Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-11-13
Jurist Accepts Chairman
ship When Magnates End
Controversy.
DECLINES TO GIVE UP
HIS LIFE POSITION
Ardent Supporter of National
Pastirne Declares He Can
Handle Both Places.
SETTLEMENT Is REACHED
Each Faction Conccthes DISPUTED
Points, AMI Hatchct Is Bur-
led Forever.

icu Forever.
CHICAGO. Nov. 1c.-Feiesal Judge
kcncsaw Mountain Lands today ac-
ceptcd the craftsmanship of profess
sional baseball after il ntni been ten.
dcrcd him by unanimous vote of tho
sixteen major league clubs. and
thereby became the final court oc
appeals in all matters of admins
tration which may come up between
the National and American Leagues
and any minor leagues wlrich volun-
tarily join in the proposed rcEula-
ton OF baseball.
Judge Lands was hearing case
in which $4,000 bribery in conncc-
ton with nm income tax war; charged
when committee of eight club
owners called on him. AS the MAJ
mates filed into the courtroom. hats
in their hands. the judge sharp!y
banged his gavel and ordered them
to make less noise. When informed
of their mission ho had them cs-
cortcd to his chambers. wfacre they
were kept in waiting for fprty-iiv,
minutes before the. judge would lis
ten TO the offer that increased his
annual salary from $500 a year 10
$4,000.
While the magnates waiuec. the
judge conducted the bribery trial IN
hts usual vigorous fashion and gave
vent to some scathing remarks about
tho men who falsihcd their income
tax returns.
Ba"ebali Mngnatcs Watt.
Waiting on the Judge were Charles
| Comiskey, president OF the Chicago
American League Club; William
Vecck. president OF the Chicago Ma
tionals: Jacob Rupert, OF the New
York Americans: Clark Griffith, OF tho
Washington Americans: Charles Eb-
bets. OF Brooklyn: Garry Hcrrmann.
OF Cincinnati; Barney Dreyiuss. OF
Pittsburgh. and John Breadon. of tho
st. Louis Nationals.
Later they were joined by Connie
Mack. or the Philadelphia Amcricaas.
Robert Quinn and James Dunn, OF
Cleveland. AT first the judge re-
FUSED the offer on the ground .hat
he loved his position as judge" 900
much to quit the bench.
Finally. he agreed TO hold both
positions, but specified thar his base
ball salary should be decreased By
$1,000 the amount he received as
Judge. 1t was agreed. that as chair
man he should receive sI2.5Oo a yea
instead OF the $4,000 originally OF.
fered.
After the meeting, Judge Landss
took Clark Griffith, a personal friend
over to n window
"Grif." he said. I'm going TO tell
you Just why took this Job. Sxr
those kids down thcro on the stree
See that airplane propeller on tns
waii. we'll that explains my accep.
ancc.
Shame TO Breap Up Game.
you see. thae propeller was ON
the plane in which my SON. Major
Reed Lands. flew while overseas.
Reed and went to ono OF the world
seric' games Mt Brooklyn. OUTSIDE
the gate were a bunch OF little kids
playing around. Reed turned to 1ne
anu SAID: Dad. wouldn't It be "a
shame to have tho game OF the liz.
tie Kids broken up? Wouldn't IL be
h"lul TO take baseball away from
them Well. while you gentIemsn
were talking to me, looked lid At
TINS propeller and thought Of Reed.
ihen l thought of his remark ,n
brooklyn. Grlf we've got to keen
baseball on a high standard for tn.
sake or tho youngsters--that's why
1 tooS the job: because l want TO
help"
Judge Landls', official acceptanc.
was made In the following state
mcnt: I have accepted the chair
mhhshiD OF baseball on tho ,nyitA-
'ioh OF the sixteen major league
CLUBS. AT their request and In ac-
coroance with my own earnest wishes
! am TO remain on the bench anu
continue my work here. The op-
portunities for real service arc limit
'ess. IL Is a matter to which I have
deVoted nearly forty years. On
the question of policy all I have to
say IS this: the only thing In any
body's mind now is to make and
keep baseball what the millions 81
tans throughout the United States
want it to be-"
Lnndts Long a National Figure.
Judge Lands is q national fsurc.
Tor the important cases no has
passed upon and his wit and sarcasm
sometimes humorous and some
times caustic-which he directs A.
prisoners and counsel from his bcuch
nave made him famous.
Baseball always has been ona ~
ms mobiles In the little town OF
i'og ansport. Ind. where he was rear
cd. tho Judge played on amateur
anu semi-professionai teams. His
brilliant playing brought hin, many
ohers TO turn professional but he al
ways declined. saying he piayal
merely for sport and love OF thc
game.
In 1914 Judge Lands presided ia
the legal battle which resulted from
ehe greatest baseball war in his-