Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-11-09
IL CLUB OWNERS
MAKE STATEMENT

20 the american tupllC
The IL clubs which were signatory
TO the resolution adopted at a meeting
IN Chicago on October IS met accord
;Eg to the call OF the resolutions this
morning.
Mr.. Clark Grifith, and subsequently
Attorney George W. Miller. represent
ing the director of the American
League. addressed the meeting. stat
ing that the FIVE dissenting American
League clubs would not attend joint
session of club owners where MAORI
ty rule in inter-club affairs would
prevail.
They proposed that the five dissent
ing clubs appoint a committee of three
10 meet with like committees to rep
resent the National League for the
purpose of subsequently, meeting o
committee of three from the minor
leagues to draft plan for the recr-
ganization of baseball.
These II signatory owners stood
on the fundamental principle that un-
der the old system of inter-league af-
fairs. being controlled by league
votes. selfshness and politics had
orept in the game. resulting in scan
dals on the playing field AMI that in
all matters that were not strictly
league affairs clubs should vote indi-
vidually so that their responsibilities
to their constituents and their local
public could be marked
For several hours the eleven club
owners pleaded with Messrs. Grit
fifth and Miller to bring the other four
members who were holding out into
the meeting. 1t was made plain that
the whole object of the joint meet
ing of the owners was that baseball
be reconstructed on such a high plane
as TO merit public confidence and
that a control of baseball be estab-
lished of men of such calibre as to
command public respect.
1T was emphasized that each club
would have one vote and that the
suggestions Of each club would be
fully considered. 1t was felt by the
eleven owners that SO long as the
leagues voted as leagues. the selfish
interests of each league would be
paramount in inter-league affairs and
that 1t was only by unselfishness in
inter-league affairs. with no advan-
tage to any league or club. that the
control of baseball could be put on an
altruistic and impartial basis.
The five dissenting clubs were
given until four O'Clock to appear in
the meeting but failing TO be pres
ent. the eleven signatories proceeded
with the formation of twelve club
league. as provided by the resolutions
of October IS. This league will be
known as the New National League
and John A. Heydler will continue as
president, secretary and treasurer.
The teams comprising the league
are the Boston Braves, Boston Red
Sox, Brooklyn Chicago (Cubs), Gin
cinnati. Chicago White Soa. New
York Giants, New York Yankees.
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and St.
Louis.
1T was agreed that the twelfth
club should be the first of the Ave
dissenting American League clubs
who would apply for membership
railing TO receive such application
within a reasonable time. a twelfth
club is 10 be established by the new
National League and it is not the
intention that minor leagues terri
tory be invaded.
THE meeting then proceeded to re-
affirm its acceptance of the Lasker
plan of baseball reorganization
which. with all notifications, was
formally accepted, the chief modiffca-
tions being that the minor leagues
should be requested and permitted to
choose an associate member of the
Board of Control
Honorable Kenesaw Mountain
Lands. judge of the District court of
the United States for Chicago, was
unanimously rendered the position of
chairman of Control for a term of
seven years at an annual salary of
$50. 900. A committee waited upon
Judge Lands to tender him the po-
sition. which tender. after an extern
sive conversation with Judge Lands.
he now has under consideration.
- The Lasker plan, provides for the
appointment OF two associated menu
bers of the Board of Control. neither
of which was elected A committee
from the meeting has gone to Kan
sas City 10 tender the minors an op-
portunity to elect candidates of their
own choosing as associate members
for the six-year term! The third
member, whose term will he five
years. was not chosen pending Judge
Lands acceptance Of the chairman
ship of the Board of Control.
The committee which went to
Kansas City to inform the minor
league meeting of the action OF the
New National League. consists of
Garry Ierrman. chairman: Barney
Dreyfuss and Charles Fl. Ebbetts,
The same committee with the addi
ton of Colonel Jacob Rupert. is to
serve as a drafting committee with
a like number. TO be appointed by the
minors. the chairman of which
drafting committee is to be the
chairman of the boar dof control.
The duties of the drafting com
mittee will be to formulate the or
ganic law under which baseball. in
inter-league affairs, and in all dis
puted matters with players. shall
operate. The organic law will also
provide for complete supervision of
the ethics of the game, both on the
part OF owners and players, by the
board Of control.
1T is hoped and believed by the
members of the New National Lea
que that the high character of the
chairman OF the hoard of oaufroI -, ~