The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-20
JOHNSON CALLS
SPECIAL MEETING
Promises Statement 'That VIII
Knock Some of These
Outsiders Cold

Special Despatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
CHICAGO, Oct. 19.--Ban Johnson has
called a meeting Of his faithful FIVE" to
be held in st. Louis next week. A wire
was sent to Phil c. Ball. owner Of the st.
Louis Browns who is spending the win
ter in Pasadena, to hurry back to st.
Louis Johnson has not been Idle. The
big boss OF the younger circuit said to-
night: 81 will give out a statement in
a few days that viii knock some of these
outsiders cold"
The wrecking of the American League
and the formation of a new twelve club
organization with two clubs in Chicago;
New York and Boston are practically
assured If the FIVE clubs favoring Presi-
dent Ban johnson do not swing into line
by November /.
President Jacob Heydler said to-day:
1.-THE action taken at Monday nights
session was the elimination OF careful
and dispassionate deliberation of men of
unquestioned sincerity and honesty Of
purpose and who are determined that IN
no other way can the revision of baseball
government be accomplished and the
lust demands of the American public be
met
"The men who have so pledged them
selves constitute, not only eleven-slx-
teenths of major league membership
but they represent more than three
f0urths of the capital invested in the
sport They have charted their course
md have compacted to see ii through at
all hazards.
Theirs Is a declaration of principles
not declaration of war. Protective
f,<x.rf
have been providing for any eventuality.
II IL does mean war. then the respon-
sibility for war must rest with those
who deliberately chose to remain aloof
from the councils of their friends and
business associates at this time when
the integrity OF the game is at stake.
Rather than war / say the door OF
welcome is wide open and we again plead
with all to take their proper place In
limo and SO present united front In
this eight for the common good.
Speaking more personally. ! do not
understand why such men as Clark Grif-
fifth, Connie Mack and Robert Quinn
did not attend. They are thinking men
aud baseball represents their life work.
7 innEluc they either do not fully UNI
dsrg'and tho proposition or do not APP
gTeltcta the seriousness OF this situa-
iion 4"
President Johnson will not permit
rnlit in The American League" said
barney Dreyfus, owner OF the Pittsburg
gafianrl League team, Tonight Ills
rurpnrt this time r. weaker than In any
previous baseball fight The big money
makers IN the league are opposed to
him. You can bet a million against
cancelled postage stamp that the five
magnates who refused TO attend the con-
ference yesterday viii come forward and
agree 70 n new board OF control.
Il admire Ban Johnson. he has many
admirable traits. but we have too much
at stake 20 bubble over one man. The
only mon yelling against the reorganiza-
tion are the fellows with Jobs and fancy
salaries. Wait until Ban Johnson checks
up on tho minor leagues and he discovers
that practically every owner is with the
Reorganization rlan.
81 am not championing the Lasker
plan. am for any plan chat takes the
control OF baseball out OF the hands OF
baseball men. They have had their
chance and they have almost ruined the
game. The public is the Judge in this
case. / am willing 20 take a referendum
among the. baseball fans and ask them
what they think OF the reorganization
plan.
'rhe National league kicked out Ma
gee Chase and Zimmerman last year
What did Ban Johnson do to clean up
the American LEAGUE OF crooked players?
He was always talking about his sus-
picioua and what he was going 20 do All
I want is fair and honest control OF the
game. with everybody getting an even
treais. Including the minors" concluded
Mr.. Dreyfus
"Ther evil he no compromise, and our
efforts 90 cleanse baseball Of crooked
players and sure thing gamblers also
Includes doniueerlng and unsportsnan-
like despots." was the tart and tersc
statement Of GEORGE w. Grant. president
Of the Boston National Leo que team.
This plan OF reorganization IS the
only measure that can bring baseball
back Into the good graces Of the fans
They are asking solemn protection
against croc,rcd games. and we. the
owners. who are entirely dependent upon
the public are naturally out to eight the
battle OF the people who make the game
possible.