Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-12-13
IN AGREEMENT
CONTINUED from Pace Ons)

| NSOHtinueo from rage 0u0j
tional and American Leagues and the
other between the two major leagues
and the National Association of Pro-
fessional Baseball Leagues, the minor
league organization.
\ Action on the agreement between
the two major leagues will be taken
at their annual meetings that of the
National League on Tuesday in this
city and the American League at Chi
cago Friday. The agreement between
I the major leagues and the minor
leagues will be acted upon in a refer
endum and will be submitted to each
OF the " leagues in the association.
The latter will hold a meeting at Chi
cago on January 10 to take the final
action as an association and on ign
nary II there will be a joint ratifica-
ton meeting at Chicago to be particle
pated in by the National and Am
1rican Leagues and the National
Association.
r The most important controversial
I:"int IN the proposed agreement be-
sen the major and the minor
aEu,s was that relating to the draft
n:a - players>from one league by an
isacr Of higher classification. The
Htl..t was not definitely settled by the
>p.ctGittees because of the known oA-
;.tst!on of the American Association
;''.d the International League to the
restoration of the draft.
IN order TO make progress toward
the completion of the New National
agreement the joint committee ac-
copied provision that the draft be
optional. The clause would permit
the drafting of players by the major
leagues only for those lower leagues
that favor such operation, but any
minor leagues that reject the PROPOSE
ton will be permitted to draft players
for leagues of lower classification.
! The agreement between the Ma
tional and American Leagues desig-
mates the title of Judge Lands as.
commissioner. In outlining his duties
the agreement places upon him the
task of investigating either upon
complaint or upon his own initia-
tive any act or practice, alleged or
suspected to be detrimental to the
best interests of the national game of
baseball, with authority to summon
persons and to order the production
of documents" Provision is made for
imposing penalties for refusal to
comply with the commissioners or
ders in such cases.
Il After investigations the com
missioner shall determine what pre-
Ventative remedial or punitive ac-
ton shall be taken either against
major leagues, major league clubs or
individuals, as the case may be. In
the event that major league or ma
jor club be found guilty of conduct
detrimental to the game the COM
missioner may impose a fine not to
exceed $4,000 and in the case of a
club, punishment may be extended to
include temporary deprivation of
representation in joint meetings I'M
der the agreement. In the case of an
official or employe of a major league
or major league club the punishment
may extend to suspension or removal
and player may be declared by the
commissioner temporarily or per-
rnanently ineligible to play with anw
club which is party to the agree
ment.
In cases where organizations or
individuals not parties to the agree
ment are found guilty of conduct
detrimental to the game, the commits
sioner is authorized to pursue ap-
propriate legal remedies.
The term of the commissioner ia
fixed at seven years and he shall be
eligible to succeed himself. His sak-
airy is fixed at $4,000 a year,
Judge Lands is officially named as
first commissioner in the agreement
and it is provided that upon the ex-
! piration of his term or in the event
that the Office shall become vacant
for any reason, his successor shall be
named by a vote of the majority of
the clubs composing the two major
leagues. Failing to naS1e commits
sioner within three months. either
. major league may request the presi-
dent of the United States to desig-
nate commissioner and the person
so designated shall become the COM
missioner with the same effect as
provided for in the agreement.
An advisory council is provided for
" SohoASI VI tHC commissioner ana
the presidents Of the two major
leagues. In case of a division of
opinion within the council the deci-
sion of the commissioner in all cases
shall be final.
To the advisory council is dele
gated the power of making the rules
to govern the world series, regulate
contracts and determine the rela-
tionship between players and clubs.
and between clubs and clubs in all
cases. which concern players or
their contracts.
The commissioner is authorized
to appoint a secretary-treasurer, to
hold Office at the pleasure of the ad-
visory council. His salary is to be
fixed by the council. subject to the
approval of the major leagues.
Any rules submitted by the advis-
DRY council and accepted by the
major leagues shall be binding upon
them and shall not be amended ex-
cept by concurrent action of both
leagues.
The commissioner is authorized to
preside at all joint meetings and in
controversial matters each league
shall have one vote and the commits
sioner shall cast the deciding vote.
from which there shall be no an.
peal, Joint meetings NAV IA colIod