Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-28
HEART ATTACK FATAL

CHICAGO, March 20 (P).-Grief pre-
walls throughout the base ball world
today over the sudden death of Ernest
S. Barnard. president of the American
League. He died late yesterday after
noon. the victim Of a heart attack, at
the Mayo Brothers Clinic, at Rochester,
MINI.
The base ball leader had beea in APP
parently good health until the time OF
the annual meeting of the American
League in New York last December,
when he suffered an attack of inf1u-
enza. He continued his work however,
til the meeting was over. Then he went
to Florida for a brief rest before start
ing his annual inspection tour of the
American League training camps.
Barnards health, however. had not
returned to normal, and he decided to
consult the Mayos, believing he was
suffering from stomach trouble. He
reached Rochester Wednesday. His case
was diagnosed Immediately by special
lists as heart disease. He was ordered
to bed, but was not informed Of the
seriousness Of his condition. He was
resting easily and In apparently no dis
tress when he was seized with q violent
attack and passed away while his wife
was at his bedside talking with him.
Barnard, who was SIS years old, sue
ceeded Byron Bancroft johnson as sec
ond president Of the American League
in November, 1927.
William Harridge, secretary of the
league. left last night for Rochester to
take care Of the funeral arrangements.
Barnard formerly lived in Cleveland
and his burial probably will be held
there Tuesday. He is survived only by
his widow and his mother.
Pending the election of another presi-
dent, the office probably will be ad-
ministered by Frank j. Navin, owner
OF the, Detroit club and vice president
of the league, with the assistance of
Secretary Harridge. Harridge was chosen
secretary at the time of Barnard's cleo
ton and previously had served Ban
johnson as private secretary.
With Cleveland rs Years.
Before his election to succeed johnson,
Barnard had made his home in Cleve-
land, where he was connected with the
Cleveland club of the American League
for 25 years. In 1908 the Cleveland
club named him as secretary of the
team and when James G. Dunn, ma
Jority stakeholder of the club, died a
few years ago, he was elected president.
He retained this position until four
years ago, when the American League
club leaders chose him to succeed
johnson.
Barnard, q quiet man who took his
base ball seriously, had friends all over
the league and his advice and counsel
were highly regarded. He began his
career as a sports editor in Columbus,
Ohio, when he took his first flyer into
professional base hall. With Robert
Quinn, now president of the Boston Red
Sox, he helped organize the Columbus
club OF the Western Association, and in
1901 the owner named him president of
the league. He relinquished this Job,
however, when Columbus joined the
American Association.
In 1908 the Cleveland club named
him as secretary of the club and he
pushed steadily ahead forming new
friends and acquaintance in the base
ball world.
When he resigned to accept the presi-
dency Of the American League he in
terested Cleveland citizens in the pur-
chase of the club and also prevailed
upon Billy Evans, veteran American
League umpire, to lay aside his mask
and chest protector to accept the busi-
ness management of the Indians.
After Barnard assumed the presi-
dency of the American League, the af-
fairs OF the organization were conducted
smoothly. He introduced many innova-
tons, including school for uInpireS, in
which the IL arbiterS could discuss rules
as well as mistakes made during the
preceding season.
Just last December Barnard sprang q
surprise, calling the eight club managers
together for a session in New York. AS
q result of that meeting and his latest
umpires' session, which was held a
month ago ft Is believed there will he
3, better understanding between man
ayers and umplres during the coming
Friends said today that Barnard might
have been huge success as an archi-
tect. He is credited with having
planned the construction of base ball
plants at Cleveland, Detroit, Washing
ton and the Polo Grounds. In addi-
ton, he planned the new Cleveland
Stadium, which will be dedicated next
July. That stadium viii seat 77,000 and
was cherished dream of the dead
American League executive.
Evnnu Praieae BARNARD