Evening star., 1920-01-04
ADMITS ALL ARB[TERS ERR,
{. BUT SAYS FAIRNESS RULES
Official Asserts Essential Qualifications Are
Good Eyesight, Keen Judgment, Common
/. Sense and Plenty of Nerve.

series in Chicago. The day previous
had been a rather strenuous one for
me. so l dropped down to President
Johnson's office to inform him of the
happenings. thinking perhaps he
might regard "A suspension as neces-
sary for a couple of the athletes.
What do you hear about Umpire
SO and So?" asked President john
son.
II haven't seen him work. but have
heard he is doing fine. He doesn't t
seem to be having any trouble"
cant understand it, said Mr..
Johnson. Something is wrong. No
new umpire can come to the Ameri-
can League and work three months
without having some trouble. with
out putting "A single player out of the
game, unless he is letting the players
get away with something. ! would
regard his chances more favorable if
he were chasing a few players now
and then" President JohnSon's size
up OF the situation was about right
The umpire who was having his
trouble breaking in is still with the
American League-the other fellow is
back in the minors.
President johnson knows his umpres
make mistakes. They are merely hu-
man. therefore not infallible. He only
asks of his men. that they so express
themselves to him when they believe
tnty are WTonS. he OOeSU WANT dfiS
umpire to try to cover up his short
coming,s a the expense of the player.
have often rendered decision that
had an important bearing on the re-
suit of a game. MY ruling would
create a kick on the part of one
team. In many cases on afterthought
it has seemed to me possibly I had
erred. At such times l try to place
myself in the position of the player.
because he is probably making the
same protest that l would. Despite
my efforts to see the play from the
angle of the player, l often find it
necessary to put one or more players
a disciplinary measure. In making
my report of such situation to
President Johnson ! have frankly
stated missed the play. or that there
was chance that l might have been
in error. Perhaps l have suggested
that no further action be taken in the
matter. On the other hand, if l am
positive 1 am right I say so en-
phatically. If l believe indefinite
suspension is coming to the player 1
request it.
Only Plain Truth Is Wanted.
President Johnson simply wants a
plain and truthful statement of fact.
They tell a story about an umnire
which bears out the stress Mr.. John
sun lays ON an dDSOlutelN correct re-
port. Several years ago a promising
minor league umpire was given a
chance in the majors. For a time he
got along swimmingly. One day Pres
ident Johnson witnessed a game in
the city in which the recruit was
working. His coming was unan-
nounced. No one knew he was at
the game. A rather complicated sit
uation came up. and the ruling of
the umpire didn't meet with general
favor or approval. President john
son was eyewitness. and not even
minor detail is overlooked by him at
a game He left for Chicago that
evening. The next day he received
the umpire's report. The statement
didn't agree with the impressions
formed by President Johnson. He was
inclined to believe the umpire in
error; the umpire's report in no way
gave that impression. The umpire's
version was all in his favor. A few
weeks later. rumor had it, the umpire
was dismissed because Mr.. Johnson
did not regard his report as one on
which an honest decision could have
been reached by him.
Copyright. 1920. by W. G. Evans.)