The New York herald., 1922-12-07
MINOR LEAGUES BAR
KEEPER FOREVER
Action Most Drastic Taken by
Organized Baseball Against
Individual.

LOUISVILLE. Ky, Dec. 6. (Associated
Press. )-Wiliam II. Klepper. president
of the Portland Club of the Pacific
Coast League, to-day was forever
barred from further participation in the
affairs of the National Association of
Professional Baseball Leagues. in a
resolution adopted by the board Of ar
bitration of the organization. Keepers
expulsion is the result of alleged false
statements concerning the paid-in capi-
tai stock of the Tacoma. Wash, club,
which he organized. The action barring
him from all participation In baseball
affairs is the most drastic ever taken by
organized baseball against any one in
dlviduaI.
Klepper purchased 81 per cent. OF the
stock OF the club and citizens OF Tacoma
subscribed the balance. Klepper claims
some of the subscribers failed to advance
their money. but he previously had filed
a statement with John II. Farrell. secre-
tary OF the national association. that all
the money had been paid.
After expellng Keeper the board
awarded Frank "Tealcy" Raymond,
manager OF the Tacoma club. $500 In
back salary. Raymond filed claim
for this amount as the Pacific lnrrna-
tional League. of which Tacoma was
member, iisbanded before the close OF
last season. The financial affairs or The
club, which resulted In Keepers dis
barrnent, were revealed at the boards
hearing of Raymond's claim
BIamcs Coast League Head.
Klepper and his attorney, G.. c..
e, itrl,f a statement
claring that William ii. Mccarthy.
president of the Pacific Coast League,
was responsible for the action taken
against the Portland club president and
that he inspired the resolution which
expelled him Attorney Moser said the
case would be carried to the courts.
'"rhe resolution was inspired by
President Mccarthy OF the Pacific Coast
League" Attorney Moser said The
matt could only have arisen because
of the alleged claims If Frank 'Tealey'
Raymond against the Portland club.
which claims have been allowed by Mr..
Mccarthy as president of the lea ue.
and under baseball laws he real Lad
no jurisdiction to pass upon them.
''The resolution is wholly beyond thc
jurisdiction of the National
was the decision of Judge
against Klepper, and our club
SORT TO lile courts loi Itbtl anu loI III
protection OF our constitutional. per
sonal and property rights
Suspended Inst Spring.
Previous to the action to-day disbar-
ring Keeper Commissioner Lands sus-
rended him last spring until 1925 for
an alleged attempt to defraud the
Seattle Wash. club of the services OF
Manager william Kenworthy. Ken
worthy at the same time was suspended
insofar as playing with the Pacific Coast
League was concerned until 1924.
Commissioner Landis charged that
Keeper who was president of the
Seattle club. had made a private agree
ment with Kenworthy. then manager OF
Seattle. declaring him a free agent, and
two days later purchased the Portland
club, engaging Kenworthy as it's man
ager. Commissioner lands ruled there
could be no private agreement to make
players under contract free agents.
Commissioner Landis was without au-
thority to remove Klepper as president
of the club but he was not permitted
to sign contracts or affix his signature
to other business of the franchise.
THE board has no jurisdiction over
the Portland corporation except so far
as 1t Is connected with baseball activi-
tites. and as corporate entity it can
continue Mr.. Klepper IN office" said
John Conway Tooe, president OF the
International League and member of
the board OF arbitration. He cannot.
however. under the resolution personally
take any part in baseball matters"