Evening star., 1925-02-11

"lHIlllS CiuO -Oi lHC4 -Ndtloildi LSde
series"
This will not go into effect, how
ever, until after the close of the 1928
season. The Washington club, base
balls latest world hampions, in a
part is responsible for the new move
Following the world series triumph
of 1924 the Nationals were invited to
join the Giants in their annual ex-
pedition through the South during
the training period. And what
could be wrong in that? Nothing. For
who knows whether the Giants and
the Nationals will ever win another
pennant, much less repeat as the
world series attraction.
Nevertheless, it was called to Ban
Johnson's attention recently that
such a series, a transforming tour
by the two world series candidates,
was opening the avenue for scandal
mongers. 1t was pointed out to john
son that such a thing as d one-sided
result for the National League cham
pions would cause suspicion.
And perhaps there would be those
who would say: Aha, didn't l tell
you the Giants didn't try their best
last fall? See how they cleaned up
those Griffmen. Look at the way they
socked those curves from Zachary,
Mogridge and Johnson"
And Johnson thought it all over.
For the good of base ball the
American Leaguers pondered over
that question for more than one hour
in their conference that did not con-
sumo three hours. At the start there
was but one dissenting vote. 1t came
from w. NJ. Richardson. vice presi-
dent of the Washington club. He re-
sented the move. He refused point
blank. and in words that could be
heard on the floor above, to join the
other American League owners in
passing such a. resolution at this
time. He was not going to allow
anybody to throw any mud at the
Washington club. For which he was
perfectly proper.
However, Mr. Richardson did not
quite understand the drift of things.
He is not a hardened base ball mag
nate. one who has etood the gaff and
knocks of the game for many years.
The cards of his ball club are played
above the table and he wants the
world to know 1t.
Eventually the whole affair seeped
into Richardson's mind. He sat
there and listened and he was told
that in no way was this resolution
attacking the integrity of the Wash
tngton ball club.
1T must be admitted" spoke Ban
Johnson, that there is an opening
for suspicion and that is what we
want to wipe out" p r4-r
When other owners offered, the
same explanation Vice President
Richardson swung in line and made
the resolution unanimous.
When the meeting adjourned, Presi
dent Johnson said that he regretted
that he did not have the matter
called to his attention before the Ma
tionals and Giants made arrangements
for their training series.
Monument Offer withdrawn.
There was one other important
news development from the meeting.
This was the first case handled. The
American League withdrew it's offer
to erect a 100000 monument for base
ball in East Potomac Park, Washing
ton. 1t will be recalled that Ban
Johnson sposored such a monument
several years ago. However, it was
to be entirely for the American
League, which naturally resulted in
bac fire from the National League,
and apparently sufficient pressure
was brought to the front in Congress
10 block the American League offer
Anyway, the officials reported that.
owing to such adverse action by Con-
gress, it was decided to withdraw its
offer. s.s
The only trade ripple heard linked
the Browns and the Yankees in
swap Of some sort. This was labeled
more rumor than truth owing to the
fact that Miller Huggins and George
Sisler were the only American
League managers who were present.
Sisler is in the market for a right
hand hitting outf1elder, and has his
eyes peeled on Johnny Mostil of the
White Sox.
The Nationals, having won the 1924
pennant and apparently strengthen
Ing their pitching. staff for 1925, did
not let out a, ripple of excitement in
the trade market.
All of the clubs were represented
at the gathering with the exception
of the Chicago White Sox. which
proves that Charles Comiskey and
Johnson are getting farther apart
were w. NJ. Richardson. Washington;
Tom Shibe, Philadelphia; Edward
Barrow, New York; Palmer Winslow,
Boston; E S.. Barnard. Cleveland;
Frank Navin, Detroit; Attorney Sol
Swarts and Business Manager Bill
Friel, ST. Louis.
Other Changes Adopted.
Under the plan adopted by the
American League and previously
adopted by the National League, the
first, second, sixth and seventh
games of the 1925 world series will
he played in. the National League
city winning the pennant. Games
three. four and five will be played
in the American League city. The
following year the series will open
in the American League, the plan be-
coming a definite schedule for all fu-
ture world series
The meeting ratified the proposal
Of the base ball advisory council that
the club finishing fourth in the pen
nant race be permitted to share in
the world series receipts and also ap-
proved the suggestion to advance the
pay of umpires in the world series
from $4,000 to $4,000 and urnpires'
pay in city series from $500 to $500.
The meeting of the American
Leaguers was the first since the joint
session in Chicago two months ago.
In which seven owners signed the
communication to Judge K. M. Lands
rebuking President Johnson and re-
moving him from the advisory
council.
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