The Washington times., 1931-03-28
BALL CHIEFS
MOURN FOR
JOHNSON
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Johnson had been unconscious
since late last night and that
death came quietly shortly after
8 o'clock this morning.
Worked On Newspaper
Although he started out as
lawyer after graduating from
Marietta College in Ohio, johnson
concluded as president of the
American League via the news
paper route.
After spending two years study
ing law at the Cincinnati School
of Law with Charles G. Dawes,
present ambassador to the Court
of st. James, johnson decided ne
was not fitted for the legal pro-
fession and took job reporting
on the Cincinnati Commercial.
Gradually he worked over into
the sports department of his
newspaper until he devoted all of
his time to this phase of news
work. He covered the Sullivan
Mitchell fight, task that in
volved racing through large por-
ton of Louisiana a few jumps
ahead of the law.
Joined League in 1893
Johnson was invited to become
president of the Western League
in 1893. He planned to hold the
job temporarily and then return
to newspaper work. The first of
a series of long battles to oust
Johnson originated with John
T. Brush who headed the In
dianapolis club. He managed to
outwit Brush, but found the task
SO big he gave up newspaper
work entirely.
In 1901 Johnson expanded the
western into the American League
mainly through the financial as
sistance of Charles Sore1's, of
Cleveland. 1t was called
"flighty" scheme by critics at the
time, but a few years saw the
American dominate the field.
johnson obtained valuable aid
from Charles A. Comiskey in his
efforts to build up the league.
Comiskey now heads the Chicago
White Sox. Together they formed
a combination of practical and
executive skill that forced the
National League to sue for peace
in 1908. The result was the ma
tional agreement, a document
under which baseball was ad-
miniStered until the advent OF
the present commissioner, Kene-
saw Mountain Lewis.
Feud With COmiskey
When johnson finally resigned
as preSident-treasurer of the
American League, October II,
1927, and his league elected E. S.
Barnard his successor, resolutions
paying tribute to his success were
adopted by seven club owners.
The Chicago White Sox did not
vote, due to a feud which had
arisen between Ban and Comis-
key.
In his administrative affairs
Johnson ruled with an iron hand.
He gave no quarter and asked
none. He demanded and obtained
respect for his umpireS, whom he
considered authorized representa-
tiveS of the league.
He brooked no disorders on the
playing field and he fought con-
stantly to keep baseball honest
and players upright. With league
funds he was careful to the point
of penuriousness, but he threw
his own money about in a lavish
manner.
Always Got Backing
Frequently his clubs would fall
into financial straits, but Johnson
was always able to produce a new
backer.
In late years johnson suffered
from a foot infection which was
aggravated by Bright's disease
His health gradually declined.
When the old order Of baseball
government changed from the Ma
tional Commission to a commits
sioner he became dissatisfied.
The hostile forces in the league
kept crowding until their efforts,
combined with bad health, brought
his resignation as head of the
American League. johnson went
into retirement endeavoring to
regain his health.
He became seriously i'll several
months ago in st. Louis. Physi-
clans amputated a toe in an
effort to stem the foot infection.