Evening star., 1951-02-02
Happy Chandler
Due Speak at
Writers Dinner
Many Hall of Fomers
Already on Hand for
New York Gathering
BY The Associated Press

NEW YORK, Feb. 2.-Baseball's S
greatest living players, headed by
the great Ty Cobb and Rogers
Hornsby, took over the town today
as the National League celebrated
its 18th birthday at the Broadway
Central Hotel.
Ceremonies in front of the hotel,
where the circuit was born on
February 7. 1876, were scheduled
for l pm. Ford Frick. president
of the league, was to act as master
of ceremonies and his first chore
was the reading of a message of
greeting and congratulations from
President Truman.
Mayor Vincent Impellitteri was
to be on hand to make dedica-
ton speech and unveil a plaque
sponsored by the New York State
Historical Association.
Whirl of Events.
The birthday party sets in mo-
ton a whirl of events lasting over
the week end that promises to
close the off season in a blaze of
action.
Tomorrow the club owners of
the National and American League
will hold their annual February
meeting, separately. Sunday about
400 guests. including Commis-
sioner Chandler, will attend the
28th dinner of the New York
chapter of the Baseball Writers
Association.
Chandler is scheduled to deliver
a speech at the writer's festival. 1t
is assumed the commissioner will
be available at the league meet
ings. 1t is doubtful whether there
Will be a joint session, since the
agenda does not call for one.
However, the four man, commit
tee, appointed by the two leagues
following Chandler's reputation
last December to screen possible
successors, may request special
meeting of the 16 club owners.
The committee consists of Del
Webb of the Yankees, Ellis Ryan
of the Indians. Lou Perrin of the
Braves and Phil Wrigley of the
Cubs. They may make a prelim-
mary report on their work.
Chandler Speaks in Boston.
The commissioner said in Bos-
ton last night he hopes for fair
play in the American tradition"
in his dispute with the cluboWners.
Chandler, who is fighting to keep
his post, expressed this hope" at
the annual dinner of the Boston
chapter of the Baseball Writers
Association.
Chambers remarks were we'll
received by the gathering and he
drew outspoken support from some
of the other speakers.
Perlni, who never has said how
he voted in the Chandler case
but who has been Jumped with
those owners who would name a
successor to the commissioner
also spoke at the Boston dinner.
These are trying times in base
ball." he said. Everybody here
seems loaded for the commits
sioner."
Perini left directly after the
dinner and could not be reached
for amplifcation or clarifcation
Of his brief statement.
All but seven OF the % living
members of the Hall of Fame were
scheduled to appear today. Among
the first to arrive were Cobb,
Hornsby, Fred Clarke, former out
fielder and manager of the Pirates;
George Sisler, eX-first baseman
and manager of the Browns, and
Charlie Gehringer, who starred
at second base for the Tigers.
Weather conditions were delay
ing the arrival of a majority of
the Is who are to attend, along
with Arlie Latham, at 81 the oldest
living ex-major league player. and
81-year-old John A. Heydler,
former National League presi-
dent.
Others expected include Cy
Young. iris Speaker, Eddie Col
Inns, Hugh Duffy, Carl Hubbell,
Kid Nichols, Pie Traynor, Ed
Walsh. Mickey Cochrane, Mel OFT
and Jimmy Foxx.