Evening star., 1927-04-24

- o far as 1t has been possible
to ascertain there is no basis
for the report that Mayor
James j. Walker of New
York has been approached on
the subject Of accepting the presi-
dency of the American League at
a salary of 100000.
No official of the circuit has been
found who has knowledge of any
overtures made to Mayor Walker,
nor of any informal or unofficial
meeting at which the subject was
discussed, while William Harridge,
secretary of Byron Bancroft John
son, head Of the league, is quoted
In the absence from headquarters
Of his boss as saying: There's
nothing to 1t. 1t looks like some
advertising for Mayor Walker.
Clark Griffith, chieftain of the
Washington club, declined to dis
cuss the Walker report other than
to assert that he did not think
there was any foundation for ii.
Phil Ball. owner Of the St Louis
Browns, declares he knows nothing
of such a move, and Col Jacob
Rupert, boss Of the New York
Yankees, declares specifically that
there has been no discussion among
his fellow owners as TO the desira
bility of Mayor Walker as presi.
dent for the American League,
johnson Sure to Go.
However, some one Is going TO
succeed Ban Johnson az head of
the circuit, and probably at q very
early date. This is assured.
Officials of the league are chary
to a degree about discussing the
situation now prevailing in their
organization. but an exceedingly
awkward condition exists, one that
can be relieved only by Johnson
getting cut, and this will be done
voluntarily or otherwise.
Since the old national commits.
sion was scrapped more than six
years ago. with the resultant loss
by Johnson of the czarlike in
fluence he welded in organized
base ball, he has been at logger.
heads with kenesaw Mountain
Lands, installed then as commits
sioner with almost unlimited power
to conduct the affairs of the game.
Johnson's antipathy toward Lands
resulted in numerous rows and al.
most constant pickering, despite
the agreement Johnson signed to
refrain from antagonistic acts and
words against the commissioner
and his administrative policies.
Ban Saved Last Winter.
Johnson's most recent outbreak
came last Winter in connection
with the charges of crookedness
preferred by Dutch Leonard
against Ty Cobb and iris Speaker
and he then was saved from sum
mary dismissal by his own club
owners through the magnanimity
Of Landis in agreeing to having
Johnson given leave of absence"
to recover his impaired health.
AT that time assurance was given
by Johnson's friends, his physician
and the attorney who acted as
spokesman for him, that Johnson
would formally relinquish his post
within 60 or 80 days. and 1t was
assumed then that the way had
been prepared in that manner for
Johnson to gracefully resign after
a reasonable period.
Consequently some surprise was
occasioned shortly before the cur
rent season opened, when Johnson
returned to his Office in Chicago
and resumed the active duties Of
president by announcing the as
signments of umpires for the open
ing games.
More than three months have
elapsed now since johnson was
eased out Of Office "on leave" He
not only has made no move toward
stepping out of the job, but ap.
parcntly has taken up just where
he left off, with disdain for or in
defiance of the wishes OF the own
ers whose employe he Is.
The club owners undoubtedly
are merely waiting now fGr John.
son 80 fulfill the end Of the bar