New-York tribune., 1921-01-09

III tne interests OF peace, Dut tnere
absolute opposite.
In this big meeting every one in any
way associated with or interested in
professional baseball in any way has
deep concern. The outcome is quite
as important to the minor league Of
lowest classification as to either of the
major leagues; vastly more so. no
doubt. The veriest rookie Of the sticks
has more at stake than the established
star of fast company.
The basic idea of the grand powpow
is to effect working agreement be
tween the two major leagues and be-
tween those two majors and the
family Of minor organizations on the
other hand. Fer some time now each
group major and minor has con-
ducted its own affairs Independently.
Especially since August Hermann re
signed from the chairmanship of the
National Commission there has been
no head to organized baseball govern
ment
Landis to Lead Way
Judge Kenesaw Mountain Lands has
been chosen as the Moses to lead the
two major leagues cut Of the wilder
ness of doubt and suopicion. As com
missioner his will be the last word Of
baseball law as applied to MAJOR legis-
iation. 1t is hoped his influences viii
be extended to cover the minor field as
we'll during the seven years tenure of
Office.
A committee Of six representing the
minor leagues met with committees of
three, respectively, from cact. of the
National and American leagues in New
York q month ago and with Commits
sioner Lands in the chair drew up two
tentative agreements to replace the old
national agreement which had been
abrogated by the minor leagues. This
old national agreement. effected at the
settlement OF the war between the Ma
tional and American leagues in 1908,
was verbose, unwieldly. ambiguous and
obsolete.
Two tentative agreements replaced it.
One if finally ratified by both will
bring the National and American
leagues into close working harmony;
the other is supposed to serve the
same Office between major and minor
league baseball. These agreements
were made as concise and clear as
possible The idea had been to eimi-
nate the chaf from the old time IN
strument and TO incorporate in a code
OF detail formerly included in the
peace pact Of 1908.
But complications set in even before
the dove of peace could alight on the
conference in this city month ago.
At its annual meeting the National
League not only ratified, but signed
as individual clubs the agreement be-
tween itself and the American League.
At its annual meeting the American
7 StH i-rf, f,IlclI- s. iSO.
but later. in order Gas it was explain
ed that the agreement might be
roconsdered in case minor amend
ments were contemplated the American
League took another vote which carried
the proposed agreement with one
technical dissenting vove. Consequently
the American League has yet to sign
the agreement.
Johnson May Get Busy
Vow OF late there have been
emitted from Chicago low rumblngs
which indicate that President Ban
Johnson may seize upon this technical
ity TO confuse the issue. Johnson him
self has said as much. He declared
boldly some time ago that the Ameri-
can League never would ratify the
agreement as it stands, and as johnson
speaks for the majority his attitude
bears significance.
John and his "loyal FIVE" fought to
the last ditch against the appointment
when il became evident the eight Ma
tional League club owners and the
three "insurgents" Of his circuit were
prepared 70 combine in new twelve
club circuit. which would have left him
and his five outside the established
pale, to get along as best they could.
Men versed in baseball politics are
~ oplr ro+ n rcou in t~y-ir
to becloud the big issues is at the
same time attempting to disgust Judge
Iandis with baseball politics before he
has actively assumed Office. II wilt be
VEN emhered that some years ago when
Harry \ Hampstead and Harry II Fra
-ee attempted to have William Howard
I aft appointed National Commission
chairman, Messrs. Johnson and Herr
mann, by such Il subterfugc, side
tracked all opposition to Garry" for
ne time
Furthermore, there are those mean
enough TO suspect the sinister hand Of
Ban Johnson behind much Of the op-
position nat has developed in minor
league circles against the second agree
ment That the majority Of the minor
leagues We're satisfied With this tenta-
tive agreement at the time it was
or9Nrn can scarcely be denied
he minors had equal representation
With the majors in committee and all
I've minor classlhcatious were repre-
sented. But if the real trouble lies, in
deed, with Johnson and his ry1npathiz-
crs, Il may greatly simplify the prob
'"n In that case Johnson and his
'oyal i've Will be treated to another
cose Of the old steam roller. In that
casc Il would have been Johnson and
his colleagues that have broken the
peace and the Big Eleven would break
rgh. away for war. II is not too late
cen yet 70 launch the twelve club
protect.
Class AA Men Oppose
The New international League and
the American Association (Class AA
\ Arganizs,ions) form the principal op-
position among the minors TO the rati-
fcation % the agreement. These big
minors voice Two strong objections
They DO not wi.n - have 20 return to
conditions which would give major
tazue clubs the prigileres of draft
won thera and they object TO giving
percentage of gate receipts toward the
talayy % Judge Lands unless they
have more representation in baseball
governmcnt than has been proposed
BY no stretch Of the Imagination
can 4 now be realized how noncycd
clpbs would NOT usurp the field In
tpch free scrambic. If they did not
there wolld be every reason for aus-
picson u sharp practise.
hut they DO wish 10 retain draft pr1-