The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-02-04
By DAVIS ]. WALSH

u v
International News Service Sports Editor
NEW YORK, Feb. 4.-one OF
our prominent citizens left his
chin unguarded again yesterday
with the customary result that
only the telltale tX) now marks
the spot where the body was
found. Imbned with the lofty
purpose of starting another anti
Lands crusade, he rushed from
his corner and led with his cnln.
The National League of PrQfes-
sional Baseball Clubs acte6 as
honorary pal1bearefs.
The one punch Knockout -
popular gesture with everybody put
the gentleman 1t most concerns.
The boys became quite exercised
when our Mr.. Dempsey droppea
one over on funny Fred Fulton.
Ant as to that. they are still talk.
fnx in the Sunday schools ABOUT
what David did to Goliath.
IT remained, however, for the
National League to establish the
modern record at the expense Of
Byron Bancroft johnson by recon-.
Inending that Byronis archirritant,
Judge Lands, be retained for q
period of ten years at the expiras
ton OF his $50, 600 contract.
This meant the beginning and
the end Of another baseball war,
facifIy declared when Johnson
turned up missing st the National
Leagues golden jubilee dinner
last night. He took this means
Of notifying Lands and baseball
IN general what he had In mind
when the judges contract ran
ont next year.
All the running out, now, prob
ably viii be done by Mr.. Johnson.
The summary reprisal exacted by
the National League at once should
prove the end Of his Landis com
pick and the beginning Of & new
regime for bigger and better com
niissionerships
8 According to those in his conf.
fence, the Judge entertained some
idea Of stepping out from under
when his term of office expired.
he probably viii think better of It. |
after receipt OF the National
Leagues l1earfening message. i
confesses desire to pay him $50s-
900 q year for ten years and the
Judge Is nothing. IL not g good fell
How Hell take the $4,000.
OF course, IL takes two to make
an agreement and the American |
League happens to be party ~
the second Uart. But with the
rival league lined up sOlidly be-
hind Lands. the johnson outfit
can do no less than follow.
ii might not feel, in toto, the
1fcyEa-I
fion lacks the cohesion OF the
National and some of its magnates
are disposed to sit on the fence,
anyhow. when a controversy arises.
johnson, probably could count
upon st. Louis, Boston and Cleve-
land to play his hand II a show.
down arose. But when one holds
the low cards, show down Is not
expedient Johnson would have
20 have bis entire league with him
10 make fight and that isn't pos
sibIe with Charley Comiskey, OF
Chicago. remaining in baseball.
For personal reasons, Rupert,
OF New York. wouldn't crowd lands,
either. while it is not likely that
Griffith. Of Washington; Navin, of
Detroit, and Mack. of Philadelphia,
would support Johnson in a fight
hFitl which they have slight
sympathy
The tip off on the American
League is that 1t recently raised
Johnson's salary, $4,000. 1t Is
presumed they thought 1t was
worth that much to have peace N
the family.
The schedule matter was referred
back to Heydler. 1t VIII probably
be released on February is. The
,oa.oy, opeOs ON A urfI IL and closes
on September 26. with the sole ex.
ception OF Boston. which will play
until September %.
Brooklyn Will open in New York,
Boston in Philadelphia, Chicago in
Cincinnati and Pittsburgh in st.
Louis. The western clubs will close
in the east.
New Interpretation of the rules
governing postponed or tied games
were adopted by the National
League. Hereafter, the home team
or any team playing on its own
grounds may play off a tied or
saoSfnonad ezane as IL sees fit