Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-30

VII CStOIS VI tilc NiilCi iSdi League,
of Washington, Frank Navin of Oct,
of Philadelphia and Jim Dunn OF c
by the National Leaguers i'll their ul
if the Johnsonian group failed to int
Der | was accepted. This scheme. pI
affairs OF the sport by board OF
reputc,' was rejected-as wholly uns;
This constitutes calling the han
extremely doubtful that the latter
organize an independent circuit The
impractical. is that they would aliens
support such plan would be fored
The American Leaguers did not issue
any ultimatum to their opponents. but
advanced what is termed a counter pro-
posal" which contemplates representa-
ton for the minors in constructing the
framework for a new working agree
ment for direction of the sport, who
would be without voice in the pro-
ceedings under the Lasker plan. The
wisdom and equity of such procedure
are apparent when it is considered that
the minors in the aggregate have more
money invested in the game than the
majors and play in at least twelve times
as many towns.
Suggest Committee of Nine.
The answer of the American Leaguers
to the ultmatum is a suggestion that
committee of nine members-three each
from the two major leagues and trio
representing the mnors-formulate re-
organization plans, thus giving due con-
sideration to all interests involved.
1--WE are confident" the statement is
sued following the meeting yesterday
says. 'that in this manner a reorgani-
zation may be worked out along sane
and practical lines which will be salts
factory. not only to so-called organized
base ball. but to the public as we'll.
I'VE recognize that there is strong
feeling prevalent among the public IN
favor of some reorganization. and the
American League will be glad 10 CO.
operate in a feasible and practical way
to that end"
''The board of directors are of the
unanimous opinion that the So-called
.Lasker plan will prove wholly mel
fectual to accomplish the results when
its sponsors seek to accompnsn. anu
that the American League cannot SUD-
scribe to that plan.' the statement con-
tinues.
Why Lasker Plan Is OppOsed.
In support of this assertion the di-
rectors pointed out two reasons why
the plan cannot be approved by the
American League:
'Firsu 1t appears that the Ma
tional Association of Professional Base
Ball Leagues (minor leagues) has
thus far had no part in the working
out of this plan. nor does 1t appear
that the plan contemplates permitting
them to have proper voice or innu-
ence in the proposed reorganization.
Permitting them to make recon-
mendations is but an empty shell.
Moreover. il a reorganization is 10 De
accomplished the national association
should have a representative on the
board of control. or national commits
oinn nv whatever name tndC DOQy
may be called.
Second AS we read the resolutions
adopted. the underlying idea of the
sponsors for the so-called Lasker
commission composed of eminent citi-
'Eens, who have no connection what
soever with base ball. except as they
may be patrons of the sport.
'.rhe names which have thus far
been suggested by the sponsors for
the plan. according to the press. are
of men who have heretofore had no
experience in the management or con-
duct of base ball, and the wisdom of
permitting men inexperienced in prac-
teal base ball affairs. no matter how
eminent they may be, to be en-
powered to take over even tempo
rarity under any circumstances the
management of base ball properties
in which large sums of money have
been invested is gravely doubtful.
Doubt Boards Effectiveness.
THE so-called plan of reorganiza-
tion has apparently been precipitated
by reason of the gambling exposures.
particularly the throwing of games
by players. and the idea of the spon-
sors of the so-called Lasker plan
seems to be that this evil in base ball
can be entirely avoided in the future
Z by the creation of such a commission.
We have no confidence in such a
commission being any more able to
stamp out gambling than the national
commission has been; indeed. we do
not believe that such a commission
could be as effective in stamping out
gambling a commission composed
of practicable base ball men. who un-
derstand the game in all its details
and know Intimately the history of all
IF base ball games have been
thrown in the past. as all now know
Ihey have been in one series. 1T has
keen due to the inherent dishonesty
Of the players who have sold them
selves to the gamblers. The thing
that will stop gambling in base ball
is the certainty, speed and severity
Of the punishment melted out to those
who sell games or do the gambling
The boxing game was given another
black eye in Baltimore ias.
scheduled to be held under the
ausnices of the Coliseum a. c. be-
tween Lightweight Champion Benny
Leonard and Harlem Eddie Kelly
+. failed to materialiZe. Haggling of the
principals over the money they were
10 receive was the cause of the fiasco
which resulted in the asSemblage
which included a number of Wash
ington sportsmen- who had made the
trip to see the titleholder In actlon
being compelled to wait in the or
Regiment Armory for more than ar
hour, following three ordinary preiim
mary bouts. only to be disappointed.
The reason given for calling on tht
fight was that the gate was lnsuH
Gent to meet the demands OF th'
scrappers. Leonard received ms shar'
'-s4,000-being given $1,000 OF TN
total of about $4,000 in recelpts. am
bond the promoters deposited VIII
the state boxing commission 1or az
additional $1,000. Blame for failur
of the fight to materialiZe was place.
on Kelly. whose manager refused u
permit him to enter the ring becaus
his percentage of the receipts woui'
net him only little more than sou
but before this decision was mad
known the Leonard management an
hounced.the champion would not ap
pear before he was paid mis- guaraa
tee.
1t is a sad state of affairs that per
mits of such a fiasco. RefundinS o
admission money will not mollify tn