annual meeting of the
stockholders of the Washington ball
club to be held in his office next
sTuesday. At this session the retiring
president, Benjamin S. Minor, and the
other outgoing officers of the CLUB
will submit their reports for the year.
fthe books will be open for inspection
sto all having a financial interest in
sthe property, and the installation of
= the new officers of the club ac-
complished- This latter procedure
will be nothing more than formality,
-Griffith as president-manager and w.
an. Richardson as vice president ana
Treasurer owning practically four
,fifths of all the stock.
Aside from Gene Cochran, who, with
sless than 1000 shares. is the only own
- er of securities of any amount to hold
sover from the old regime, excepting
sGriffith, there probably are not more
than a dozen other stockholders, each
.with blocks of about 200 shares Many
-of these latter ultimately Will relln-
rquish their holdings. ALI will be af-
.forded the opportunity.
Z Griffith may attend the annual meet
Jng of the national commission in Gin
sCinnati next Thursday He has some
sInatterS in connection with the list OF
Nationals and Reds to talk over with
SBusiness Manager Bancroft of Cincin-
matt.
Z League May Meet January IL.
s There is an impression prevalent
Chat the adjourned meeting of the
SAmerican League will shortly be
Sailed to be held in Chicago Monday.
xganuary Il. and if it develops that
hhis is to be the date Griffith surely
1vill go to Cincinnati and remain over
IN the west for the league conclave
(which. in addition to affording the
anagnates another chance to patch up
the warfare that is gripping the
league, may give the Nationals chief
Gain another opportunity to swing a
Trade.
Announcement of the commission
meeting next Thursday, issued yester-
day in Cincinnati and supplementing
.fhat made in Chicago by Ban Johnson,
Is significant in regard to the refer
once made to Hermann and the
craftsmanship. The dispatch, as trans
Emitted by the Associated Press. said:
+ Hermann in his annual report to
ha off a the noaafiDR will pYnTaSS
shis Willingness to relinquish the chair
1nanship as soon as successor can be
found"
i With the joint committee picked
no prospect of it doing so until the
row between Johnson and the insur-
gents settled it probably will be
many moons before "a successor can
be found" and in the meantime Garry
will continue as chairman.
ElIerbe Accepts Terms.
Griffith had nothing to announce
sesterday in the way of dates for the
transforming tour in the. south, nor
was he prepared to say who would
be placed in charge of the concessions
1t the ball park next season, other
than that it would be "a, local man
0nder the immediate direction of the
club. but he did have one choice
morsel of information for the fans
that Frank El1erbe has accepted
terms for 1920 and is sure to be on
the job bright and early when the
players assemble for roll call at
Tampa
There was some question as to
whether Ellerbe would continue in
professional base ball Ellerbe is am
bilious to become a farmer on big
scale He is well equipped with both
practical and technical knowledge for
the task He said last season he was
willing to defer entering upon this
career if he could obtain a big league
berth and his decision TO play indi-
Gates he is confident he is goins to
make good with the Nationals. He has
written to President Griffith from
J.atta, s. c., where he is wintering,
that the terms offered him are salts
factory and that he Will sign a con-
tract as soon as he receives it.