The Washington times., 1921-06-20

An era that establishes the sport on
a basis OF fair play TO the club own
ers and the players is thus opened
And baseball will benefit greatly
thereby.
The best feature, perhaps, OF the
decision is that IL eradicstes politics
from the game, and eliminates the
feelings OF doubt that existed among
the club owners as to the good in
tentions OF their fellows.
There was a time in baseball. years
ago, when any way TO win was con-
sidered the proper caper among both
msgnates and players. That idea may
have continued TO later days. I should
not be at all surprised II II had.
GREATLY BENEFITS GAMES.
However. with Commissioner Lam
dis at the head OF organized baseball,
and the confidence now held in his
ability to sense and to grasp what is
for the betterment and consequent
permanency OF the game, has caused
wonderful transforma ton for the
welfare OF the psstime and all those
connected with IL.
II has taken the club owners and
players a long time 10 appreciate that
what is good for one Is good for all,
md Commissioner Lands has proven
himself to be the baseball Moses.
The players now know where they
stand. They can be holdouts for but
one purpose, and that will be for
higher salaries. They can back-up
for the money only until certain
date without being suspended. That
will result in most of them getting
.A
will straighten out things materially.
Possibly there have been players
who have been approached" to secure
their services by rival clubs, but that
was such a dangerous plan and sub
ject to such a severe penalty that IL
was far from being a custom That
40 proof has been advanced that such
acts have taken place is evidence
enough that all reports of such at
fairs were merely rumors and spread
through jealousy.
II has been insinuated very recent
ly that the New York National
League club has been guilty of nego-
tiating with players of rival clubs
for future employment, with the
direct purpose of disrupting the team
of a rival by making the approach
ed player sdissatisf,ed-
There was never a more false or
unjust statement ever made 1t was
a base insinuation and probably due
to an old grievance against officials
of the New York club.
Western writer's have long been
Jealous of our big city and take
gladly to any occasion to knock II.
All of the many deals for players
the New York National League Club
has made either by purchase or trade
or both. have been strictly above
board and with honest business in
tentiops.
M'GRAw FIRST To ACT.
Manager McGraw was the first
manager to suspend his players
against. whom there was any suspi-
cion Of dishonest playing or crooked
ness. That he secured Hal Chase Is
no reflection on McGraw, for Chase
was not signed to New York club
contract until he was exonerated
from the charges made against him.
IL Chase was "whitewashed," who
was to know it3 Chase was stricken
OF the Giants team when evidence
was secured that he was undesirable.
How about the sale OF first base
man TO the Philadelphia club by
Western club when the player was
known to have written a self-incrlm-
mating letter and the letter was In
ovidence7
Everything bad in baseball, before
the present welcome era. did not
originate in New York city or In the
East.
And again. the many complications
that arose over the Carl Mays case
would not have happened II politics
we're not thought BY tho owners OF
the Yank ees 10 be working by West
,.L~u .h. Erenchman szsily