Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-23

been created by the activities Of the
president of the American League.
When YOU were dealing promptly
and efficiently with a most deplorable
exception to base balls honorable rec
ord our president sought to discredlt
your action and try to cast suspicion
on the 1924 world series.
'One year ago you made known to
us in his presence various of his ac-
tivitieS, and it was our expectation
and hope that the unanimous action
then taken certainly would operate as
a correction, but on this expectation
and hope we have been disappointed.
I'VE do not extenuate these things
or question their harmful effect on
base ball. However, he has been the
president of our league since it's in
ception, and we ask you again over
look his conduct and accept from us
these guarantees:
Assurances Given Judge.
First, that his misconduct will
cease or his immediate removal from
office will follow.
Second, that legislation will be
adopted that will limit his activities to
the internal affairs of the American
League.
Third, that any and all measures
which YOU may deem advisable to
secure the above will he adopted.
JohnSons contention that the bar
ring of Cobb and Speaker from the
American League for Incompetence,
after intimating i'm an earlier state
ment that charges of a nature much
more grave were involved, is strictly
an American League affair. and not
an inter-league matter is not likely to
be supported by the American League
club owners in view of the fact that
they called Lands into the case.
In any event, as Johnson again has
admittedly criticized Lands. he has
once more violated the pledge to the
commissioner which he signed with
his league members i'm 1921 and which
reads. in part, as follows:
We assure him that each of us
will acquiesce in his decisions, even
when we believe them mistaken, and
that we will not discredit the sport
by public criticism of him or of one
another"
JOlnsOn's One Slim Hope.
Johnson's one slim hope of remain
ing in base ball would seem to be for
him to make a public apology to the
commissioner, to Cobb and Speaker,
his own club owners and the fans.
too--an abject admission that in this
latest outburst he has been all wrong
coupled with some convincing as
Surance that never again will he cliti-
CHE anybody or anything connected
with base ball. 1t is extremely un-
likely Johnson will do that. Ban is
fighter, right or wrong, and If he
runs true to form will stick to his
guns until sunk without trace.
In the. event that Johnson should
disclose at the meeting today that he
holds damning evidence hitherto an
published against Cobb and Speaker,
he will be branded as a Self.confessed
violator of another American League
resolution adopted following the eff.
forts johnson made to have the 1924
world series called off. which read in
part: THAT we firmly believe that
games greatest interest, security and
safeguard for the future lies in the
fullest cooperation between the two
major leagues and Judge Landisr and
that the American League give its
fullest and unqualified support and in
dorsement to Commissioner Lands in
his methods of conduct and leadership
In organized base ball.
Lands Has Ousting Power.
Then, even though the American
League should rally to the support of
It's president he still could be ousted
under the power vested in the com,
missioner in article I, section of the
major league agreement, which states
the punishment for conduct detri.
mental to base ball by leagues, clubs.
employees or players:
- In the case of any official or
smploye of a major league or, ma
or league club, punishment may ex-
end to suspension or removal
The right to decide whether the con-
iuct of any official or employee is detri-
mental to base ball also is vested In
he commissioner, which makes the
ssue clear cut.