The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-11-09
BAN JOHNSON HAS
Jump ON RIVALS
CONTINUED from First Page.)

own constitution. can declare the threc
franchises vacant. In that case, I'M
der this same constitution, the play
ers revert to the American League.
This phase OF the situation must
be known to Charles A. Comiskey.
He was Ban Johnson's principal sup
porter in the formation OF the Amer
lean League and for years Was vice
president and n member of the board
Of directors. When the American
League forced its way into the big
league world, II fully protected itself
even against traitors within ITS own
ranks. The collapse OF the Baltimore
club, under the leadership of John }.
McGraw. did not smash the new
league. The ranks merely closed in
and carried on. 1t Il the plan OF
Ban Johnson and his "faithtul nVe
to continue that movement today.
or course. with such PLAYERS as
Baoe Ruth, Dick Kerr. Harry Hooper,
Ray Schalk. Eddie Collins and Roger
Peckinpaugh-to name few-de-
clared the property of the American
League, legal battles arc certain to
ensue. 1t is probable that injunc-
tons will fly hither and yon, the
lawyers being the winners in the
long run.
II il comes down to a battle OF
money. it is well TO harken TO sage
saying Of Clark Grinith's. one DAY
last winter when tine hghtover Carl
Mays was at it's hottest.
I'm a fight between the old-time
baseball man and the modern type OF
business man in baseball" said Grit
nth, "rll string along with the base
ball man. Connie Mack is my idea
Of what mean. He'll stay i'll the
fight If he has to eat in one-arfnc
hashery and still move along.
THE business man in baseball 49,
first of all, business man. He
wants to see the interest on his
money. Entering into prolonged
battle. the old-tim baseball man VIII
win from the business man in base
ball every time"
Ban Johnson, it may be assumed,
has let no grass grow under his feet.
If he intends TO make a fight, he has
undoubtedly made tentative OFFERS to
.noneyed interests in the three cities
which are likely to be affected BY the
hostilities; Chicago, New York ara
Boston.
Putting club on Chicago's West
Side, left without one since the Cubs
took over the Federal League park.
would be tens strike, as the West
SIOc no" is NltnOuI d CluU a. ICi
years OF supporting the National
League. West Side fans have never
accepted the jump to Sheridan ave-
nue. on the North Side. Many have
transferred their allegiance TO Com
iskey's American Leaguers. 1t would
be even easier for them TO maintain
their support OF an American League
club on the West Side.
Harry II. Frazee is decidedly un-
popular in Boston. Indeed, his fail
ure to strengthen his club from the
proceeds of severa! sales, including
that of Babe Ruth, has soured Boston
fans on him, Today he is being
criticised for nor making Harry
Hooper his manager Putting an OPP
position club into the Hub would rally
the disgruntled and make Traces
stand untenable.
New York offers a tough PROPOSE
ton. After many years OF trials, the
Yankees have just now become pop
uIar with the fans. But II the play
crs do rot go with the club. but with
tho American League. New York may
follow III" league rather thon the
club, for In the long run the fans
care little aoout tho magnates. Tho
magnates don't play ball.
The decision Of tho eleven ajor
league clubs not TO invade any minor
league territory Is an effort 10 gain
the support Of the minors especially
the International League and the
American Association, which might
lose n club TO the new organization.
This is bitter medicine for Balti-
more, which has been seeking a
major league franchise. Already
there Is much talk In Baltimore of
its chances of getting into either Of
the warning circuits. with suggestion
that one side or the other buy Jack
Dunn's franchise from the Interna-
tional League.
IT the fight brings an eight-club
American League face to face with u
twelve-club National League, odds
will favor the smaller and more COM
pact organization. Furthermore. han
johnson delights in fight and.
backed by his nagnstcs rs BY one
man. he should carry the battle TO the
looscly.govcrned foe headed by John
4. H"ydlcr.
However. II cannot be said for a
certainty that there will b. any war.
The minors will decide thai