The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-13

copy or the instrument WIN tnem
each minor league.
The minor leagues will meet In Chi
cago on January 10. two days before
the joint meeting of the majors in
that city, and at that time the ratifi-
cation, IL there is one, of the agree
ment between major and minor league
baseball will take place. The draft
question is the big one to be settled.
A stiff fight is being made In the In
ternational and American associations
against drafting of their players. and
this will be the principal theme at the
International League meeting irf New
York to-day.
In the appended major league agree
ment it will be seen that the late anti
Johnson eleven-same being the eight
National League clubs and the New
York, Boston and Chicago clubs of the
American gained a vital point for
which they fought, namely. voting by
clubs and not by leagues.
Another important item is the section
providing for the President of the United
States to step in and designate conf
missioner In the event that the baseball
interests cannot agree on one. The COM
missioner is vested with great and far
eaching powers, punitive and otherwise,
and the clubs agree ''severally to waive
such right of recourse TO the courts as
would otherwise have existed In their
favor"
The full text OF the agreement fol-
lows:
MAJOR LEAGUE AGREEMENT.
Agreement between the National
League of Professional Baseball Clubs
and each Of its eight constituent clubs.
Of the ONE part, and the American
League of Professional Baseball Clubs
and each OK its eight constituent clubs.
of the other part.
Article x.-The Comm iss iOner.
Sec 1.-The office OF commissioner is
hereby created.
Sec. 2-The functions Of the commits
sioner shall he as follows:
(a) To inveptigate, either upon COM
plant or upon his own initiative any
act, transaction or practice charged.
alleged or suspected to be detrimental
to the best interests of the national
game of baseball, with authority 10
summon persons and to order the pro-
duction of documents, and in case Of
refusal to appear or produce to i'm
pose such penalties as are hereinafter
provided.
OBJ To determine. after investiga-
ton, what preventive, remedial or
punitive action is appropriate in the
premises. and to take such action
either against maJpr leagues major
league clubs or individuals. as the cas-
may be.
(c) To hear and determine finally
any dispute between the major leagues
which may be certified to him for de-
termination by the president of either
major league.
fd) To hear and TO determine
finally any dispute to which "a player
is a party. or any dispute concerning
n Mayer. which. may be certified 20
him by either or any of the disputants.
(e) To formulate. and from time 70
time anno- ce. the rules of procedure
to be observed by the commissioner
and an other parties IN connection
with tine discharge Of his riut'es such
rules shall always recoyntze the right
Of any party In interest 10 appear
before the commissioner and be heard
and the right OF the presidents of the
two major leagues to appear and be
heard upon any matter affecting the
interests OF The major Leagues. or
either of them
Sec. BIN the case of conduct d,>ri-
mental to baseball by major leagues.
major league clubs, officers. employees
or players, punitive action by the COM
missioner may In any case take the
form of a public reprimand. in the
case OF major league or club the
commissioner may impose a fine not
exceeding five thousand ($5.00o) dol
lars for any one offence. In the case Of
major league club punishment may
nNfaf1H IN 20
resentaton IN joint meetings held under
this agreement. Pr the case Of any Of
ficial or employee OF a major league
or of any major league club punish
ment may extend to suspension or re-
moval For such conduct a player
may be declared by the commissioner
temporarily or permanently ineligible
90 play for any club which is a party
TO this agreement.
Sec. 4--Tn the case OF conduct detri-
mental to baseball by ORGANIZATIONS
not rarties to this agreement. or by
individuals not connected with any OF
the parties hereto. the commissioner
may pursue appropriate LEGAL rem
edies. advocate remedial LEGISLATION
and take such other steps as he may
deeni necessary and proven in the in
terests OF the morale of the players
and the honor OF the game.
Sec. 5--The commissioner shall hold Of
flee for seven 90 years and shall be
eligible TO succeed himself His com
pensatipn shall be fifty thousand
(S50.0o0p dollars per annum.
Sec. 6-The first commissioner under
this agreement shall be Kenesaw VI.
lands. Uron the exriration of his
term. or upon his resignation or death
during hlA term. his successor shall
be chosen Nv vote of the majority ~
the clubs aomrosing the two major
leagues. In the event OF failure 10
elect a SUCCESSOR within three (3)
months after tho vacancy has arisen
either major league may request tho
President OF che United States 20 des-
ignnte n commissioner. and the person
when thus designated shall thereuron
become commissioner with the same
effect as II named herein.