The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-01-05
Lands WILLING
TO Be BASEBALL'S
ARB|TER, HE SAYS
Judge Admits He Would AZ.
Cept If Asked by the Mag
nateS-WOuld Be Ideal Man
for Important Post.


CHICAGO, Jan. Club owners IN
the National and American leagues do
not have to look any farther than
Chicago II they desire a capable man
70 supplant Garry Hermann as chair
man Of the commission. There is a
man here who saved baseball from GO
ihg to the rocks, who knows the game
rem A TO u, who is honest and fear
less aud who has followed the sport
ever Since he was knee-high to a
E|FasShopper. He Is n man who Is
probably more familiar with Lhe work
lngs ot baseball than any other man
not affiliated with a club or league. and
one who probably would be pleased
10 accept the position as chairman Of
the commission II he thought 1t would
save the game from future troubles
and from losing the prestige It now
possesses.
The man referred 10 Is Judge Eene-
saw Mountain Lands, who declared
when told that he was one Of the men
selected by the COMMITTEES appointed
TO find capable individuals from whom
the leagues are to choose that In view
Of the many years he had followed the
sport from the hleachers and elsewhere
around the park, he could not say no"
II properly approached and conditions
were suitable, Baseball men do not
need any more than that to assure
them II they desire "A man Of Lands
national reputation and renown for
honesty and fairness, that he can be Sc
cared.
: Baseball men in the majors have re-
Trained from approaching Judge Lam
dis because Of the uncertain conditions
In the American league, and nothing
can he done until harmony is restored
in that orgaDiZation. MS the club own
ers must meet and decide on the man
thai .u.l.L. a. - 4a- ~. las, - NHHHl Ia
the National league, Members OF the
latter organization are said to be ready
as soon AS their rival organization IL
10 get down To business and pick a man
from those chosen hy the committee,
and It is believed that the majority
Of them IN tho National league are In
favor Of having Lands sit at the head
Of the commission. which probably will
soon undergo u revision.
President Johnson, when told that
Judge Lands seems 10 be in a re-
ceptivc mood, declared he WAS glad 10
hear II and that II he We're selected
10 head the commission lie. would surely
make the men toe the mark, but when
asked II he was in favor Of Lands re-
placing Hermann he declined to com
mil himself, apparently. desiring not
TO go On record At this time, probably
owing TO the troubles la his own ranks,
II Is thought, however. that Johnson
knows and feels that lands wouk be
a great man 10 have in baseball, that
his presence would lend an air Of dig
nifty to the sport and that he would
undoubtedly 10 Il lot 10 promote II, and
that when tthc time comes Johnson
would vote for the judge,
Lands has been on the federal bench
n long time and may welcome a change,
Besides, the craftsmanship Of the com
mission Is a lucrative position, one that
would pay considerably more than Is
federal Judge receives, Those who
know Lands say he would he worth all
the major leagues could afford to give
him for the good he would do the sport,
If the position is offered 70 him at
the proper time and he accepts. base
bail men would be entitled to congratu-
lation ON getting q man of his ability.
honesty. fairness and knowledge Of the
gamp.