The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-03
LANDS TO TALK
 ON POSTWAR
 BASEBALL PLAN
By GLEN PERKINS

United Press Stan COrrespOndent)
 New York, Dec. 3.-(UP)-Judge Kenesaw M. Landis, commissioner of baseball, today was expected to dis cuss post war plans with major league club owners in joint ses- sion concluding basebalPs annual mid-winter meeting-the first held in New York in the past M-years.
 What recommendations the judge will make were not revealed but it was believed that he will touch upon the reabsorption of players who will return from the armed services at the conclusion of the war; night baseball and, possibly, his feeling toward the contracts of players now on the national defense lists of the various clubs. Many owners have expressed their fear that Landis will declare those players free agents.
 The joint session will see the first official discussion of the QueS- tion of using negro players in pro- fessional baseball leagues. A con- mittee from the National Negro Publishers association and other in- terested parties were invited to ap- pear before Landis, club owners of the National and American leagues and the league presidents.
 The judge was not expected to close the major league session with a stormy address such as that de- livered by minor league Czar Judge William G. Bramham, when he ad- iourned the minor league session yesterday.
 Told Elm Off
 Bramham, reelected Wednesday to his third five year term as pres ident of the National Association of Professional baseball league, as- sailed his opponents for their ac- tions during the meeting. Sustained by Landis in his deci- sion to allow the 16 minor league clubs, which did not operate last year but paid dues to maintain their franchises, to vote, Bramham delivered the bitterest official de- nunciation in baseball history. Swept into office by the non-op- erative clubs against the wishes of the three double "A" clubs, the American Association, the Interna- tional League and the Pacific Coast League, who had hoped to elect Frank J. Shaughnessy, Internation- al League president, to the post, Bramham criticized the rebels" for their sub-rosa activity.
 He said that he had been charged with railroading his own reelection by allowing the suspended clubs to vote. He. termed the statements cowardly and challenged any one to prove the reports.
 T advise you,' the judge shout ed, that before you charge me with anything behind my back, you had better investigate your own conduct know exactly what you have been doing and let me warn you that you are sitting on a barrel of T. N. T."
 The comparatively quiet major league separate sessions practically agreed on leaving conditions in a status quo. Both circuits agreed on April 18 as opening October l as closing day for 1944. Previously the American League had favored opening a week later and closing week earlier.
 No Extra Games A proposal that the St. Louis Cardinals be allowed to play more than Knight games was rejected by the National League The Amer ican League had approved the re- quest of the Browns for additional games and Landis may have to de- eide the issue.
 The National agreed upon select ing the members of the All-Star team by vote of the nations fans who will have to purchase war bonds for the privilege of voting.
 In an effort to shorten the play ing time of game the American voted to have pitchers take their turn in the batter's circle before going to the plate, instead of re- maining in the dugout. The Junior League also extended batting prac- tice for visiting clubs from 3O-min- utes to 30, because of northern | training.
 Outside the sessions, the Boston Red Sox announced that George Specs" Toporcer former major league second baseman and long time minor league manager, had been named manager of the farm system, replacing Herb Pennock, who quit to become general man. ager of the Philadelphia Ph1llies.