The New York herald., 1922-01-26
LANDIS FACES NEW
CRISIS OVER DRAFT
American Associations Refu-
sal Seems to Forecast Similar
Action by international.
BY DANIEL.

A condition which will test the powers
and diplomatic abilities Of Judge lands
has arisen. Some time ago the Pacific
Coast League announced that It would
not readopt the drafting system and
yesterday the American Association fol-
lowed suit. That, no doubt. means that
when the International League meets
here on February IA 1t will chime IN
with its companions in the Class AA di-
vision and nullify all the hard work
which Lands put in at the meetings OF
the advisory council here in December.
At that time Thomas Hickey. head OF
the American Association, and ]. Con-
way Toole. president Of the Interna-
tional indicated that the compromise
plan suggested by the Judge would be
satisfactory to their leagues. But the
minors still are obdurate, and more
hard work is ahead for the Judge. The
absence of the draft in the Class AA
leagues leaves the majors in very
ticklish position, and 1t may prove a
mighty serious one II the Baltimore
Federal League case comes up in the
United States Supreme Court before the
draft is readopted.
The Pacific Coast League without
question is responsible for the position
of the Class AA company The coast
league entertains the impression that 1t
does not need the majors and that the
majors need 1t very badly. 1t wants
to sprout out as a major league-that In
spite of the fact that most OF Its out
standing players are major league cast
offs. and that, though the coast league
had a fine season in 1921. It's most sue
cessful club failed to collect as many
admissions as did the last place A:h-
letics in the American League.
There is much to be said for both
sides in this long drawn out draft con-
troversy, but the minors fall to take
into consideration the very important
legal side of the case. The defense OF
Organized Baseball In the Federal
League suit which came up before Judge
Landis. and in the Baltimore Federal
League case which has gone TO the su-
preme Court, rested mainly on the
nroposition that the entire fabric OF
baseball was built on the proposition
that every player was afforded a chance
to advance in his chosen profession. The
form of contract, which some legal
kghts hold involves peonage, has been
justified by the contention that IL is
necessary in order that players may
advance.
There was no surprise at the ofices
of the Giants yesterday over the trans
fer OF the Arn1y-NdVy AVOeSot
from, the polo Grounds to Franklin
Field in Philadelphia. AS the Navy
had the right to name the scene OF
the 1922 contestant as It repeatedly
had expressed a preference for the
Quaker City-it became evident as soon
IS Pennsylvania announced that Its new
stadium would be ready for the footraii
season. that Philadelphia would land
the classic. However. that does not mean
that the game is gone from here for
good. IT will be back In New York
in 1923-and let us hope that the ser
vice officials avoid another conflict with
the Harvard-Yale game.
James Tierney. secretary Of the
Giants. said yesterday that the ciup
would take steps to fll the November
Oh date, which had been held open for
| the Army and the Navy. 1T Is very
probable that we will walt until next
November to arrange a game for the
omen saturday" said Tierney. I'VE may
be able to bring together two outstand- :
ing teams In an intersectional contest"