New Britain herald., 1927-07-23
REALLY MADE BAN
resign OFFICE
Mack and Comiskey Once Backed
johnson to the Limit

Chicago. July 23-Back OF Presi-
dent Ban Johnson's resignation as
heg of the American League is a
! story involving two club owners
who once backed johnson in every
=! detail but who failed him in the
crisis.
Charles Ccmiskey. owner of the
Chicago White Sox. and Connie
Mack, who holds the largest block
of stock in the Philadelphia Athlet-
les, are the men who brought on
the criticism and pressure that
finally caused johnson to step down
and out.
About six weeks ago, as the result
of a near riot at the Philadelphia
grounds, when Umpire Ormsby call
ed a ball hit by Ty Cobb foul that
otherwise would have been a home
run which would have evened the
count and prevented Philadelphia
defeat, johnson and Mack came to
the parting of the ways.
On the umpire's report. johnson
suspended the two outstanding stars
Of the Athletics, Cobb and Simmons.
for an indefinite period. Because of
these two suspensions. the Philadel-
phia club. then travelling at top
speed, went into a slump from
which 1t never recovered.
Connie Mack. for the first time
during his connection with the
American League. took issue with
Johnson. He characterized the sus-
pension as ballyhoo gesture on the
part of the American League head,
since it was his first important de-
cision after resuming office. Mack
insisted the power Of the umpires
was too great. that the players
should be heard in the matter and,
in general, disagreed with Johnson.
A few weeks later Johnson, IN
handing down a decision in an i'm
portant game between the Athletics
and New York. which Mack had
protested, again decided against
Mack. This tended to further widen
the breach between the two.
Owner Comiskcy of the Chicago
White SoX gave no outward sign of
his antipathy toward johnson on his
return as head CT the American
League until Johnsonian ruling
directly affected his ball club.
A few weeks ago Manager Schalll
of the White Sox took issue with
Umpire Owens over a decision. In
registering a protest, it seemed
Schalk either intentionally or acct
dentally scattered dust over the uni
form of Umpire Owens. He was
elected from the game and an in
definite suspension by President
johnson followed.
That was the beginning of the
err Of the johnson rule in the
American League. 1t is said Comisky
Immediately insisted that a meeting
Of the American league owners be
called to settle definitely the status
Of Johnson.
It is understood that Johnson's
fate was sealed prior to the meeting.
If he refused to resign. the league
would retire him on full pay but
take away his active power. In
other words, he would simply be
honorary president with no power
on full pay.
Seeing the handwriting on the
wall, Johnson beat the magnates to
it by rendering his resignation, COM
pensation TO cease on his retirement.
He refused to be gagged" through
money.
It seems rather unfortunate that
the two men who fought side by
side with Ban johnson in establish
ing the American League should be
opposed to him at the close of his
reign.
Those on the inside say that while
johnson may be out Of the Amer-
can League. he is not through with
baseball as one of its dominating
figures. His name is connected
with rumors of an impending third
major league.